Kubota Adds Skid-Steer Loaders for 2015

Kubota Tractor Corporation has announced the addition of two rubber tire skid-steer loaders to their construction equipment lineup for 2015. The new SSV65 and SSV75 skid-steer-loaders are built from the ground up by Kubota and feature Kubota-built Tier 4 Final diesel engines.

Preliminary specifications (subject to change) rate the SSV65 at 64 engine horsepower, with a 1,950 lb. rated operating capacity and 4,839 lb-ft. breakout force. The more powerful SSV75 comes in at 74.3 horsepower, with a 2,630 lb. rated operating capacity and 5,884 lb-ft. breakout force.

Both the SSV65 and SSV75 will be available with an innovative overhead front door, which allows for easy access to the operator station regardless of the position of the loader or the materials in front of the equipment. Other features include multi-function handles for high-flow machines, a side light feature, and optional high-flow hydraulics.

The SSV65 and SSV75 mark the first entry for Kubota into the skid-steer loader market, but Kubota is no newcomer to the construction equipment market. The SSV series will be sold along side Kubota’s track loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, and construction TLBs. Kubota’s direct experience with compact loaders is also signifanct, having launched the SVL compact track loader in 2010, and achieved success with that product line.

During Kubota’s press briefing at the 2014 Kubota Dealer Meeting in Nashville, TN, Kubota Corporation president Masatoshi Kimata said that Kubota currently sells approximately 3,000 units per year of the SVL series. “I strongly believe we can recreate this wonderful success again with the skid-steer loader.

“The launch of the skid steer loader means that we now have a full lineup of construction equipment including skid steer and compact loaders,” said Mr. Kimata.

Kubota recognizes the importance of the skid-steer loader product line, which spans multiple markets and has many overlapping customers with Kubota’s existing landscape and construction customers, as well as the agricultural customers they hope to earn with the new M7-series mid-range ag tractor line. To that effect, Mr. Kimata said, “The skid-steer loader is used not only in the construction market but simultaneously for the agriculture market.”

With the launch of the SSV65 and SSV75, Kubota will cover nearly 50% of the skid-steer loader market. In the future, Kubota plans to roll out additional skid-steer loader models to cover more of the market, but the initial size and horsepower offerings appears to be a smart strategic move to reach a large number of potential customers with just two models.

The SSV65 and SSV75 will go on sale in mid-2015.