Kubota Danish distributor, V. Løwener converted a 7-year-old, 2.6-ton diesel-powered Kubota into an electric machine.
Aarhus Municipality’s contractor unit has several older machines in its fleet. One of them, a 2018 Kubota U27-4 mini excavator, has been sent for conversion at the importer V. Løwener A/S in Skanderborg, where the old diesel engine is being replaced with a new electric motor.
“We see this as an exciting and environmentally responsible opportunity to give an older, polluting machine a new and greener future. At the same time, it’s a cost-effective alternative compared to buying a brand-new machine,” says equipment coordinator Trine Henriette Skovsbøl from the contractor unit in an interview with Maskinteknik.
The project serves as a pilot initiative, and if it proves successful, more machines may undergo the same transformation.
Inspiration from Bauma
A visit to Kubota’s booth at Bauma sparked the idea, aligning perfectly with Aarhus Municipality’s ongoing focus on green transition.
“After discussions with Løwener’s team at Bauma, we decided to test this out. The machine is a pilot project, and if it performs as expected, more machines will follow,” Skovsbøl explains.
First of Its Kind in This Size
The mini excavator has approximately 4,000 hours of operation, and Skovsbøl anticipates that with the new motor, it will serve another five to six years.
Improved Comfort
Despite its seven years of service, the Kubota U27-4 remains a robust machine with plenty of life left.
“With the new electric motor, along with replacement hydraulic hoses and bushings, it will look almost new,” says Jensen.
The conversion is expected to take about a week.
“There’s no major engineering trick involved. Everything stays within the original frame, so we don’t need to alter the dimensions. Once the old engine is removed, we inspect everything behind it, replace worn-out parts, and get it ready for delivery,” he explains.
At Løwener, the team is eager to take on the project.
“We have previously performed similar conversions on smaller mini excavators, but this is the first time we are upgrading a machine in the 2.6-ton class,” says sales manager Claus Mailand Jensen from V. Løwener.
Jensen also notes that the operator is excited to receive the excavator in its new, greener form.
“It’s not just about achieving an emissions-free operation. The comfort improves as well—less noise and fewer vibrations make for a more pleasant work environment, along with the benefit of a cleaner conscience,” he says.
Environmental Certification Aarhus Municipality has two other similar Kubota models that may also undergo the same transformation if this pilot project proves successful.
Once the old engine is removed, it is drained of oil and disposed of responsibly. V. Løwener provides Aarhus Municipality with a certification to confirm the environmentally friendly handling of the process.
By Torben JASTRAM – 5 June 2025
