Head to head
Bobcat E17z vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 5kW more power and is the bigger machine by 413kg.
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 413kg.
- Dig depth: the Yanmar ViO20-6 digs 18cm deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Bobcat E17z | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1712kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2230mm | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | 10.1kW | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Breakout force | 11.92kN | - |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: Bobcat E17z, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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.
Full E17z 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 413kg
- you want one that digs 18cm deeper
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 Bobcat E17z and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The Yanmar ViO20-6 has 5kW more power and is the bigger machine by 413kg. The Bobcat E17z is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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