Head to head
Kubota U55-4 vs Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)
The Kubota U55-4 has 16kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Kubota U55-4 has 16kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U55-4 | Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 46PS | 18.1 kW / 24.3 bhp at 2,000 rpm |
| Operating weight | 5400kg | - |
| Payload | - | 3,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 2,250 kg |
Sources: Kubota U55-4, Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel). Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the U55-4 if...
- you want one that has 16kW more power
A midi excavator for groundworks, utilities and landscaping contractors. At 5.4 tonnes it arrives on a lorry rather than behind a car.
Full U55-4 specifications →Buy or hire the MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) if...
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Power Swivel, badged MACH2080, is the step-up size from the 1 tonne class and a standard fixture on larger UK groundworks and civils sites needing higher payload per cycle. Its power swivel skip rotates independently of the direction of travel, letting the operator tip to the side without turning the whole machine around. It is hired alongside excavators of a similar class to keep material moving off the dig face.
Full MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U55-4 and the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)?
The Kubota U55-4 has 16kW more power. The Kubota U55-4 is a midi excavator, 3 to 6 tonnes; the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) is a a 3 tonne payload swivel-skip site dumper.
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