Bull Mini Excavators Offer a Value-Minded Approach to Landscaping Machinery
We’ve talked about a few heavy machinery brands over the years, but Bull is a brand that might be new to you. Bull recently announced it would launch U.S. operations, bringing their mini excavator lineup to American soil. The brand focuses on value, offering lower-cost machinery for contractors, landscapers, and rural landowners. I decided to dive into Bull’s flagship product, the 18-X Mini-Excavator, to see how it stacks up against similar machines from other brands.
BULL 18-X Mini-Excavator Overview
- Operating weight: 3925 lbs
- Max motor power: 20 HP
- Engine: Kubota D902
- Max breakout force: 4145 lbs
- Travel speed: 2.17 MPH
- Chassis width: 42.91 – 52.36 inches
- Track width: 9 inches
- Track length: 60 inches
- Max digging depth: 81 inches
The Bull 18-X Mini-Excavator is equipped with a Kubota D902 diesel engine, which produces up to 20 HP and up to 4145 pounds of breakout force.
It features two speed modes, letting you travel at up to 2.17 MPH. The tracks are 9 inches wide each, and the variable track design gives the unit an overall width of 42.9 inches to 52.3 inches.
This unit includes three buckets (8-inch, 16-inch, and 40-inch), as well as a quick coupler to easily change between accessories. Bull claims a lift height of up to 11.42 inches for its front blade and a max digging depth of 81 inches for its buckets.
Made in the U.S.A.
Bull recently announced that it’s launching U.S. operations with a new American headquarters in Austin, Texas. We’re big fans of American production, especially since a move like this will make it easier for Bull to deliver its lower-cost machinery directly to United States consumers.
Bull is already known for its cost-effective mini excavators, which it offers directly to buyers without the traditional dealer markup. This results in savings of up to 40% compared to the traditional mini excavator price.
Here’s what the owner of Bull Equipment USA, Fredrik Lundqvist, had to say about the recent move:
“Our mission is simple: deliver exceptional equipment without the inflated price tag. High quality doesn’t have to mean high cost. We’re here to level the playing field for small business owners and hard-working Americans.”
How Does it Compare?
Bull stands alongside other heavy equipment brands, including Kubota and Bobcat, in the mini-excavator market. The largest difference between Bull and other equipment brands is price. As mentioned, the direct-to-consumer business model means that your unit will cost less—by up to 40% in some cases!
For comparison, here’s a look at some of the other specs across flagship mini-excavator models from Bull, Kubota, and Bobcat.
| Bull 18-X | Kubota K008-5 | Bobcat E10 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Model: | Kubota D902 | Kubota D722-E4 | Bobcat E10 |
| Travel Speed: | 2.17 MPH | 2.5 MPH | 1.7 MPH |
| Horsepower: | 20 HP | 10.3 | 10.2 HP |
| Weight: | 3925 lbs | 2315 lbs | 2593 lbs |
| Starting Price: | $14,900 | $27,079 | $29,501 |
Final Thoughts
As Bull enters the United States market with a new American manufacturing headquarters, it puts up some steep competition for value-minded consumers. The mini-excavator demand is high for contractors, landscapers, and landowners with a lot of property to maintain. With prices up to 40% lower than brands like Kubota and Bobcat, Bull has a real opportunity to take hold in the U.S.A., especially with their strong track record in international markets. We’re excited to see what Bull will offer for Americans going forward!
