plant hire - head to head
Kubota vs Takeuchi
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.
| Kubota | Takeuchi | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Japan | Japan |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | Mini and compact excavators, Compact track loaders, Compact tractors, Engines used across the plant industry | Compact excavators, Track loaders |
| Best known for | KX series | TB series |
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 →Choose Takeuchi if...
Credited with building the first compact excavator, and still a specialist rather than a full-line manufacturer. Operators tend to rate the hydraulics, and fleets buy them where a machine will be worked hard all day.
Look at: TB series
Full Takeuchi 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.
Kubota vs Takeuchi - common questions
Is Kubota better than Takeuchi?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. 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. Credited with building the first compact excavator, and still a specialist rather than a full-line manufacturer. Operators tend to rate the hydraulics, and fleets buy them where a machine will be worked hard all day.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Kubota or Takeuchi?
Kubota: Extremely common in UK hire fleets, particularly at the one to three tonne end. Takeuchi: Well represented in UK hire fleets and among groundworks contractors.
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.