Custom Kubota Powers Low-Ground-Pressure Success for Joe Allan & Sons
In the heart of rural Scotland, where terrain can quickly turn from solid ground to deep, soft peat, access can make or break a project. For Drymen-based Joe Allan & Sons Plant Hire and Contracting, the answer came in the form of a heavily customised Kubota KX085-5, a machine re-engineered to tackle challenging low-ground-pressure jobs for utility giant SSE and beyond.
The Glasgow-area firm, under second-generation managing director David Allan, has long been known for its expertise in reaching remote power infrastructure. With a fleet blending both wheeled and tracked machines, Allan sought a crawler excavator that could deliver exceptional reach, stability, and minimal ground impact. After careful consultation with long-time partner HRN Tractors, the decision was made: a KX085-5 with a two-piece boom, fitted with an Engcon tilt-rotator for unmatched flexibility.
Going Beyond Standard
While the standard KX085-5 is a capable workhorse, the Allan team needed something more. Enter Stirling-based low-ground-pressure specialists JCC Group, tasked with transforming the machine into a terrain-conquering asset.
Typically, Kubota’s KX085-5 is equipped with 450mm track pads, with 600mm available as an option. But for Scotland’s softer landscapes, even the wider option wasn’t enough. JCC stripped down the undercarriage, widened the X-frame mountings, and added two additional top rollers per side. This modification lifted the track above the frame, allowing for massive 900mm-wide pads — double the standard width.
The benefits were immediate: ground pressure was dramatically reduced, allowing the machine to float over marshy ground where conventional kit would sink. To complement this, the slew ring turret was raised by 150mm for extra ground clearance, and the dozer blade was extended to match the new track width.
As Allan explained: “The machine has been designed mainly for utilities and some private work. But we’ve been picking up extra work already, as people know that we have the two-piece boom and the tilt-rotate hitch. It’s still easy to move the machine, especially in tight access, as it’s based on an eight-tonner, just with the wider track frames.”
A Legacy of Reliability and Local Support
Joe Allan & Sons has been a family business for nearly five decades. Founded by David’s father, the company now operates nine machines, including other Kubota models, with a tight-knit team of five full-time staff.
Maintaining strong ties with HRN Tractors has been key to the firm’s success. Allan highlighted: “We’ve known Andy (Wilson, Construction Sales Manager) and the team at HRN for years. Service and back-up is always better if you keep it local and we rely on the dealer to look after the Kubota machines. We can cover anywhere up to Perth and across Scotland, and HRN provides the back-up that we need to look after our customers.”
Power, Reach, and Precision
Kubota’s KX085-5 is no stranger to demanding work. Weighing between 8,392kg and 9,097kg depending on configuration, the model comes with either a monoboom offering 7,330mm of reach or, in this case, a two-piece boom stretching that to 7,820mm.
At its heart is a 46.5kW (63.2hp) Stage V turbo-diesel engine, driving a two-pump load-sensing hydraulic system. This setup ensures smooth, simultaneous multi-function operations, enabling operators to run the front attachment while tracking. Two auxiliary circuits are standard, along with an electronically controlled third-line return that kicks in when breaker mode is engaged.
The addition of the Engcon tilt-rotator only adds to the machine’s precision and adaptability, particularly valuable in tight or awkward sites.
Built for the Long Haul
Joe Allan & Sons plans to keep the modified Kubota for at least three to four years, with David Allan often taking the controls himself. He summed it up simply: “I’m really pleased with the conversion. It’s exactly what we needed to access our sites, no matter what the ground conditions.”
This capability is not only vital for SSE utility contracts but also opens opportunities for private sector work in equally challenging environments.
Kubota’s Global Footprint
Founded in 1890, Kubota has grown into a global force in machinery manufacturing. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, and employing over 52,000 people across more than 120 countries, the company produces far more than construction and agricultural equipment.
Its product lines extend into water purification, irrigation, piping systems, building materials, and large-scale infrastructure valves. This breadth of expertise reinforces the brand’s reputation for durable, adaptable solutions, qualities clearly reflected in the KX085-5.
A Model for Adaptability in Plant Hire
The collaboration between Joe Allan & Sons, HRN Tractors, and JCC Group offers a textbook example of how plant hire operators can tailor equipment to niche demands. In industries where downtime and access challenges can erode profits, investing in bespoke machinery can deliver a competitive advantage.
From SSE’s remote power line projects to private construction sites deep in Scotland’s softer soils, this customised Kubota is proving that a well-thought-out modification can extend capability, reduce site impact, and create fresh business opportunities.
Looking Ahead
By blending robust equipment with precision engineering, Joe Allan & Sons has positioned itself for continued success in one of the UK’s most demanding operating environments.
The customised KX085-5 is more than just another excavator, it’s a statement of the company’s commitment to innovation, local expertise, and customer service.
With strong dealer support, a legacy of reliability, and machinery adapted for any terrain, the firm’s future looks firmly rooted, no matter how soft the ground beneath.
