Kubota U45 Mini-Excavator Questions

[walker450]

Anyone know much about the Kubota U45-3 Excavators? Found a 2011 model with 1800 hours, asking proce is 30,000, which seems high until I started looking, and it isn't too far off. It has an angle blade and hydraulic thumb. It is a little beat up but nothing too bad compared to others of similar age. Pre-emissions which is a good thing.

Any information or opinions etc would be appreciated.

 

[hayden]

It does seem expensive for an open station machine. How tight are all the pins and bushings? Depending on how it's been greased, they can get really sloppy and are probably expensive to replace.

 

[walker450]

I plan on looking at it in person next week and will check how sloppy it is.

I found a later model KX057-4 with cab and 3500 hrs for $35,000, but it's 7 hours away from me.

 

[snowninja]

I have a U27-4 cabbed unit and its great, no worry about spinning around and hitting a building or tree due to its inside the tracks house footprint. I wish this model came with a Tilt/Angle front blade..

1800 hrs is not much, 30k is not bad assuming mechanically its good.

 

[walker450]

Thanks for the advice guys. Both machines I mentioned sold before I could get away to look at them.

I found and bought a 2018 KX-040-4 1635 hrs cab thumb 6 way blade for $33k, it has some whiskey dings and needs a few things but I am thrilled with the deal. I plan to make a separate thread about it.

 

[vanskills]

I plan on looking at it in person next week and will check how sloppy it is.

I found a later model KX057-4 with cab and 3500 hrs for $35,000, but it's 7 hours away from me.

I would be all over that, no matter how far it is

 

[walker450]

Thanks, it sold before I could arrange a trip, I found a 2018 KX-040-4 with 1635 hrs cab thumb 6 way blade for $33k so I think I came out good overall. Video here:

 

[mike69440]

I plan on looking at it in person next week and will check how sloppy it is.

I found a later model KX057-4 with cab and 3500 hrs for $35,000, but it's 7 hours away from me.

KX057-4

 

[dsl4me]

Thanks, it sold before I could arrange a trip, I found a 2018 KX-040-4 with 1635 hrs cab thumb 6 way blade for $33k so I think I came out good overall. Video here:

That was a very good deal, IMO. From what I was seeing around me, it would be $10k+ more for that year/hrs.

 

[walker450]

Yes I agree I found a good deal, especially after running it about 45 hours so far, it's as close to prefect as I could imagine. My only gripes are the ones already mentioned, the thumb and bucket pin issue.

I can dig a bunch of dirt in no time, I am so amazed how fast I can do a ton of work. I'm used to doing dirt work with a front end loader and box blade.

 

[dsl4me]

Only had time to unload the -040 today but initial feeling is it's noticeably smaller than my U45 (it is almost 2k lbs lighter). Engine definitely isn't as smooth and I knew right away that it was a 3cyl vs the 4cyl in the U45. Pretty sure the buckets are smaller for the same width but that makes sense because the U45 has a larger QA.

Might set up a little obstacle course with some big weights and see how they compare side/side.

 

[hayden]

The 040 has a 3 cylinder engine? I had assumed it was the same as the 121-3 with 4 cylinders.

 

[dsl4me]

The 040 has a 3 cylinder engine? I had assumed it was the same as the 121-3 with 4 cylinders.

Haven't looked under the hood yet but shows the kx040 has turbo I3 vs the N/A I4 of the U45.

https://www.ritchiespecs.com/model/kubota-kx040-4-mini-excavator

 

[walker450]

I've also noticed the 040 engine isn't all that smooth in mid RPM ranges. Near idle and 80%-full throttle is smooth though.

 

[dsl4me]

So had time to run the kx040 today.
It's lower weight definitely shows compared to the U45. On a flat surface, concrete slab, it does decent compared to U45 but doesn't have the lift power. Where its smaller size really shows is on uneven, hilly terrain. On steep slopes that the U45 feels stable the kx040 felt like it might go over. Lifting at capacity the U45 was also more stable, the longer and wider tracks make a difference. The '040 seems to track faster and is easier on the lawn but some of that could be the style tracks...and lower weight.