Kubota took the wraps off its first-ever entrant into the stand-on track-loader market at the 2020 ConExpo-Con/Agg tradeshow in Las Vegas. The new SCL1000 is the smallest machine Kubota has ever made in its construction-equipment business, according to Tom Burton, director of construction equipment. “It’s our baby,” he said, noting that the loader’s rated operating capacity of 1,000 lb (454 kg) will meet the demands of landscape contractors and rental yards.

The company has spent the past three years developing the new 3,000-lb (1,360-kg) machine. “While we took our time to engineer our inaugural product in this segment, the SCL1000 truly is a testament to that commitment, specifically filling the requests from contractors in the marketplace,” said Tim Boulds, Kubota construction-equipment product operations manager. “We’re excited that Kubota can now compete in this segment with the SCL1000.”

The new SCL1000 features a standard 9.8-inch (250-mm) track. The machine’s overall width is 36 in. (914 mm). The wide-track design, with a rating of 4.0 psi, is low impact and minimizes damage to lawns and landscaping. The undercarriage is welded to the mainframe of the body, and the grease track tension design includes sealed oil bath rollers for less maintenance and greater durability.

A 3-cylinder turbocharged Kubota diesel engine generates 24.8 hp (18.5 kW) and enables lower-rpm operation to reduce noise and improve high-altitude performance. No diesel particulate filter is required. A hydraulic pump connected directly to the engine reduces maintenance. The loader arms have a hinge pin height of 84.7 in. (2,151 mm) and a reach of 25.9 in. (658 mm) at a 45° dump angle. Kubota claims a best-in-class travel speed of 5.1 mph (8.2 kph) for the SCL1000.

“Why’d we go vertical lift instead of radial? We did that so we would have better reach as opposed to more ground-engaging applications,” Burton said. “When we’re ground-engaged, we’re just like radial – we’re all the way in the down position. However, when we go ahead and extend, that’s where you need reach especially on a small machine.” Cushioned loader boom cylinders and an adjustable platform suspension system help to enhance operator comfort.

The loader comes standard with a keyless start with passcode protection, 12-volt charging port and a 4.3-inch LCD color dash monitor. Six attachments will be available at launch, including a bucket, 1,200-lb-rated pallet forks, 6- to 24-in. augers, 48-in. power rake, and three different trenchers (30-, 36- and 48-in.). The SCL1000 will be available for $34,000 at select U.S. Kubota dealers in the third quarter of 2020. The company expects to sell a couple hundred units this year, Burton said, and about 500 per year starting in 2021.