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Kubota excavators drive Tiger Plant Hire expansion

Swindon-based Tiger Plant Hire has doubled its fleet of equipment over the last year, with the addition of 14 Kubota midi excavators playing a leading part in that growth. While the company does run micro and mini excavator models, the expansion has mainly been driven by larger 5 and 8-tonne machines, with the majority of the new models being Kubota’s U50-5 and KX085-5.

“We do still go with the 3-tonne Kubotas as well, but that’s where we want to focus our mid-range business going forwards, in 3-8 tonne machines,” said Managing Director Shane Sherbourne.

Tiger Plant Hire now has more than 200 machines in its fleet, working with customers from the south coast to the Midlands, from West London to Cardiff. That includes excavators, site dumpers, telescopic handlers and compaction equipment, all of which are hired on a non-operated basis. Supporting a varied customer base, of utilities, civil engineering contractors and groundworkers, much of Tiger Plant’s work is in long-term hire, with many customers keeping machines for at least 12 months.

“We like to be able to support our customers with longer term project work,” said Mr Sherbourne. “Most of our hires are around the M4 corridor, but we can travel further for existing customers.”

Initially opening its doors in 2016, with three Kubota machines, the company was purchased by John Corcoran in June 2024, with Mr Sherbourne appointed to run the business with around 100 pieces of plant. Mr Corcoran is founder and Managing Director of Tiger Plant’s sister company Advanced Access Platforms.

“I had worked for leading national plant hire companies and I knew a lot about Kubota,” said Mr Sherbourne. “It’s a strong manufacturer and I’ve never been let down by a Kubota machine. Our dealer Boss Plant Sales is fantastic for back-up support too and we know that the Kubotas will have a strong residual value.”

All of the new Kubota excavators have been equipped with B1 telematics systems, from PVS Data. The telematics provide customers with real-time machine operating data, such as working hours, battery levels and machine location. The B1 units also provide Tiger Plant with utilisation visibility, helping to maximise productivity for customers on site. Each machine has a keypad immobiliser, providing additional security and customers can set operating times, to lock down equipment when not in use.

Kubota’s U50-5 weighs in at 4,775kg and is powered by a Stage V-compliant Kubota 40.4kW diesel engine. Automatic DPF regeneration reduces downtime and increased service intervals help to reduce total cost of ownership. With a load-sensing hydraulic system, the machine offers a maximum digging reach of 5.85m and a digging depth of 3.37m. A reduced tailswing design makes it easy to work on confined job sites and a dozer blade delivers additional stability in heavy lifting.

The KX085-5 is currently Kubota’s largest excavator, prior to the launch this year of the 14-tonne U145. With a 46.5kW Kubota diesel engine and a two-pump load-sensing hydraulic system, the 8.4-tonne machine offers a reach of 7.33m and a maximum digging depth of 4.6m. This working envelope makes the machine a popular alternative to larger excavators on constricted urban and housebuilding sites.

Tiger Plant runs its own transport and workshop facilities. “Everyone does everything and that’s what makes our business successful,” said Mr Sherbourne. “We have some really good employees with a lot of expertise and a real can-do attitude.”

Tiger Plant’s excavator fleet includes machines up to 25-tonnes in weight and Mr Sherbourne is keen to try the latest larger models from Kubota when they are available. It would appear that further growth is already in the plan.

“I’ve already asked Boss Plant Sales if I can get a demonstration of the new 14-tonne machine,” he said.

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