Head to head
Yanmar ViO17 vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 5kW more power and is the bigger machine by 295kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Yanmar ViO20-6 has 5kW more power.
- Operating weight: the Yanmar ViO20-6 is the bigger machine by 295kg.
Specifications side by side
| Yanmar ViO17 | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,830 kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: Yanmar ViO17, Yanmar ViO20-6. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
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 →Buy or hire the ViO20-6 if...
- you want one that has 5kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 295kg
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 Yanmar ViO17 and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 5kW more power and is the bigger machine by 295kg. The Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Model and brand names are the trademarks of their owners.