Head to head
Kubota U17-3a vs Yanmar ViO17
The Kubota U17-3a has 1kW more power and digs 5cm deeper. The Yanmar ViO17 is the bigger machine by 130kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Kubota U17-3a has 1kW more power.
- Operating weight: the Yanmar ViO17 is the bigger machine by 130kg.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U17-3a digs 5cm deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U17-3a | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,700kg | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,460mm | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Engine power | 11.3kW | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
Sources: Kubota U17-3a, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the U17-3a if...
- you want one that has 1kW more power
- you want one that digs 5cm deeper
A step up from a micro excavator for landscaping and groundworks contractors who need more dig depth and breakout force while still fitting through a standard gate or gap. Common on garden and small drainage jobs.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
- Compact Plant Sales - Farnham
- Beaver Tool Hire - Isleworth, Twickenham
- Standard Plant Hire - Keston
- HG Plant Sales - Maldon, Langford
Buy or hire the ViO17 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 130kg
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 Kubota U17-3a and the Yanmar ViO17?
The Kubota U17-3a has 1kW more power and digs 5cm deeper. The Yanmar ViO17 is the bigger machine by 130kg. The Kubota U17-3a is a 1.7 tonne mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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