The Engines in the Rippa Range: Kubota, Briggs & Stratton, Yanmar
Most Rippa excavators and skid steers run Kubota diesels, but not all of them. Here is which engine sits in which model, what the codes mean and why it matters for parts and resale.
"Kubota-powered" is the phrase you see most on Rippa listings, and for most of the range it is true. It is worth knowing exactly which engine is in the machine you are looking at, because it decides service parts, dealer support and what a buyer will pay when you sell.
Engine by model
| Model | Engine | Type |
|---|---|---|
| R06 | Kubota Z482 | 2-cylinder diesel, 8.2 kW |
| R10, R13 PRO | Kubota | Small 2- or 3-cylinder diesel |
| R15 | Kubota D722 | 3-cylinder diesel |
| R18 PRO | Kubota D902 | 3-cylinder diesel |
| R22 PRO | Kubota | 3-cylinder diesel, 14.1 kW |
| R32 PRO | Kubota | Diesel |
| R57 PRO | Kubota V2607 | 4-cylinder diesel, 38 kW |
| R82 PRO | Yanmar or Changchai | 4-cylinder diesel options, 45 kW |
| RS03 | Briggs & Stratton XR2100 | Petrol, 10 kW |
| RS04 | Kubota Z482 | 2-cylinder diesel |
| RS06, RS07 | Kubota D1105 | 3-cylinder diesel |
| RS10, RS20 | Kubota V2607 | 4-cylinder diesel |
Always check the product page for the machine you are buying; specifications can change between production batches.
Reading a Kubota code
Kubota's industrial engines follow a simple pattern. The letter gives the series and cylinder count: Z is a 2-cylinder, D a 3-cylinder, V a 4-cylinder. The number is displacement in tens of cubic centimetres, so a D902 is 0.9 litres and a V2607 is 2.6 litres. Higher displacement means more torque at low revs, which is what you feel when a bucket bites into hard ground.
These are the same engines found in Kubota's own compact machines and in dozens of other brands, which is the practical reason they matter: filters, belts, injectors and gaskets are stocked by engine specialists across Australia, and any diesel mechanic knows them.
Why the RS03 is petrol
The walk-behind RS03 uses a Briggs & Stratton petrol engine because at that size a petrol engine is lighter, cheaper and easier to pull-start than a diesel. It suits occasional use on small properties. Petrol needs more care in storage: run the carburettor dry or add stabiliser if the machine will sit for more than a few weeks.
The R82's engine options
The 8.2 tonne R82 PRO is listed with Yanmar or Changchai engine options rather than Kubota. Yanmar is a well-known Japanese brand with strong Australian parts support; Changchai is a large Chinese diesel manufacturer. Ask Rippa Perth which engine is fitted to the unit in stock before you compare it with other 8 tonne machines.
What this means when buying
- Servicing: Kubota intervals are typically an oil change at the first 50 hours, then every 250 hours. Genuine and aftermarket filters are easy to source.
- Resale: buyers search for "Kubota engine" and pay for it. Keep service records.
- Fuel: all diesel models run standard automotive diesel. Keep the tank full in humid weather to limit condensation.
See the full figures in the comparison table.