About PowerBoss
PowerBoss is the industrial cleaning equipment brand of Minuteman International, a U.S. manufacturer headquartered in Pingree Grove, Illinois. Since 1985, PowerBoss has manufactured rugged sweepers and scrubbers for demanding environments, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, construction sites and parking structures.
The PowerBoss lineup includes walk-behind, mid-sized and large rider sweepers and scrubbers. Its equipment combines rugged construction with features designed to support cleaning performance, serviceability and long-term operation, including all-steel construction, stainless steel scrub decks, weatherproof engineering, onboard hot water generation and battery- and engine-powered configurations. Engine-powered models are available in gasoline, LPG and diesel configurations.
Meeting the Challenge
PowerBoss had used Kubota diesel engines since Minuteman International acquired the brand. When the company began developing the Nautilus around 2011, it needed to expand its engine options to support gasoline and LPG configurations while maintaining the reliability and performance expected from its industrial equipment.
PowerBoss needed more than an engine supplier. The company wanted an experienced partner that could support engine selection, integration, parts availability and service throughout the equipment life cycle. That need strengthened its relationship with Kubota Engine America and authorized Kubota engine distributor Engine Power Inc.
Why Kubota Engines
When selecting engines for its industrial cleaning equipment, PowerBoss prioritized quality, reliability and performance across multiple fuel configurations.
“We chose Kubota engines because their quality is just a notch above everyone else’s,” said Jack Hill, president and CEO of Minuteman International. “We feel like we build a really industrial product, and the Kubota industrial engine is a really good fit for our message.”
The Nautilus and Nautilus HD are available with the Kubota V1505 diesel engine or the Kubota WG1605 spark-ignited platform configured for gasoline or LPG.
This flexibility allows PowerBoss to support different customer fuel requirements while maintaining consistent Kubota-power architecture. Today, every engine-powered machine in PowerBoss’s core product lineup uses a Kubota engine. Across the Armadillo, Atlas and Nautilus product families, PowerBoss offers Kubota gasoline, LPG and diesel configurations for a range of industrial cleaning applications.
Powering the Nautilus
The PowerBoss Nautilus is the flagship machine within the company’s rider scrubber lineup. Designed to sweep and scrub in a single pass, the Nautilus features a 45-inch main scrubbing path, cleaning widths of up to 62 inches and 105-gallon solution and recovery tanks.
Its agricultural-grade steel frame and stainless-steel scrubbing deck support operation in demanding environments. The machine’s all-hydraulic design, tool-free brush changes and accessible service points also help simplify operation and maintenance.
The Nautilus can be equipped with PowerBoss’s optional Thermal Green Technology. The system harnesses heat generated by the internal engine to increase cleaning water temperatures by as much as 70 degrees above ambient temperature. Heated water can improve cleaning results for grease, oil and other difficult materials without requiring a separate electric water heater.
Common Nautilus applications include warehousing, heavy manufacturing, parking ramps, sports stadiums, construction cleanup and distribution centers.
Strengthening Partnerships
PowerBoss’s collaboration with Engine Power Inc. extends beyond purchasing engines. As an authorized Kubota engine distributor, EPI provides engineering, sales and parts support while helping connect PowerBoss dealers with Kubota’s broader service network.
“We’re pretty happy with the reliability of Kubota, but more importantly, the support from Engine Power,” Hill said. “They’ve proven several times to us that it’s more than a transactional relationship. It’s really a partnership.”
That support continues after PowerBoss equipment enters the field. Access to local Kubota dealers helps PowerBoss and its dealer network obtain parts and service for customers operating in different markets.
“Whether you’re dealing with the sales component at Kubota, the engineering staff or simply trying to get parts, they are number one,” said John Longeville, OEM regional sales manager at Engine Power Inc. “There’s just nobody else in this business that does it better, and that allows us to be the best that we can be for our customers.”
Looking Ahead
PowerBoss continues to develop industrial cleaning equipment around the durability, performance and serviceability its customers expect. With Kubota engines powering every internal-combustion machine in its core lineup, the company can offer gasoline, LPG and diesel solutions while maintaining a consistent approach to engine quality and support.
“When you say we’re shoulder to shoulder in these good times and bad, to me, that’s where I look at this as a real partnership with Engine Power and Kubota,” Hill said. “We’ve really turned PowerBoss into a premium brand, and Kubota was a big part of that.”
Together, PowerBoss, Engine Power Inc. and Kubota Engine America continue to deliver rugged industrial cleaning solutions supported by dependable engines, responsive service and a partnership focused on long-term customer success.
