Head to head
SANY SY26U vs Yanmar ViO17
The SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 830kg and has 5kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 830kg.
- Engine power: the SANY SY26U has 5kW more power.
- Dig depth: the SANY SY26U digs 40cm (1.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| SANY SY26U | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2,660 kg | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,810 mm | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Engine power | 14.6 kW at 2,400 rpm | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
| Transport width | 1,550 mm | - |
Sources: SANY SY26U, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the SY26U if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 830kg
- you want one that has 5kW more power
- you want one that digs 40cm (1.5ft) deeper
The SANY SY26U is a 2.6 tonne mini excavator positioned as a value alternative to the established Kubota, JCB and Takeuchi machines in the same size class, sold in the UK through a small number of appointed dealers. SANY's UK presence is newer and thinner than the market leaders, so buyers weigh the lower purchase price against a less mature parts and resale network. It is more often bought outright by owner-operators than stocked in volume by the large national hire fleets.
Full SY26U 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 SANY SY26U and the Yanmar ViO17?
The SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 830kg and has 5kW more power. The SANY SY26U is a a 2.6 tonne mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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