Here is a fact that most compact equipment owners in Malaysia don't know: the diesel engine in their Bobcat skid steer, Takeuchi mini excavator, or Manitou telehandler probably wasn't made by Bobcat, Takeuchi, or Manitou. It was made by Kubota or Yanmar — and that changes everything about where you source parts.
This matters because an authorised Bobcat dealer quoting you for an "engine overhaul kit" is buying that kit from the Kubota or Yanmar supply chain and adding their margin. An engine specialist who sources directly from that same supply chain can often provide the same genuine parts — or quality OEM-compatible alternatives — at a significantly lower cost, and with faster availability for older machines.
This guide covers which engine codes appear in which machines, how to identify them, and what this means for parts sourcing in Malaysia.
Kubota Engines in Non-Kubota Equipment
Kubota's diesel engine division is one of the world's largest OEM engine suppliers. Their compact diesel engines appear in construction equipment, forklifts, generators, and agricultural machinery from dozens of manufacturers.
The Kubota V1505 — The Most Widely Used
The V1505 is a 1.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel producing approximately 33hp. It appears in:
| Machine | Model | Kubota Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat skid steer | S130, S150, S160 | V1505 |
| Bobcat compact track loader | T140, T180 | V1505 |
| Manitou telescopic handler | MT625, MT728 | V1505 |
| Wacker Neuson dumper | 1501, 2001 | V1505 |
| Terex compact loader | PT60 | V1505 |
| Various generators | 20–30kVA range | V1505 |
Parts for the V1505 in a Bobcat S150 are exactly the same as parts for the V1505 in a Kubota tractor or generator set. The injector nozzle, overhaul kit, cylinder head, water pump, and thermostat are identical components — because it is the same engine.
The Kubota V2203 — Mid-Range Workhorse
The V2203 is a 2.2L 4-cylinder producing approximately 43hp. Common host machines:
| Machine | Model | Kubota Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat skid steer | S185, S205 | V2203 |
| Bobcat compact track loader | T190, T200 | V2203 |
| JCB compact equipment | Various | V2203 |
| Hyster / Yale forklifts | Various 3–4t models | V2203 |
| Manitou handler | MT932, MT1030 | V2203 |
The Kubota V2403 — Heavier Duty Applications
The V2403 (2.4L, approximately 55hp) appears in larger compact equipment:
| Machine | Model | Kubota Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat S220, S250 | Skid steer | V2403-M-DI |
| Bobcat T250, T300 | Compact track loader | V2403 |
| Takeuchi TL130, TL150 | Track loader | V2403 |
| Various forklifts | 4–5t class | V2403 |
Yanmar Engines in Non-Yanmar Equipment
Yanmar's TNV diesel engine family is equally widespread in compact construction equipment and utility vehicles. The TNV series (3TNV76, 3TNV82, 3TNV88, 4TNV88, 4TNV98) are found across a range of well-known brands.
The 3TNV88 — Compact Excavator Standard
The 3TNV88 (1.642L 3-cylinder, ~25hp) is perhaps the most common compact excavator engine in Southeast Asia:
| Machine | Model | Yanmar Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Takeuchi mini excavator | TB175W, TB285 | 3TNV88 |
| John Deere compact excavator | 17G, 26G, 35G | 3TNV88 |
| Case mini excavator | CX17B, CX26B | 3TNV88 |
| Caterpillar mini excavator | 301.7D, 302.7D | 3TNV88 |
| Gehl compact excavator | GE602, GE802 | 3TNV88 |
The 4TNV98 — Larger Compact Equipment
| Machine | Model | Yanmar Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Takeuchi compact loader | TL130, TL230 | 4TNV98 |
| John Deere compact utility | 3033R, 3038E | 4TNV98 variant |
| Volvo compact excavator | EC55D | 4TNV98 |
| Schaeff mini excavator | HR16, HR18 | 4TNV98 |
How to Identify the OEM Engine in Your Machine
You don't need to rely on guesswork. There are three reliable ways:
1. Read the engine serial plate directly. Open the engine cover and look for a metal tag or stamped number on the engine block — not the machine's VIN plate. Kubota engine codes start with a letter-number combination (V1505, D1105, V2203). Yanmar engine codes follow the TNV or TNE pattern (3TNV88, 4TNV98).
2. Check the machine's service manual. The engine specifications section will list the OEM supplier and engine model. Most manufacturers are transparent about this in their service documentation.
3. Look up the machine model online. A quick search for "[machine brand] [model] engine specifications" will almost always reveal the OEM engine supplier and code.
What This Means for Parts Sourcing in Malaysia
Once you know the engine code, the sourcing picture changes significantly:
Cost. Ordering engine parts through the machine brand's dealer means paying that brand's margin on parts they don't manufacture. Sourcing the same part as a Kubota or Yanmar component — through a specialist who works directly with those supply chains — is typically 20–45% cheaper for genuine parts, and more for quality aftermarket.
Availability. For machines 10+ years old, the equipment brand's dealer may list parts as "discontinued." But the Kubota or Yanmar engine supply chain for that engine code is often still active, because the same engine is used in dozens of different machines across multiple manufacturers.
Lead time. A Kubota or Yanmar parts specialist with established supplier relationships can often turn around sourcing in 24–48 hours for in-demand items. An equipment dealer ordering through their brand's channel may take weeks.
The Practical Approach
When your compact machine has an engine problem:
- Identify the engine code from the block (not the machine nameplate)
- Contact an engine parts specialist directly — not the equipment dealer
- Provide the engine serial number in addition to the model code — particularly important for Kubota, where the same model code can have different injection systems between production runs
- Send a photo of the failed part if you don't have the part number
We handle parts enquiries for Kubota and Yanmar engines regardless of which machine they're fitted in. If you have a Bobcat with a V1505, a Takeuchi with a 3TNV88, or a Cat mini with a Yanmar engine, we treat it exactly the same as a Kubota tractor or Yanmar marine enquiry.