Lake District Contractor Steps Up With New Kubota U145 Excavator

Lake District contractor Jack Dickson has added Kubota’s new U145 14-tonne excavator to his growing fleet, marking the next stage in the development of his groundworks and plant operation.

Still only in his mid-20s, Jack has already built up a strong reputation as an entrepreneurial contractor and experienced machine operator. Based in the Lake District, his business works across Cumbria, the Lakes and over towards the west coast, taking on building works, drainage, forestry contracts and general groundworks.

The latest investment sees Jack move into a heavier weight class with the Kubota U145, a reduced tailswing excavator designed for contractors and fleet operators needing more lifting capacity, reach and digging performance without moving into a full-size heavy machine.

For Jack, the decision is part of a natural progression. Having started his own business four years ago, he has steadily built a compact Kubota fleet around machines that can be kept busy across different types of site work. His current line-up already includes a Kubota KX080, U18-5 and an 8.5-tonne KX085-5, which he was among the first in the UK to receive.

Now, with larger projects coming through the order book, the U145 gives the business the extra size and capability needed to take on heavier work.

“But you can only get away with an eight-tonner for so long, with bigger projects, a larger machine was our next step. That’s why we’ve opted for the U145,” said Jack.

Kubota’s new U145 sits in the competitive mid-weight excavator market and brings the manufacturer into the 14-tonne class. Depending on specification, the machine has an operating weight of between 14.5 and 15.2 tonnes and is powered by a 76.4kW, or 102hp, Stage V diesel engine.

For construction, earthmoving, forestry and plant hire applications, that size class is an important one. It gives operators more digging force, reach and lifting capacity than an 8-tonne excavator, while still offering a level of manoeuvrability that suits tighter rural, residential and commercial sites.

Jack’s machine will be supplied with Kubota’s optional two-piece main boom, the same specification he chose for his KX085-5. It will also be fitted with an Engcon tiltrotator, creating a highly versatile setup for the type of varied work his business carries out.

“The KX085-5 is one of the best machines that you can buy,” said Jack. “With an Engcon on it, it makes it a more versatile machine. And once you’ve had a two-piece boom with the tilt-rotator, you wouldn’t go back.”

That combination of two-piece boom and tiltrotator has become increasingly popular with contractors who need maximum flexibility from a single excavator. For Jack’s business, where machine utilisation is key, the ability to dig, grade, shape, lift and work around obstacles more efficiently makes a real difference to productivity.

The Kubota fleet is used with a wide range of attachments, including buckets, grabs, shears and grapples. That attachment versatility allows Jack and his team of trusted self-employed operators to move between different applications without needing a large number of machines on the ground.

Kubota has equipped the U145 with twin proportional auxiliary circuits as standard, along with quick hitch activation lines. For operators running tiltrotators, grabs and other hydraulic attachments, those features are important for smooth operation and efficient tool changes.

The machine also comes with three operating modes. Super Power mode is designed for maximum operating speed, while Heavy mode is aimed at tougher digging and heavy-duty applications. Auto mode focuses on fuel efficiency, supported by Boom Down Energy Saving, Auto Idle and Auto Shut Down systems.

For contractors looking closely at total cost of ownership, fuel use and machine productivity, those operating modes give the operator more control over how the machine performs across different tasks. On long days of drainage, forestry work, groundworks or loading, being able to match performance to the job can help reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing output when more power is needed.

The U145 can also be specified with or without a dozer blade. For Jack’s type of work, a blade can add extra stability during lifting and digging, while also helping with backfilling, levelling and general site preparation.

Operator comfort and visibility have also been built into the standard specification. The cab features a 7-inch touchscreen monitor, rear and side-view cameras, LED working lights and climate control. For owner-operators and small businesses, those details are not just about comfort; they help reduce fatigue, improve awareness and support safer working on busy or confined sites.

Reliability has been central to Jack’s decision to stay with Kubota. His connection with the brand goes back much further than his own business. Growing up around the family’s holiday park business, Park Cliffe, he spent time around compact machinery from an early age. His father owned several machines over the years, and three generations of the Dickson family have dealt with local Kubota dealer P.V. Dobson.

“As a small business, we rely on our machines and they have to perform,” said Jack. “I have always been concerned about reliability, but we’ve never had any problems with any of the Kubotas.

“Kubota machines are great, but at the end of the day, it’s all about dealer support. Most of our service work goes to P.V. Dobson, they are only 15 minutes away and I’ve been dealing with them since I was a kid.”

That local dealer relationship has clearly played a major role in the continued growth of the fleet. For small contractors and plant operators, parts, service and support are often just as important as the machine itself. A strong dealer can reduce downtime, keep equipment maintained and give businesses the confidence to invest.

P.V. Dobson has watched Jack’s business develop over the years and says the latest Kubota investment is another positive step.

“We met Jack as a young man and over recent years we have been delighted to see his business growing and thriving. It’s great to watch his hard work paying off,” said Aggie Dobson, Director at P.V. Dobson.

“We wish Jack every success for the future and believe the new 14-tonne two-piece boom machine will bring him even more opportunities.”

With an order book stretching well into the months ahead, the new Kubota U145 arrives at the right time for Jack Dickson’s business. The machine gives him the weight, reach, hydraulic capability and attachment flexibility to take on larger projects, while still fitting the practical, versatile approach that has shaped his fleet so far.

For Kubota, the U145 is an important addition to its excavator range. For Jack, it is a tool to unlock bigger jobs, better productivity and the next phase of growth for a young contracting business already making its mark in the Lake District.