Kubota Shows Off New Compact Excavator For Tight Spaces

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Kubota designed its U27-4 to let you dig deeper, even in tight spaces. (Photo courtesy of Kubota.)

Grapevine, Texas,-based Kubota announced a new compact excavator last week at the World of Concrete tradeshow in Las Vegas. The U27-4 is built for digging deeper in tighter spaces.

Dig In, Anywhere

The 1.7-ton U27-4 tight-tail-swing excavator delivers superior maneuverability because the cab sits over the engine and hydraulic pump, unlike larger traditional excavators, which often have a counterweight and engine compartment that swings over the tracks when turning. The U27-4 manages to maintain excellent stability and balance, even when compared to other conventional zero-tail-swing excavators when swiveling 360 degrees. As a result, you can use the U27-4 indoors and between buildings without worrying as much about damaging the machine or structures.

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Operator comfort and safety were top priorities for Kubota when it redesigned its compact tight tail swing excavator. (Photo courtesy of Kubota.)

An Operator’s Dream Machine

Despite its compact size, the U27-4 features one of the largest operator stations in its class. You can get the U27-4 with either an open canopy or an enclosed heated cab. Kubota’s new excavator features dual auxiliary control levers and the operator can manually adjust the maximum oil flow for just the right amount of control to accomplish the job at hand. Kubota is also proud of the U27-4’s ample legroom and flat foot space, a two-speed travel switch for easing dozing operations, ergonomic wrist rests, and a high-back suspension seat combine to make long hours in the machine comfortable and fatigue-free. When it’s time to call it a day, the easy-open gas-assist front side window opens with a feather touch.

Power At The Ready

The U27-4 has a noise and vibration-minimizing Kubota Tier 4 Final-certified D1105-BH diesel engine under its hood, capable of producing 20.8 horsepower. The excavator also has the ability to automatically shift travel speed to accommodate for variations in traction and terrain, giving the operator more control when it’s most needed. The unit features a digging depth of 9 feet 5 inches (2.87 m eters), a bucket digging force of 7,014 pounds (3,181 kilograms), and two variable displacement pumps, which let the operator manage the boom, arm, bucket, and swivel functions, simultaneously.

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Kubota built the U27-4 to make both minor and major maintenance operations easy and fast. (Photo courtesy of Kubota.)

Made With Maintenance In Mind

Kubota built its U27-4 to be durable and easy to work on and maintain. Compartments behind and to the side of the cab offer easy access to the battery, radiator, engine oil cooler, air cleaner, reserve tank, fuel filter, and water separator. The arm and bucket cylinder hoses are housed within the boom to keep them out of harm’s way. The machine also features a travel lock system, which ensures the tracks don’t move during transport or when the machine is stationary. The U27-4’s swivel negative brake is a handy safety feature that ensures that the machine doesn’t turn until and unless the operator is ready to engage this function, even when working on sloped surfaces or when towing heavy loads.

The Kubota U27-4 will begin shipping this spring.

Source: Kubota