Head to head
JCB 50Z-2 vs Yanmar ViO17
The JCB 50Z-2 has 26kW more power and is the bigger machine by 3.2 tonnes.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 50Z-2 has 26kW more power.
- Operating weight: the JCB 50Z-2 is the bigger machine by 3.2 tonnes.
- Dig depth: the JCB 50Z-2 digs 1.24m (4ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 50Z-2 | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 5030 kg | 1,830 kg |
| Engine power | 36 kW | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
| Dig depth | 3.65 m | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Dump height | 4.08 m | - |
Sources: JCB 50Z-2, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 50Z-2 if...
- you want one that has 26kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 3.2 tonnes
- you want one that digs 1.24m (4ft) deeper
A zero tailswing digger for utility trenching, house foundations and road edge work where the rear of the machine has to stay inside the track width. It is used on civils sites and hire fleets that want a 5 tonne class machine.
Full 50Z-2 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 50Z-2 and the Yanmar ViO17?
The JCB 50Z-2 has 26kW more power and is the bigger machine by 3.2 tonnes. The JCB 50Z-2 is a 5 tonne zero tailswing mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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