Heavy Equipment

Kubota Unveils KX040-5 Mini Excavator with Upgrades

The KX040-5 provides more foot and headroom, plus better visibility.

Updated on

February 18, 2025

Kubota KX0405 excavator — Kubota’s new 4-ton KX040-5 excavator. (Photo: Kubota)

Kubota has introduced its next-generation 4-metric-ton excavator, the KX040-5, offering improved features, performance, and operator comfort.

This compact machine, powered by a 40.3-horsepower Kubota engine, comes equipped with a revamped hydraulic system, a more spacious and quieter cab, and advanced controls for easier operation.

The KX040-5 is also part of Kubota’s refreshed Dash-5 series, sporting the brand’s updated black and orange colour scheme.

The new hydraulic system is one of the excavator’s key features, allowing multifunction operation. Operators can now move the boom while travelling, making it more efficient when using attachments like mowers.

“The auxiliary hydraulic flow can be easily adjusted on the 7-inch colour LCD touchscreen,” said Bill Holton, Kubota’s product manager for construction equipment.

“This system lets operators switch between one-way and two-way flow, making the machine more versatile out in the field.”

The load-sensing hydraulics also ensure smooth and efficient performance, with proportional flow control available through a thumb-operated switch on the joystick.

A significant enhancement in the KX040-5 is the improved cab design. It offers increased foot and headroom, as well as better visibility, thanks to larger glass windows.

“For operators working in tight spaces, the front glass can be lifted up and out of the way, or the bottom pane can be removed and stored inside the cab,” Holton added.

Kubota has also reduced the noise level inside, making this one of the quietest machines in its class, which helps reduce operator fatigue.

During its debut at the World of Concrete 2025, the KX040-5’s features were put in the spotlight, including keyless entry and a start system that can store up to 10 passcodes, LED work lights with a delay function for better job site visibility, and USB charging ports.

Options like an air-suspension seat and a rearview camera enhance the excavator’s appeal.

“The KX040-5 was developed with the needs of rental, construction, landscaping, and utility customers in mind,” Holton said. “It’s versatile enough for tasks like clearing trails or building ramps for action sports, in addition to traditional construction applications.”

With an operating weight ranging from 9,182 to 10,075 pounds, a dig depth of over 11 feet, and the ability to deliver up to 17.2 gpm of auxiliary hydraulic flow, the KX040-5 is a robust, capable machine designed for demanding jobs.

The excavator is expected to arrive at dealerships soon.