Head to head
Caterpillar 301.7 CR vs Wacker Neuson EZ17
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 2kW more power and is the bigger machine by 191kg. The Wacker Neuson EZ17 digs 5cm deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 2kW more power.
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 191kg.
- Dig depth: the Wacker Neuson EZ17 digs 5cm deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | Wacker Neuson EZ17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,915 kg (4,222 lb) | 1,724 to 1,887 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,540 mm (100 in) (long stick) | 2,590 mm |
| Engine power | 15.7 kW (21 hp) | 13.8 kW |
| Breakout force | - | 18.7 kN |
| Length | - | 3,581 mm |
| Width | - | 990 to 1,300 mm |
| Height | - | 2,369 mm |
Sources: Caterpillar 301.7 CR, Wacker Neuson EZ17. 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 has 2kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 191kg
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 EZ17 if...
- you want one that digs 5cm deeper
The 1.5 tonne class is the busiest size in UK hire fleets. At 1,724kg it goes on a braked plant trailer behind a large 4x4 or pickup, and digs to 2,590 mm 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 EZ17 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and the Wacker Neuson EZ17?
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR has 2kW more power and is the bigger machine by 191kg. The Wacker Neuson EZ17 digs 5cm deeper. The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is a a sub-2 tonne conventional-tail-swing mini excavator; the Wacker Neuson EZ17 is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing.
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