Building contractor and plant hirer A.C. Nurden Ltd has added an 8 tonne Kubota KX080-3 model to its fleet, maintaining a 27-year connection with the world leading mini excavator manufacturer.

The Malmesbury, Wiltshire, business has been a Kubota user since it was established in 1980, and has operated an all-Kubota mini fleet for the past 15 years. It was one of the first companies to buy a Kubota mini excavator after the Japanese company entered the UK market in 1979.

Amongst its 30 strong fleet of Kubota machines are models ranging in size from 0.85 up to 3 tonne, plus the latest 8 tonner which is hired out with an operator.

Managing Director Andy Nurden said: "I had a 7 tonner from another manufacturer a few years ago for a specific hire contract project, but when it was over we had trouble hiring it out and I got rid of it. Times have changed and there's now a growing demand for 7 and 8 tonne machines."


It was purchased from Kubota distributor Harper Plant, of Salisbury, who supplied it with a set of rubber pads in addition to the standard metal tracks. This gives it added versatility, with the metal providing excellent traction on muddy soil and the rubber tracks used on tarmac.

The KX080-3 has recently been on hire carrying out site excavation work for light industrial workshops being built in the Wiltshire countryside.

It's the largest machine in the Kubota range, a high performance 8 tonner that offers state-of-the-art technology as standard. It provides class-leading performance, with exceptional safety, durability, reliability and comfort, together with low running costs and ease of servicing.

Standard features include Kubota's unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' system to combat the increasing theft of construction plant, and a new adjustable maximum oil flow on the auxiliary circuit to optimise the use of attachments.

It delivers a reduced rear-tail swing radius that takes it into the tightest spots, coupled with improved machine stability. The rear overhang features cast-iron protectors to significantly reduce the chances of damage to the machine when working in restricted space.

Easy access is provided to all the critical service points, which are conveniently located underneath three bonnets.