Head to head
JCB 3CX Compact vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The JCB 3CX Compact has 40kW more power and is the bigger machine by 3,945kg.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 3CX Compact has 40kW more power.
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX Compact is the bigger machine by 3,945kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX Compact digs 2.59m (8.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX Compact | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 6070 kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 5 m | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | 55 kW | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Travel Speed | 40 kph | - |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: JCB 3CX Compact, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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 40kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 3,945kg
- 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 ViO20-6 if...
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 JCB 3CX Compact and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The JCB 3CX Compact has 40kW more power and is the bigger machine by 3,945kg. The JCB 3CX Compact is a compact backhoe loader about 2 m wide; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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