plant hire - head to head
Develon vs Komatsu
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.
| Develon | Komatsu | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | South Korea | Japan |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | excavators, wheel loaders, mini excavators, articulated dump trucks | Excavators, Wheel loaders, Dozers |
| Best known for | DX17Z-7 | PC series |
Choose Develon if...
Develon is the construction equipment brand name that HD Hyundai Infracore adopted in January 2023 to replace Doosan on its excavators, wheel loaders and mini excavators. In the UK it is sold through the same established plant dealers that previously sold the range as Doosan, so parts, service and dealer relationships carried straight over. Hire companies and civils contractors buy Develon mini and midi excavators as a value-oriented alternative to JCB, Kubota and Volvo CE.
Look at: DX17Z-7
Full Develon profile →Choose Komatsu if...
A full-line manufacturer strongest in the mid and heavy excavator classes. Turns up in UK hire mainly through larger fleets and civils contractors rather than local tool-and-plant shops.
Look at: PC series
Full Komatsu 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.
Develon vs Komatsu - common questions
Is Develon better than Komatsu?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Develon is the construction equipment brand name that HD Hyundai Infracore adopted in January 2023 to replace Doosan on its excavators, wheel loaders and mini excavators. In the UK it is sold through the same established plant dealers that previously sold the range as Doosan, so parts, service and dealer relationships carried straight over. Hire companies and civils contractors buy Develon mini and midi excavators as a value-oriented alternative to JCB, Kubota and Volvo CE. A full-line manufacturer strongest in the mid and heavy excavator classes. Turns up in UK hire mainly through larger fleets and civils contractors rather than local tool-and-plant shops.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Develon or Komatsu?
Develon: Sold in the UK by established plant dealers such as Lloyd Ltd, T H White Construction and Blue Group, who previously carried the same machines under the Doosan name. Komatsu: Established UK dealer support, more common on larger sites than in general hire.
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.