Tag Archive for: Kubota

Kubota RTV supports community forest

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Kubota RTV supports community forest: Kubota has formed a partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, part of England’s Community Forests which together form the country’s largest environmental initiative.

For over 25 years the Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been working with local communities, businesses and partners to plant trees and create new woodland across 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes; transforming a landscape once dominated by brick making, mineral extraction and landfill while growing tree cover from just 3.6% to well over 15%. The 12 new Community Woodlands are an extraordinary local resource bringing significant environmental, economic and social benefits to the area. The newest, Queens Wood near Houghton Conquest, also has the honour of being Bedfordshire’s Jubilee Wood, part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Kubota RTV supports community forest

Kubota RTV supports community forest

A core target for creating the Forest is increasing tree cover to 30%, a tenfold increase,

as a means to transform the social, economic and environmental prospects of the area. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust, working with local communities, businesses and partners, has already increased tree cover to over 15%.

At the heart of the forest is the Millennium Country Park, 225ha of woodland, wetland, lakes and meadows. The Park, a fifteen-time winner of the prestigious Green Flag Award welcomes up to half a million people each year, and offers local people and visitors to the area the opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature

It is cared for by a team of five forest rangers who need to travel around 8km of hardened path, 4km of horse trail and numerous tracks to plant and care for trees and maintain wetlands. Kubota has supplied the team with a new RTV X-1140 utility vehicle to help make their work more efficient, safer and more convenient.

The RTV X-1140 is powered by the renowned Kubota engine delivering 24.8hp, and can carry up to four people in comfort plus their cargo, or quickly switch to a two-seater with even more space for tools and equipment.

Senior ranger Nicola Ceconi comments: “We have to be able to travel on grassland and to work on the wetlands outside the season for ground nesting birds; some of the site can only be accessed by this type of vehicle, on foot or bicycle. It’s often muddy and we certainly need off-road capability, yet many of our paths are narrow and we can encounter cyclists or walkers so the compact size of the RTV is an advantage. We rarely need to use four-wheel drive and the Kubota’s low ground pressure is appreciated for the more sensitive landscapes.”

The full-size cargo bed offers plenty of room for tools and equipment, but the team often need to switch back to four-seater mode for jobs requiring more labour.

“It’s a quick and easy swap – when we had our training on this new machine it was good to see how simple it was to convert,” says ranger Lottie Scoltock. “The bed also has a useful hydraulic tipping function for jobs such as mulching flowerbeds.”

Nicola adds that the RTV is driven by all of the members of the team who appreciate its straightforward KVT automatic transmission and is spacious and comfortable to drive.

“It has an open sided cab which is easy to get in and out of and much cooler in summer. We really enjoy having the RTV and it makes our job so much easier.”

Forest of Marston Vale commercial director Grant Sorrell comments: “The loan of the RTV X-1140 by Kubota makes a huge difference to our work. It’s a small team with a significant task so anything that makes us more efficient is a godsend.”

It’s part of a programme of community support by Kubota, which is based nearby at Thame in Oxfordshire.

“The Forest of Marston Vale was identified by our employees as a deserving community organisation to support, and it’s clear to see the tremendous social and environmental benefits it offers for current and future generations,” comments Kubota Tractor Business Unit marketing manager Rob Edwards.  “It is an excellent fit with Kubota’s ‘For Earth, For Life’ ethos. We are delighted to support the team with the loan of the RTV X-1140 which is perfectly at home in this type of application.”

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Kubota launches machine tracking system

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Kubota launches machine tracking system: The U.K and Ireland’s leading mini-excavator supplier, Kubota, has launched a new telematics portal to help construction equipment operators increase machine efficiency and security.

The ‘Kubota Tracking System’ portal enables users to stay informed about the KX080-4a2 machines in their fleet, and can be accessed via a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, meaning the data from a Kubota fleet can be seen anywhere at any time.

Kubota launches machine tracking system

Kubota launches machine tracking system

“As costs in other areas of construction rise, we are trying to develop new ways to help Kubota machine users understand where savings can be made and efficiency increased,” says Rob White, Division Manager, Construction at Kubota UK.

“Our Kubota Tracking System, that’s being launched on the KX080-4a2 initially,  ensures operators can access all the data from their machines at the touch of a button, allowing them to make informed decisions. This includes considerations around servicing times and fleet movement, alongside additional benefits such as increased visibility of machines that helps with security.”

The intuitive and user-friendly portal shares informative data that helps users access operational performance and consider management decisions.

Enhanced security is provided as machine owners can view locations via GPS tracking to oversee the movement of each KX080-4a2 excavator. Furthermore, geofencing is available which allows users to designate specific areas of use for each machine, with the portal notifying you, should that machine leave the area.

The portal provides alerts which show a machine’s faults enabling a fast response and resolution, thus minimising any downtime.

Increased productivity is achievable thanks to the constant review and analysis of real-time parameters of parts such as machine work rate, operating times, actual operation, occupancy rate (as a percentage), idling time, DPF regeneration history, water and oil temperatures, and fuel consumption.

“Having access to all this real-time data provides the opportunity for Kubota excavator owners to really streamline their processes and adapt fluidly to any and all situations,” concludes Rob.

The Kubota Tracking System portal is now available as standard on all Kubota KX080-4a2 excavators and will expand further throughout the range in the future. For more information on the portal, visit: Kubota Tracking System

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Kubota puts operators to test

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Kubota puts operators to test: Operators across the UK and Ireland are being invited to put their machinery skills to the test by Kubota UK, as part of the business’s ongoing celebrations to mark 25 years as the country’s biggest selling mini-excavator manufacturer.

The #Kubota25Challenge is encouraging operators to submit a short video of themselves showing off their niftiest excavator skill while in the cab of a Kubota, with Amy Underwood, aka The Digger Girl, filming her own example to inspire entries

Kubota puts operators to test

Kubota puts operators to test

Entry to the challenge is open until 30th June 2022, with videos to be submitted via direct message on Kubota’s Facebook and Twitter social channels.

Operators should ensure videos are in line with manufacturer guidelines and safe working practices.

Rob White – Divisional Manager, Construction at Kubota UK said: “We can’t wait to put operators across the UK and Ireland to the test this summer with our #Kubota25Challenge. We know there are some highly skilled operators working on sites nationwide, so are confident that the competition is going to be fierce.

“Whether it’s dunking a basketball or taking the top of a bottle, we want operators to let their skills do the talking and show us what they’re made of.”

A final shortlist of entries will be revealed in July with the public deciding the outright winner via voting across social media. The overall winning entry will receive a state-of-the-art Makita radio and exclusive Kubota merchandise bundle.

For more information on how Kubota is celebrating a quarter of a century as the country’s leading mini-excavator manufacturer, visit www.kubota-eu.com.

Full competition terms and conditions available here: https://bit.ly/Kubota-ChallengeTCs

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LX builds on Kubota legacy

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LX builds on Kubota legacy: An ongoing programme of improvements is reaping rewards for Old Fold Manor Golf Club in Hertfordshire, with Kubota’s latest LX compact tractor tasked with helping to manage the impressive workload.

Established 110 years ago, the club has 400 members and a burgeoning academy and junior section.

LX builds on Kubota legacy

LX builds on Kubota legacy

The Par 71 parkland course is mainly on clay which receives plenty of care and attention from course manager Mark Burniston and his team to maintain standards and keep up with a busy programme of in house and outside competitions, with a round of the Clutch Pro Tour and a PGA event among this year’s highlights.

“We’ve had Kubota tractors for many years,” explains Mark, “and some seven years ago added an STV-40 compact. We found it offered much more power for its weight compared to our old L5740, which is still doing good service, and was ideal to use on the greens.”

This year, a new LX-401, which has replaced the ST series in Kubota’s range, joined the armoury and is deployed for eight hours a day, on at least five days a week.

“We use compact tractors for blowing on roughs and fairways, plus we’re spraying once or twice a week,” explains Mark. “Then we have three ‘maintenance weeks’ a year when we can be spreading up to 60 tonnes of sand spreading on greens, approaches and tees, and using a Pro Core, along with monthly sand spreading and coring.”

“The LX is perfect for this as it has lots of power and will help us to keep up; I haven’t seen anything else on the market to compare.”

The 40hp LX-401 has a three-range hydrostatic transmission for easy operation which has proved popular with the club.

“It’s so convenient to drive around the course, and the cruise control is ideal to set a speed for work such as verti-draining and spraying. New features on the LX such as an A/B switch to preselect engine revs also save fuel and wear on the engine when moving between greens,” comments Mark.

He adds that the simplicity of operation makes it ideal for any of the six-man greenkeeping team to get on the tractor and carry out any task required.

“We like the ROPS platform too, it’s much easier to get on and off to refill the top dresser or remove and replace a flag when you are spraying.”

Mark comments that the ST has proved to be highly reliable and will be retained for other work.

“We have our own fitter, but George Browns carry out annual servicing; their salesman David Fisher has provided excellent back up and was able to source the LX very promptly when the committee agreed the purchase.”

Ongoing drainage work is being undertaken to help the course deal with the increasingly unpredictable weather, while it has also benefited from a new irrigation system. Developments are also catering for a new generation of golfer, Mark explains.

“We have a three-hole academy course that has been built on former wasteland, the junior section is being developed by one of the pro team, and we’ve rebuilt the driving range, so there’s plenty of opportunity for new golfers to develop their confidence and skills ready to go out on course. It’s an exciting time for the club, and it’s great to be well equipped to meet the demand.”

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Kubota tractor wins at top equestrian venue

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Kubota tractor wins at top equestrian venue: Equestrian sport is quite literally riding high in Britain – with Team GB winning medals in dressage, showjumping and eventing at the Tokyo Olympics, the passion for horses has never been greater.

Specialist riding arena surfaces have transformed the possibilities for venues wishing to offer training and competition opportunities all-year round, but require regular, skilled maintenance. A leading venue in Leicestershire has invested in a Kubota L-1382 compact tractor to help them achieve this.

Kubota tractor wins at top equestrian venue

Kubota tractor wins at top equestrian venue

Vale View Equestrian offers extensive facilities for all three disciplines: a state-of-the-art all-weather cross-country arena which replicates the terrain and obstacle challenges of a grass course plus its adjacent practice arenas span 2.5 acres. Then there are 66x26m and 70x30m indoor arenas ideal for show jumping and dressage, plus two other large outdoor arenas and a new lunge pen.

“The surfaces have to be harrowed every day, in preparation for events and during them,” explains Julie Hyslop, who founded Vale View Equestrian with husband Mark and daughter Emma Hyslop-Webb. “We have used a quad bike in the past but it lacked the power needed and became unreliable. The special sand mixture contains wax, which makes it difficult to pull through, but we are renowned by the leading riders for the quality of our surfaces, so we have to be able to harrow and level effectively.”

Local Kubota dealer Farmstar had previously supplied an F Series front mower which is used to cut grass areas around the site, so Mark approached the company to source a tractor.

“We were originally interested in a smaller tractor, but Farmstar suggested the 38hp L-1382 and it was the right choice to give enough power to pull the harrow,” he explains. “Yet it is very manoeuvrable with its hydrostatic transmission and power steering – we can even harrow around the jumps during a break in the showjumping competitions to ensure that we are offering the ideal footing to every competitor.”

The tractor is driven by a several members of staff including Olivia Toone and Fran Segalov who have a varied roles in the business, and two part-time groundsmen who set up the arenas with jumps or dressage markers.

“It’s a big plus that the tractor is so straightforward that anyone can drive it,” comments Mark. “Access for daily checks is also very quick and logical.”

While the L-1382 is kept busy with the harrow much of the time, it has also been deployed to move trailers carrying showjumps and portable cross country fences. Emma says that it will be used for a wider range of tasks in the equestrian centre’s grazing paddocks in the future.

“It will be really useful for topping up water troughs, manure clearance and maintenance of fencing in the future.”

“It’s the perfect equestrian tractor in our opinion,” she says.

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