Head to head
SANY SY26U vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 535kg and digs 40cm (1.5ft) deeper. The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 0kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 535kg.
- Dig depth: the SANY SY26U digs 40cm (1.5ft) deeper.
- Engine power: the Yanmar ViO20-6 has 0kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| SANY SY26U | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2,660 kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2,810 mm | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | 14.6 kW at 2,400 rpm | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Transport width | 1,550 mm | - |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: SANY SY26U, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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 535kg
- 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 ViO20-6 if...
- you want one that has 0kW more power
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 SANY SY26U and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The SANY SY26U is the bigger machine by 535kg and digs 40cm (1.5ft) deeper. The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 0kW more power. The SANY SY26U is a a 2.6 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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