Head to head
Kubota U20 vs Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 11kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 11kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U20 | Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 13.5kW / 19hp | 24.8kW (33.2 bhp) @ 2800rpm |
| Machine weight | 2,380kg (cab) / 2,180kg (canopy) | - |
| Max dig depth | 2,540mm | - |
| Max width | 1,500mm | - |
| Travel speed | 2.2 / 4.2km/h | - |
| Payload | - | 3000 kg |
| Heaped capacity | - | 1680 litres |
| Engine | - | Yanmar 3TNV88 |
Sources: Kubota U20, Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the U20 if...
A compact zero-tailswing excavator sized to fit through a domestic gateway, used for groundworks, drainage and garden landscaping jobs where space is tight.
Listed by
- West Sussex Plant Hire - Hassocks, Keymer
Buy or hire the 3 Tonne Front Tip if...
- you want one that has 11kW more power
A mid-size front tip dumper for groundworks, drainage and general muck shifting on UK sites where a 3 tonne payload is enough. Sits between the 1 tonne hi-tip and the 6 tonne dumpers in the Thwaites range.
Full 3 Tonne Front Tip specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U20 and the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip?
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 11kW more power. The Kubota U20 is a 2-tonne class mini excavator; the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip is a 3 tonne front tip site dumper.
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