I received my brand new 2021 Kubota U-35 excavator for the ranch right before the worst blizzard in 40 years hit Texas. We already had a major ice storm the day before, but little did I know how bad it would actually get. We have been in single digit temperatures without power for 48 hours, but I know many people have it much worse. We, at least, had a generator and stay fairly well stocked and prepped for a disaster. We did our best to help our neighbors in need and avoided significant damage to our home. Thank God!
Now back to the new toy...I have been in love with excavators since I was a kid and now have my own!!!
We will be using this for demolition, ditch cleanup, grading, tree removal, trash collection, pond maintenance and other general ranch chores. Options include angle blade, hydraulic thumb, 24 inch toothed bucket, 36 inch grading bucket, and 24 inch demolition rake. I will probably buy a 12 inch toothed bucket for precise grabbing and debris removal.
I have filmed enough work for the first two videos, and I can say the U-35 is perfect. I really wanted a bigger machine and was concerned about power, but even at only 50% throttle for the first 50 hours of break-in, the power is there. I spent $15K less than the next size up machine, and that doesn't include the extra $8k I would have had to spend for an additional trailer. No CDL needed to tow. Kubota, BY FAR, has the best dealer network. I really wanted a Yanmar Vio50, but there just aren't any dealers close by and the one I did speak to estimated 12-14 weeks for delivery. That's just unacceptable. The Takeuchi dealer close by was an absolute charlatan and also had no inventory with an anticipated June delivery date. This dealer went so far as to say if I didn't buy a machine from them, that they may not be able to provide any warranty work!!! WHAT?!?! Crazy!
The cost of a similar CAT was $15k MORE expensive than the Kubota, and I was not impressed with the way they spec'd and sold their machines. Way too many variables and needed add-ons to even get close to the standard Kubota. John Deere from Dallas to Houston wouldn't call back or answer emails and Bobcat never did return emails or a phone call for two weeks. Both also had no inventory. By the time the did respond, I had already purchased my Kubota. Going forward, I doubt I would ever deviate from a Kubota product. If I end up wanting a bigger machine, and Yanmar is available and supported, I would probably go that route just for the zero-tail swing. I am not sponsored nor am I reimbursed by anyone for the content on my channel. Kubota cannot be beat for all around product quality and the dealer network. That is not to say some dealers aren't sketchy and I have certainly had some significant issues with one dealership, but at this point it's water under the bridge and we are all on good terms.