plant hire - head to head
Caterpillar vs Kubota
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Caterpillar | Kubota | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United States | Japan |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Excavators across the full size range, Wheel loaders, Dozers, Telehandlers | Mini and compact excavators, Compact track loaders, Compact tractors, Engines used across the plant industry |
| Best known for | Cat mini excavator range | KX series |
Choose Caterpillar if...
The global heavyweight. In UK hire it shows up most at the larger end and on long-term contract hire, where dealer support and machine availability across a whole project matter more than day-rate.
Look at: Cat mini excavator range
Full Caterpillar profile →Choose Kubota if...
The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.
Look at: KX series, U series
Full Kubota profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Caterpillar vs Kubota - common questions
Is Caterpillar better than Kubota?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. The global heavyweight. In UK hire it shows up most at the larger end and on long-term contract hire, where dealer support and machine availability across a whole project matter more than day-rate. The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Caterpillar or Kubota?
Caterpillar: Global dealer network with long-established UK coverage. Kubota: Extremely common in UK hire fleets, particularly at the one to three tonne end.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.