Head to head
JCB 50Z-2 vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The JCB 50Z-2 has 21kW more power and is the bigger machine by 2,905kg.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the JCB 50Z-2 has 21kW more power.
- Operating weight: the JCB 50Z-2 is the bigger machine by 2,905kg.
- Dig depth: the JCB 50Z-2 digs 1.24m (4ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| JCB 50Z-2 | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 5030 kg | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Engine power | 36 kW | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Dig depth | 3.65 m | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Dump height | 4.08 m | - |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: JCB 50Z-2, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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 21kW more power
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 2,905kg
- 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 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 50Z-2 and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The JCB 50Z-2 has 21kW more power and is the bigger machine by 2,905kg. The JCB 50Z-2 is a 5 tonne zero tailswing mini excavator; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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