Head to head
Kubota U17-3a vs Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip)
The Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) has 5kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) has 5kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U17-3a | Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 11.3kW | 15.9 kW / 21.4 bhp at 2,800 rpm |
| Operating weight | 1,700kg | - |
| Dig depth | 2,460mm | - |
| Payload | - | 1,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 1,295 kg |
| Standard transport width | - | 1,115 mm (982 mm with narrow wheel option) |
Sources: Kubota U17-3a, Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip). Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire 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.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
- Compact Plant Sales - Farnham
- Standard Plant Hire - Keston
Buy or hire the MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) if...
- you want one that has 5kW more power
The Thwaites 1 Tonne Hi Tip, sold as the MACH2001, is one of the most common site dumpers on UK construction and groundworks hire fleets, used to move spoil, aggregate and materials around small to medium sites. Its narrow wheel option lets it pass through standard access points a wider dumper cannot. Thwaites builds its dumpers in Leamington Spa, and the 1 tonne class is typically the first machine a groundworks operator is trained and ticketed on.
Full MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U17-3a and the Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip)?
The Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) has 5kW more power. The Kubota U17-3a is a 1.7 tonne mini excavator; the Thwaites MACH2001 (1 Tonne Hi Tip) is a a 1 tonne payload site dumper for construction material transport.
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