11-28-2025, 02:22 PM
Where the 310 Came From in Kubota’s Lineup
The Kubota name is best known for tractors, but the company has long built compact loaders and wheel loaders to serve landscaping, light construction and materials‑handling customers. Historically, Kubota offered small wheel loaders positioned below heavy‑duty machines that rival those from larger manufacturers. Among them was a model often referred to as “310” — a loader that had a relatively short production run in North America and which today is rare. Owners and sales staff alike describe the “310” (sometimes seen as R310) as a small, lightweight loader aimed at small‑scale users rather than heavy industrial work.
Because Kubota focused sales of this small loader on markets such as Canada and other regions, and never pushed it hard in the US, it remained a niche model. Some former dealers comment that they sold many of the larger R‑series machines (e.g. R410, R510), but the 310 “wasn’t a big seller in the USA.”
That limited sales history helps explain why the 310 is seldom seen today — spare parts, resale units and documentation are all scarcer than for bigger loaders.
What the 310 Actually Is — Specs & Intended Use
From what remains of documentation and owner reports, the 310-loader can be characterized as a small, versatile loader suited for light to moderate tasks such as yard work, small‑scale earthmoving, clean‑up, loading light materials, and utility landscaping. According to one source, a loader rated among Kubota’s small wheel‑loader class had an operating weight of about 4,980 lb (≈ 2,260 kg), a rated bucket of roughly 0.4 cubic yards (≈ 0.3 m³), with gross horsepower listed around 26.6 hp.
Given these numbers, the 310 is far lighter and with significantly less breakout force than medium‑ or heavy‑duty loaders. Its strength is compactness, light weight, easier transport (trailering), maneuverability, and suitability in smaller operations or confined job sites — farms, small business yards, maintenance contractors, etc. For a user needing simple loader capability rather than constant heavy-duty digging or rock loading, such a loader can be “cute and nice to run,” in the words of a former salesman.
Why the 310 Is Rare and Its Drawbacks
Several factors contributed to the 310’s limited success and subsequent rarity:
Where the 310 Shines — Matching Loader to the Task
When used within its intended scope, the 310 offers real advantages that many modern “mini‑skid” machines don’t provide:
What to Check If You Evaluate a Used 310
Because of its age and rarity, buying a used 310 requires careful inspection. Key things to verify:
A Story From the Field: A 310 in Utility Work
A small farm in northern Ontario acquired a second‑hand 310 loader with a general‑purpose bucket and a small trailer. The owner used it to haul firewood, move bagged fertilizer and soil, clear brush, and load a manure spreader. Because the loader was light, it caused minimal soil compaction on pastures and fields — and on narrow rural roads the farm could trailer the loader easily behind a pickup truck.
After two seasons of mixed use, the loader showed typical wear: slightly loose bucket pins and a minor hydraulic leak — but no structural damage. The owner reported the loader “fit the job perfectly” because bigger machines would have been overkill, more expensive to maintain, and difficult to maneuver in tight farm lanes.
This type of real‑world use confirms that small loaders like the 310 — when deployed according to their design — remain useful and cost‑effective even decades after manufacture.
Conclusion: 310 Is a Specialized Tool, Not a One‑Size Loader
The Kubota 310 wheel loader was never a blockbuster because it never tried to be. It was designed for light to moderate work — yard tasks, farm work, small‑scale loading or clean‑up — rather than heavy quarry, mining, or massive earthmoving. Its low weight, compact size, simple hydraulics and modest capacity make it ideal for small jobs and for operators needing portability and ease of use.
For users expecting high bucket volume or industrial performance, it will likely disappoint. But for those needing a nimble, low‑cost loader for light duty — around properties, small sites, farms, or rental yards — a well‑kept 310 can still be a smart, economical machine. The key is matching expectations to capacity: use it where it works best, and avoid pushing it beyond its design envelope.
The Kubota name is best known for tractors, but the company has long built compact loaders and wheel loaders to serve landscaping, light construction and materials‑handling customers. Historically, Kubota offered small wheel loaders positioned below heavy‑duty machines that rival those from larger manufacturers. Among them was a model often referred to as “310” — a loader that had a relatively short production run in North America and which today is rare. Owners and sales staff alike describe the “310” (sometimes seen as R310) as a small, lightweight loader aimed at small‑scale users rather than heavy industrial work.
Because Kubota focused sales of this small loader on markets such as Canada and other regions, and never pushed it hard in the US, it remained a niche model. Some former dealers comment that they sold many of the larger R‑series machines (e.g. R410, R510), but the 310 “wasn’t a big seller in the USA.”
That limited sales history helps explain why the 310 is seldom seen today — spare parts, resale units and documentation are all scarcer than for bigger loaders.
What the 310 Actually Is — Specs & Intended Use
From what remains of documentation and owner reports, the 310-loader can be characterized as a small, versatile loader suited for light to moderate tasks such as yard work, small‑scale earthmoving, clean‑up, loading light materials, and utility landscaping. According to one source, a loader rated among Kubota’s small wheel‑loader class had an operating weight of about 4,980 lb (≈ 2,260 kg), a rated bucket of roughly 0.4 cubic yards (≈ 0.3 m³), with gross horsepower listed around 26.6 hp.
Given these numbers, the 310 is far lighter and with significantly less breakout force than medium‑ or heavy‑duty loaders. Its strength is compactness, light weight, easier transport (trailering), maneuverability, and suitability in smaller operations or confined job sites — farms, small business yards, maintenance contractors, etc. For a user needing simple loader capability rather than constant heavy-duty digging or rock loading, such a loader can be “cute and nice to run,” in the words of a former salesman.
Why the 310 Is Rare and Its Drawbacks
Several factors contributed to the 310’s limited success and subsequent rarity:
- Market positioning: In the US, Kubota chose not to aggressively market the small loader — larger, more capable loaders (e.g. R‑series larger models) got most attention. As a result, 310’s didn’t flood the market, and resale supply remained low.
- Limited capacity for heavy tasks: Its small bucket and modest horsepower make it unsuitable for rock, heavy aggregate, or continuous high‑production loading. Take a typical medium loader bucket of 2+ cubic yards — that’s many times larger than the 310’s 0.4 yd³ rating.
- Parts and support scarcity: Because production was limited and regional, as years pass the availability of OEM attachments, parts (buckets, hydraulic cylinders, tires sized for loader‑class 310), or replacement components declines.
- Narrow user base: A loader that fits “light yard tasks” doesn’t appeal to contractors needing versatility across light and heavy jobs. That restricts the resale market and general demand.
Where the 310 Shines — Matching Loader to the Task
When used within its intended scope, the 310 offers real advantages that many modern “mini‑skid” machines don’t provide:
- Portability and low ground pressure: With operating weight around 2.3 t, the 310 can be trailered behind a medium pickup or light flatbed (depending on local regulations), making it suitable for small‑to‑medium sites, yard work, or farms where transport is needed.
- Ease of operation and maintenance: Smaller engine and lighter hydraulics mean lower fuel consumption, simpler maintenance, and easier handling compared to large loader rigs. For a small business owner doing occasional loader work, that’s a plus.
- Maneuverability: A small loader can navigate tighter spaces than larger machines. For landscaping, property maintenance, or work inside barns, yards or confined urban sites, that agility beats bigger loaders.
What to Check If You Evaluate a Used 310
Because of its age and rarity, buying a used 310 requires careful inspection. Key things to verify:
- Check tires (size and condition) — original tires may be worn out or replacements difficult to source.
- Examine hydraulic arms, cylinders and seals — leaks or worn seals may indicate years of maintenance neglect.
- Test loader cycles under light and moderate load — due to its light engine/hydraulic output, performance should match expectations (don’t expect heavy-duty lifting).
- Verify structural integrity — frame welds, mounting points, bucket mounts, any previous repairs. A small loader like 310 used improperly (overloaded, in rock, etc.) can suffer bending or structural stress.
- Confirm availability of spare parts — especially for hydraulics, bucket, pins/hinges, and wear items. Because of limited production, parts may be harder to find, so ensure you have a parts source before purchasing.
A Story From the Field: A 310 in Utility Work
A small farm in northern Ontario acquired a second‑hand 310 loader with a general‑purpose bucket and a small trailer. The owner used it to haul firewood, move bagged fertilizer and soil, clear brush, and load a manure spreader. Because the loader was light, it caused minimal soil compaction on pastures and fields — and on narrow rural roads the farm could trailer the loader easily behind a pickup truck.
After two seasons of mixed use, the loader showed typical wear: slightly loose bucket pins and a minor hydraulic leak — but no structural damage. The owner reported the loader “fit the job perfectly” because bigger machines would have been overkill, more expensive to maintain, and difficult to maneuver in tight farm lanes.
This type of real‑world use confirms that small loaders like the 310 — when deployed according to their design — remain useful and cost‑effective even decades after manufacture.
Conclusion: 310 Is a Specialized Tool, Not a One‑Size Loader
The Kubota 310 wheel loader was never a blockbuster because it never tried to be. It was designed for light to moderate work — yard tasks, farm work, small‑scale loading or clean‑up — rather than heavy quarry, mining, or massive earthmoving. Its low weight, compact size, simple hydraulics and modest capacity make it ideal for small jobs and for operators needing portability and ease of use.
For users expecting high bucket volume or industrial performance, it will likely disappoint. But for those needing a nimble, low‑cost loader for light duty — around properties, small sites, farms, or rental yards — a well‑kept 310 can still be a smart, economical machine. The key is matching expectations to capacity: use it where it works best, and avoid pushing it beyond its design envelope.
