Head to head
JCB 3CX vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,010kg and digs 1.83m (6ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,010kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 3CX digs 1.83m (6ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 3CX | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8,135kg standard and Contractor, 8,435kg on 3CX Super | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 4.24m with standard dipper, up to 5.46m with Extradig | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Engine power | - | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: JCB 3CX, Yanmar ViO20-6. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3CX if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 6,010kg
- you want one that digs 1.83m (6ft) deeper
The machine most people picture when they think of a building site, and still the default where one machine has to both dig and load. Groundworkers and utilities contractors buy it precisely to avoid putting two machines on a small site.
Full 3CX 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 and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The JCB 3CX is the bigger machine by 6,010kg and digs 1.83m (6ft) deeper. The JCB 3CX is a wheeled backhoe loader; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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