Head to head
Caterpillar 301.7 CR vs Wacker Neuson ET16
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 386kg and has 2kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 386kg.
- Engine power: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 2kW more power.
- Dig depth: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR digs 13cm deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | Wacker Neuson ET16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,915 kg (4,222 lb) | 1,529 to 1,842 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,540 mm (100 in) (long stick) | 2,413 mm |
| Engine power | 15.7 kW (21 hp) | 13.8 kW |
| Breakout force | - | 15.3 kN |
| Length | - | 3,644 mm |
| Width | - | 990 mm |
| Height | - | 2,285 mm |
Sources: Caterpillar 301.7 CR, Wacker Neuson ET16. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 301.7 CR if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 386kg
- you want one that has 2kW more power
- you want one that digs 13cm deeper
The Cat 301.7 CR is Caterpillar's roughly 2 tonne mini excavator, built around the Cat C1.1 engine and backed by Caterpillar's dealer network for parts and service. It is specified on UK sites for the same drainage, groundworks and utility jobs as the Kubota U27-4 and Takeuchi TB216, with buyers often citing Cat's residual values and dealer support over price. It is one of the smaller models in Caterpillar's wider mini excavator line-up, which extends up to around 10 tonnes.
Full 301.7 CR specifications →Buy or hire the ET16 if...
The 1.5 tonne class is the busiest size in UK hire fleets. At 1,529kg it goes on a braked plant trailer behind a large 4x4 or pickup, and digs to 2,413 mm for footings, drainage runs and fence posts.
Full ET16 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and the Wacker Neuson ET16?
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 386kg and has 2kW more power. The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is a a sub-2 tonne conventional-tail-swing mini excavator; the Wacker Neuson ET16 is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator.
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