Head to head
Bobcat E17z vs Kubota U27-4
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 878kg and digs 59cm (2ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 878kg.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U27-4 digs 59cm (2ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat E17z | Kubota U27-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1712kg | 2,590kg or 2,490kg depending on variant |
| Dig depth | 2230mm | 2,820mm maximum |
| Engine power | 10.1kW | - |
| Breakout force | 11.92kN | - |
| Maximum reach | - | 4,740mm |
Sources: Bobcat E17z, Kubota U27-4. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the E17z if...
The 1.5 tonne class is the busiest size in UK hire fleets. At 1,712kg it goes on a braked plant trailer behind a large 4x4 or pickup, and digs to 2230mm for footings, drainage runs and fence posts. Zero tail swing means the back of the machine stays inside the tracks when it slews, so it can work tight against a wall or in one lane of a road.
Listed by
- Compact Plant Sales - Farnham
Buy or hire the U27-4 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 878kg
- you want one that digs 59cm (2ft) deeper
The step up from the KX019-4 when you need more depth and reach but still have to work close to walls and fences. Tight tail swing is what makes it usable in an occupied garden, and it is one of the most common hire machines in Britain for exactly that reason.
Listed by
- MY Tool Hire Ltd - Harrow
- Standard Plant Hire - Keston
Common questions
What is the difference between the Bobcat E17z and the Kubota U27-4?
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 878kg and digs 59cm (2ft) deeper. The Bobcat E17z is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing; the Kubota U27-4 is a tight tail swing compact excavator, around 2.5 tonnes.
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.