Kubota releasing 2 tracked skid steers

[Tags]

I went to the Massachusetts construction show last week and talked to a Kubota dealer about the rumors of Kubota coming out with a skid steer. He confirmed that they will be unveiling them at their dealer meetings in October of 08' and should be available for purchase in late winter,early sping 09'. He also said they will be designed by Kubota from the ground up, including the track system. There will be two models to start, a 60HP model and a 80HP model. Sounds pretty interesting to me, Kubota puts out a nice, well thought out product.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

That is interesting news. I knew that it was going to happen but I didn't know when.

I hope that Kubota did their market research and have realistic market share goals because the North American skid steer market has been historically difficult to penetrate. JCB, Komatsu, John Deere, and Toyota can attest to that.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I am sure Kubota's quality will more than outshine some of the existing manufactures. I say go for it!!!!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Kubota has a really good track record with bringing out new products. I can't recall the last time a new model has fallen short of our expectations, and ordering volumes.

 

[Cat_Driver]

First year track system, no thanks.

Talk to me after three or four generation, like ASV, and CAT have gone through.

I don't want to be a beta tester for a new track system.
Granted Kubota is first rate, but there is a learning curve, just not on my dime.

Heck even Deere had a huge problem with their units and when they changed design mid stream, to improve them, the early adopters were told, sorry, when they wanted their units retrofitted with the redesigned better doors etc.

 

[Gamma]

First year track system, no thanks.

Talk to me after three or four generation, like ASV, and CAT have gone through.

I don't want to be a beta tester for a new track system.
Granted Kubota is first rate, but there is a learning curve, just not on my dime.

Heck even Deere had a huge problem with their units and when they changed design mid stream, to improve them, the early adopters were told, sorry, when they wanted their units retrofitted with the redesigned better doors etc.

I have to agree with you, I'd never buy the first year model of anything. A car, truck, diesel engine or whatever... I'll wait for it to be out a year or two and then consider purchasing it after doing research about it on the internet in such forums as this one.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I'll second that motion. I'm sure that after a short time they will be competitive to CAT and Bobcat ...ASV.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

First year track system, no thanks.

You'd think that, fact is Kubota's done a heck of a lot of track systems. In Japan, most of their fields are rice patties. They have had a full line of tractors from 20-125Hp all with factory designed tracks. The M8540 Power Krawler is the first of those to make it to the USA. While a skid steer is different and tracks are a real art, I've got no doubt they'll get that right.... they may have trouble in some other areas, but not tracks.

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Sure they make a great tractor but i agree waiting - track system guinea pig i wish not on anyone....

 

[undercutter]

Surely they've learned something from their line of excavators.... ???

 

[john_bud]

You would have thought that same thing from CAT?

jb

 

[machmeter62]

Just like all the Kubota products, it will probably be a quality product out of the gate; adding, or forcing a new level of competition, like the rest of their tractors with the consumer benefitting?

 

[dirtworksequip]

I'm not sure that the " I wouldn't buy anything first year out" is a reason not to purchase a machine you need. If you just "want" one then go ahead and wait for the bugs to get worked out. Although all the bugs almost never get worked out. There will always be room for improvement.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Tags]

Just like all the Kubota products, it will probably be a quality product out of the gate; adding, or forcing a new level of competition, like the rest of their tractors with the consumer benefitting?

I would have to agree with that statement. The track system that Cat uses from ASV is still not perfect, it is good, but by far the most fragile of em' all. I bought a B series 287 and had tons of seal and torsion bar issues that I had to fight with Cat to stand behind. I would buy a first year Kubota than a third generation Cat with yet ANOTHER "new" style undercarriage.

 

[Maka]

Since most including Cat have just put tracks on a wheeled machine and they were not really designed as a track machine you will see these types of things more often. We sell lots of ASV and just don't see these types of problems.

Build it as a tracked machine from scratch and it will be better than a machine that is an after thought I am sure. Having said this, if Kubota is building one and it is a track design from the get go I think it will have some advantages over a design that was wheeled and converted. So to Kubota this is good. On the flip side of that I bet it will start off very expensive and will surely have to go through a period of use, design updates etc. to be competitive.

I am looking forward to seeing it however. Will they come up with any real new innovation? Well Kubota is good but this will be a new arena for them and it won't be easy.

Maka

I would have to agree with that statement. The track system that Cat uses from ASV is still not perfect, it is good, but by far the most fragile of em' all. I bought a B series 287 and had tons of seal and torsion bar issues that I had to fight with Cat to stand behind. I would buy a first year Kubota than a third generation Cat with yet ANOTHER "new" style undercarriage.

 

[garyfisher123]

And guys don't forget that some of the Volvo Skid Steers use a Kubota engine. I would think that some Kubota engineers had to have some input/experience with that.

 

[RobJ]

you have to know where to look..

繧ｯ繝懊ち 繝九Η繝ｼ繧*繝ｳ繧ｰ繝悶Ν

繧ｯ繝懊ち髮ｻ霎ｲ繧ｹ繧ｯ繧ｨ繧｢

 

[Digdeep]

I'm definitely not an agricultural guy but why would you put tracks on the back (other than traction)? I do know that the first thing you lose sight of in wet fields are the front tires right after they sink into the mud. I can't see it doing much for reducing soil compaction either which is what the CAT Challenger was designed for (increased traction too).

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Those tractors are for rice patties. They've sold track machines in Japan for like 15 years. Like I said, tracks are not a new thing. Infact all the technology in a track machine is somthing they already use in other products. My only concern is aux hydraulic flow. They never seem to completly get how much flow is needed for some of our attachments.

 

[TMTS]

I share your concerns about aux. hydraulic flow..."Give me MORE MORE MORE"

I combine the flow on my ASV 4810 and get in the mid-40's GPM...but I feel like I always want MORE!

Guess its time for a FECON 148

-TMTS