As the company’s plans for the bauma trade show gather pace, 2022 marks a centenary of engine manufacturing by Kubota.
Kubota Corporation was founded in 1890 by Gonshiro Kubota in Osaka, Japan. The roots of the company go back to the time of the industrial revolution, when many technical developments took place that still influence our lives today. While the initial focus was on manufacturing cast-iron pipes for water supply lines to contain and prevent the spread of infectious diseases with clean drinking water, the company introduced its first kerosene-powered engine in 1922.
Foundry technology remains one of Kubota’s mainstays. All crankcases and cylinder heads for engine construction come from the company’s own foundry.
Experts there continuously meet new casting challenges from engine designers with a focus on consistently high quality and precision, even in the large-scale production of complicated castings.
In 1922 Kubota added engine-making to its already well-established product line and over the following 100 years the company has expanded to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of compact engines.
The first to be developed by Kubota was the Type A – a three horsepower engine for agricultural applications.
Over the years the company has grown enormously with many new engines running on various fuels such as diesel, natural gas, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and has also achieved notable landmarks over the decades including in 1993 Kubota developed the D1105-E diesel engine that became the world’s first off-road engine under 25 horsepower to pass CARB ULGE emissions regulations.
Daniel Grant, Manager, Marketing Intelligence Business Unit Engine Europe, Kubota UK, said: “This is a time for Kubota’s engine business to recognize and reflect on how engine development has progressed over the past 100 years.
“It is also satisfying to recall how our products have played a role in helping companies, and countries, to grow both economically and socially often through difficult and demanding periods of history.
“Kubota engines have helped global equipment makers to develop more efficient, environmentally-friendly machines for sectors such as agriculture, construction, power generation and for applications such as turf equipment.”
Although better known for its smaller, compact engines in 2017 Kubota announced the development of its first large-displacement engine – the V5009 – capable of delivering up to 157.3 kW (210.9 horsepower).
Throughout the years Kubota has also been at the forefront of the development of new technologies aimed at reducing harmful emissions and improving engine efficiency such as Cooled Exhaust Recirculation, Common Rail Systems, Diesel Oxidation Catalysts and particulate filters.
At the bauma trade show (Munich, Germany, October 24-30, 2022) there will be a digital presentation (100 Years of Kubota Engine 1922-2022) for visitors to the Kubota booth. Hall A4, Stand 327.
Grant added: “Engine development has changed enormously over the past 100 years and, no doubt, will continue to do so over the next century.
“At Kubota we aim to ensure we continue to make a positive contribution to society around the world in many ways and play our part in helping to achieve effectual and sustainable growth and meet societies’ needs.”
