Head to head
Kubota U17-3a vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 4kW more power and is the bigger machine by 425kg. The Kubota U17-3a digs 5cm deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Yanmar ViO20-6 has 4kW more power.
- Operating weight: the Yanmar ViO20-6 is the bigger machine by 425kg.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U17-3a digs 5cm deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U17-3a | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,700kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2,460mm | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | 11.3kW | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: Kubota U17-3a, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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 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 ViO20-6 if...
- you want one that has 4kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 425kg
The Yanmar ViO20-6 steps up from the ViO17 into the roughly 2 tonne mini excavator class, still with Yanmar's true zero tail swing geometry for working in confined spaces. It competes with the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and similarly sized Kubota and Takeuchi machines for UK groundworks and utility hire jobs. Its fixed rather than variable undercarriage keeps the design simpler than some rivals, at the cost of not being able to narrow down for transport.
Full ViO20-6 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U17-3a and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 4kW more power and is the bigger machine by 425kg. The Kubota U17-3a digs 5cm deeper. The Kubota U17-3a is a 1.7 tonne mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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