by Nick Drew | Thu 17 Sep 2026
Takeuchi’s TB3150 Gets the Digging with Dave Treatment
I have long been a fan of Takeuchi’s largest hydraulic excavator featuring an off-set boom. The Japanese manufacturer’s first soiree into this sector was in 2003 when they revealed the original TB1140 model during Intermat in Paris. The machine officially went into full scale production in 2004.
I had one for a week back in the day from my local dealer CBL Plant Sales, and absolutely loved the flexibility the machine offered, and of course it had the legendary smooth controls that Takeuchi has built its reputation on, various upgrades have taken place since, with the TB1140-2 and the TB2150, and now the model has joined the 3-Series range with the TB3150, I have often referred to these machines has a mini excavator on steroids and I still stand by that statement!
The machines are quite unique in the wider scheme of things, and I only know of one other manufacturer who produces anything similar, and that would be Wacker Neuson with their ET145 model, but they seem to be as rare as hen’s teeth in the UK at least.
Takeuchi’s offerings are more of a common sight on UK construction sites to be honest, and are especially useful on tight congested job sites, where end users still need the reach, power and versatility that these game changing machines can offer.
I have not had the opportunity to put the TB3150 to the test yet, but having spent a shift on the TB3150R model on site in Wigan with Dave previously, I have no doubt that it will be another winner in the product range.
You cannot beat machinery reviews from real life industry people like Dave, who, like myself, has spent most of his life in the seat of a digger putting in the long hours and getting grease, dirt and diesel on his hands, that's where the credibility really kicks in! So without further ado let’s join Dave, as he gives us hist thoughts and opinions on the new model in his cracking video review, it looks like he has been investing in some serious camera kit, to up the production quality, fair play to you mate!