Head to head
Kubota U17-3a vs Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)
The Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 7kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 7kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U17-3a | Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 11.3kW | 18.1 kW / 24.3 bhp at 2,000 rpm |
| Operating weight | 1,700kg | - |
| Dig depth | 2,460mm | - |
| Payload | - | 3,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 2,250 kg |
Sources: Kubota U17-3a, Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel). 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 MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) if...
- you want one that has 7kW more power
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Power Swivel, badged MACH2080, is the step-up size from the 1 tonne class and a standard fixture on larger UK groundworks and civils sites needing higher payload per cycle. Its power swivel skip rotates independently of the direction of travel, letting the operator tip to the side without turning the whole machine around. It is hired alongside excavators of a similar class to keep material moving off the dig face.
Full MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U17-3a and the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)?
The Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 7kW more power. The Kubota U17-3a is a 1.7 tonne mini excavator; the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) is a a 3 tonne payload swivel-skip site dumper.
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