Head to head
Caterpillar 301.7 CR vs Wacker Neuson EZ17e
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR digs 22cm deeper and is the bigger machine by 118kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Dig depth: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR digs 22cm deeper.
- Operating weight: the Caterpillar 301.7 CR is the bigger machine by 118kg.
Specifications side by side
| Caterpillar 301.7 CR | Wacker Neuson EZ17e | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,915 kg (4,222 lb) | 1,797 to 2,151 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,540 mm (100 in) (long stick) | 2,323 mm |
| Engine power | 15.7 kW (21 hp) | - |
| Breakout force | - | 14.8 kN |
| Length | - | 3,554 to 3,584 mm |
| Width | - | 990 to 1,300 mm |
| Height | - | 2,365 mm |
Sources: Caterpillar 301.7 CR, Wacker Neuson EZ17e. 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 digs 22cm deeper
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 118kg
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 EZ17e if...
The 1.5 tonne class is the busiest size in UK hire fleets. At 1,797kg it digs to 2,323 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 EZ17e specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and the Wacker Neuson EZ17e?
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR digs 22cm deeper and is the bigger machine by 118kg. The Caterpillar 301.7 CR is a a sub-2 tonne conventional-tail-swing mini excavator; the Wacker Neuson EZ17e is a 1.5 tonne class mini excavator, zero tail swing.
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