We went to the Dublin Mountains to check out the first 15 tonne Kubota U145 sold by FJS Plant in Ireland operating for Mr Digger..
Purchased from FJS Plant, the new unit is the latest addition to Matthew Giltrap’s “Mr. Digger” outfit. And he is one very satisfied customer. When we arrived the 145 was hard at work completing a site clearance and resurfacing an access road on a site in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.
We asked Matthew about his new machine and company in general…
So basically, we are a site preparation and site clearance contractor based, I’m 23 years of age and the company was founded in 2021.
We run a fleet of Scania trucks from tippers, grab trucks and artics equipped with tipping trailers and low loaders. Our machines range from 0.8 tonne to 16 tonne ( all Kubota).
The 145 is purely our best investment, the zero swing allows us to work in tighter sites in Dublin whilst having the ability of a full sized machine, equipped with its twin auxiliary’s it allows us to use all of our attachments such as 360 rotating demo grabs, breakers etc., we decided to upgrade the tracks with rubber pads to allow us to track on the road with minimal damage.
Our specialty’s are site clearance, grab hire, aggregate supplies and haulage.
At just 23 years of age, many entrepreneurs are only beginning to find their footing. Yet since founding the company in 2021, we have established ourselves as one of Dublin’s emerging specialists in site preparation, site clearance, waste management, haulage and aggregate supply, building a reputation founded on reliability, investment and a determination to deliver the highest standards on every project.
Operating throughout Dublin and the surrounding counties, the business has grown steadily by focusing on what matters most: providing clients with the equipment, expertise and support needed to keep projects moving efficiently from the earliest stages of development.
FJS Plant has become the first Kubota dealer in Ireland to sell the new Kubota 145 excavator, marking an important milestone for both the dealer and the manufacturer. The arrival of the larger machine demonstrates Kubota’s ambition to move into a new sector of the excavator market, backed by a dealer with an excellent reputation across Ireland.
FJS Plant has built its business around providing customers with outstanding service, knowledgeable advice and dependable parts and technical support. That strong aftersales commitment gives customers confidence that they are buying not only a quality machine, but also the backup needed to keep it working and earning.
STEPPING UP
The Kubota U145 isn’t just another addition to a fleet; it’s the moment Kubota decided to stop asking if it could compete in the 14-tonne weight class and instead decided to show up and change the locks. If you’ve spent any time around construction sites in Ireland, you’re likely familiar with the reliable hum of a smaller Kubota mini-digger doing the heavy lifting in a tight corner. Well, that familiar workhorse just got a serious promotion.
For the first time ever in Ireland, we have the Kubota U145 in the field. It’s a bit like seeing your favourite neighbourhood baker suddenly open a five-star restaurant, the same reliability and attention to detail you’ve always loved, just with a much bigger menu and a whole lot more muscle.
A Serious Step Up
At the heart of this beast is a 76.4kW (roughly 102 horsepower) engine that doesn’t just move earth; it practically negotiates with it. With an operating weight hovering between 14.5 and 15.2 tonnes, the U145 sits right in that sweet spot for medium-duty civil engineering work. Whether it’s road construction, urban infrastructure, or residential development, it’s a machine that understands the assignment: get in, get the job done, and don’t make a fuss about it.
What’s truly impressive is how this model bridges the gap between raw power and precision. You get three selectable power modes Super Power (SP), Heavy (H), and Auto (A). It’s essentially a “choose your own adventure” for construction. Need to tear through some stubborn ground? Dial up Super Power. Doing a bit of grading and want to make sure you’re not burning through a diesel budget meant for a small nation? Pop it into Auto mode, which features six different levels of performance adjustment. It’s fuel efficient, it’s intelligent, and it ensures you aren’t paying for power you aren’t using.
Hydraulics That Think
The real party trick of the U145 is the “Intelligent Hydraulic System.” In lesser machines, the hydraulics are basically a blunt instrument, you pull a lever, and things move. With the U145, there’s a nuance to it. It features a Spool Stroke Control (SSC) system that makes even heavy duty operations feel surprisingly delicate.
You also have a Boom Down Energy Save (BES) system. It sounds like something a sci-fi writer came up with, but in reality, it’s just pure common sense. The machine actively manages power distribution, automatically reducing pump flow when it’s idling. It’s like the excavator is trying to save you money on your fuel bill while you’re busy grabbing a coffee. It’s nice to know the machine is looking out for your wallet while you’re looking at the dig depth.
Comfort in the Cockpit
Let’s be honest: no one gets into an excavator expecting a spa day. You expect vibration, noise, and enough back pain to keep a chiropractor in business for a decade. Kubota clearly took this to heart. The U145 cabin is effectively a mobile office that you wouldn’t mind spending ten hours in.
It’s spacious, pressurised, and quiet,minimising the kind of noise and vibration that usually rattles your teeth by the end of a shift. You get a heated, air-ride seat that’s fully adjustable, meaning no more hunching over like a question mark by lunchtime. Plus, the 7-inch widescreen monitor is clear enough that you aren’t squinting at it like it’s a cryptic crossword.
And because Kubota knows that operators like to see what they’re hitting (or preferably, what they’re avoiding), they’ve included a 270-degree surround-view camera system. You’ve got rear and side-view cameras beaming live feeds directly to that monitor. It turns a job site that usually requires a spotter and a lot of frantic hand signals into a much more relaxed, safer environment.
Even the LED work lights come standard, complete with rain deflectors, so those dark winter mornings aren’t quite as miserable as they usually are. Versatility Defined
One of the big reasons this machine is making waves is the boom configuration options.
You can opt for a mono boom if your work is straightforward, or a 2-piece boom if you’re doing the kind of work that requires reaching over, under, or around obstacles. This 2-piece setup is a game changer for vertical digging and tight manoeuvres. It offers a compact front-swivel radius, which is basically the machine’s way of saying, “Don’t worry about hitting that wall; I’ve got this.”
It’s also built for the long haul. With an engine oil change interval set at 500 hours and a high-capacity refueling pump, maintenance isn’t a chore that eats into your working hours. It’s a machine designed by people who understand that a parked digger is just a very expensive lawn ornament.
The Verdict
The arrival of the U145 in Ireland isn’t just a new product launch; it’s a statement. Kubota has taken its reputation for building “small but mighty” machines and applied it to the heavy-duty sector without losing the soul of what made their smaller units so popular. It feels sturdy, it performs with surprising grace, and it’s arguably the most comfortable seat on the job site.
Whether you’re a contractor who has been running Kubotas for years or a newcomer looking for a machine that balances power with the kind of reliability that lets you sleep at night, the U145 is worth a long look. It’s got all the high-end tech, the brute strength, and the comfort features you’d expect from a flagship machine, all while maintaining the clever, operator-focused design that made the brand a household name in the first place.
If you happen to pass one on a job site, take a second to look at it. It might not be looking for a round of applause, but it’s definitely earned it. Just don’t be surprised if your current operators start asking why their machines don’t have Bluetooth and a heated seat. Once you get used to the U145, Mr. Digger might have started a trend with this one.
