Model against model
Kubota U17-3a vs Takeuchi TB216
Two models people put on the same shortlist. Every figure below is sourced, and where one side has a specification the other does not publish, the row is left out rather than filled with a guess.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
| Kubota U17-3a | Takeuchi TB216 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1,700kg | 1,865 / 1,770 kg (cab/canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2,460mm | 2,390 mm |
| Engine power | 11.3kW | 11.5 kW at 2,400 rpm (Yanmar 3TNV70) |
Only specifications published for both models appear here. Full Kubota U17-3a figures and full Takeuchi TB216 figures.
Choose the U17-3a if...
A step up from a micro excavator for landscaping and groundworks contractors who need more dig depth and breakout force while still fitting through a standard gate or gap. Common on garden and small drainage jobs.
Full specifications →Choose the TB216 if...
The Takeuchi TB216 is a long-running fixture of the UK 1.5-2 tonne mini excavator hire class, used for groundworks, drainage and small demolition jobs. Its extendable undercarriage gives it the stability of a wider track base for digging while still narrowing for transport and access. It competes closely with the Kubota KX019-4 and similarly sized Bobcat and JCB machines for the same hire slots.
Full specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U17-3a and the Takeuchi TB216?
Kubota U17-3a: A step up from a micro excavator for landscaping and groundworks contractors who need more dig depth and breakout force while still fitting through a standard gate or gap. Common on garden and small drainage jobs. Takeuchi TB216: The Takeuchi TB216 is a long-running fixture of the UK 1.5-2 tonne mini excavator hire class, used for groundworks, drainage and small demolition jobs. Its extendable undercarriage gives it the stability of a wider track base for digging while still narrowing for transport and access. It competes closely with the Kubota KX019-4 and similarly sized Bobcat and JCB machines for the same hire slots.
Are these figures reliable?
Every figure on this page was read off a manufacturer or established dealer page and is linked to its source. Anything we could not verify is left out rather than estimated. Specifications change by model year and configuration, so confirm with the supplier before relying on them.
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Model and brand names are the trademarks of their owners.