Head to head
JCB 3CX Compact vs Yanmar ViO17
The JCB 3CX Compact has 45kW more power and is the bigger machine by 4,240kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 3CX Compact has 45kW more power.
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX Compact is the bigger machine by 4,240kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX Compact digs 2.59m (8.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX Compact | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 6070 kg | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 5 m | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Engine power | 55 kW | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
| Travel Speed | 40 kph | - |
Sources: JCB 3CX Compact, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3CX Compact if...
- you want one that has 45kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 4,240kg
- you want one that digs 2.59m (8.5ft) deeper
Aimed at utility, highways and town-centre work where a full-size backhoe will not fit. Used for trenching, loading and breaking out on narrow roads, estates and tight sites.
Full 3CX Compact specifications →Buy or hire the ViO17 if...
The Yanmar ViO17 is a true zero tail swing mini excavator built for working tight to walls, fences and parked vehicles without the counterweight overhanging, a common requirement on UK residential and urban groundworks jobs. It sits in the same roughly 1.7-1.9 tonne hire class as the Takeuchi TB216 and Kubota KX019-4. Yanmar's compact equipment range is less widely stocked across UK hire fleets than Kubota or JCB, but it has a following among contractors who rate its digging force for its size.
Full ViO17 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the JCB 3CX Compact and the Yanmar ViO17?
The JCB 3CX Compact has 45kW more power and is the bigger machine by 4,240kg. The JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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