Head to head
Caterpillar 301.7 CR vs Yanmar ViO17
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 6kW more power and digs 13cm deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 6kW more power.
- Dig depth: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR digs 13cm deeper.
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 85kg.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,915 kg (4,222 lb) | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,540 mm (100 in) (long stick) | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Engine power | 15.7 kW (21 hp) | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
Sources: Caterpillar 301.7 CR, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 301.7 CR if...
- you want one that has 6kW more power
- you want one that digs 13cm deeper
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 85kg
The Cat 301.7 CR is Caterpillar's roughly 2 tonne mini excavator, built around the Cat C1.1 engine and backed by Caterpillar's dealer network for parts and service. It is specified on UK sites for the same drainage, groundworks and utility jobs as the Kubota U27-4 and Takeuchi TB216, with buyers often citing Cat's residual values and dealer support over price. It is one of the smaller models in Caterpillar's wider mini excavator line-up, which extends up to around 10 tonnes.
Full 301.7 CR specifications →Buy or hire the ViO17 if...
The Yanmar ViO17 is a true zero tail swing mini excavator built for working tight to walls, fences and parked vehicles without the counterweight overhanging, a common requirement on UK residential and urban groundworks jobs. It sits in the same roughly 1.7-1.9 tonne hire class as the Takeuchi TB216 and Kubota KX019-4. Yanmar's compact equipment range is less widely stocked across UK hire fleets than Kubota or JCB, but it has a following among contractors who rate its digging force for its size.
Full ViO17 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and the Yanmar ViO17?
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 6kW more power and digs 13cm deeper. The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is a a sub-2 tonne conventional-tail-swing mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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