Head to head
Bobcat E17z vs Volvo FMX 540
The Volvo FMX 540 has 393kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Volvo FMX 540 has 393kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat E17z | Volvo FMX 540 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 10.1kW | 540bhp (D13, Euro 6) |
| Operating weight | 1712kg | - |
| Dig depth | 2230mm | - |
| Breakout force | 11.92kN | - |
| Gross weight | - | 32,000kg (32 tonne) |
| Payload | - | 20,000kg |
| Axles | - | 8x4 |
Sources: Bobcat E17z, Volvo FMX 540. 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 FMX 540 if...
- you want one that has 393kW more power
A heavy construction truck for muckaway and aggregate haulage contractors who need an 8-wheel tipper or tipper-grab body on a chassis built for site conditions rather than motorway haulage. The high-output D13 engine suits loaded running on soft or hilly access roads.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
Common questions
What is the difference between the Bobcat E17z and the Volvo FMX 540?
The Volvo FMX 540 has 393kW more power. The Bobcat E17z is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing; the Volvo FMX 540 is a 540bhp 8x4 heavy tipper/grab truck.
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