Head to head
Kubota U20 vs Volvo FMX 540
The Volvo FMX 540 has 389kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Volvo FMX 540 has 389kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U20 | Volvo FMX 540 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 13.5kW / 19hp | 540bhp (D13, Euro 6) |
| Machine weight | 2,380kg (cab) / 2,180kg (canopy) | - |
| Max dig depth | 2,540mm | - |
| Max width | 1,500mm | - |
| Travel speed | 2.2 / 4.2km/h | - |
| Gross weight | - | 32,000kg (32 tonne) |
| Payload | - | 20,000kg |
| Axles | - | 8x4 |
Sources: Kubota U20, Volvo FMX 540. 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 FMX 540 if...
- you want one that has 389kW more power
A heavy construction truck for muckaway and aggregate haulage contractors who need an 8-wheel tipper or tipper-grab body on a chassis built for site conditions rather than motorway haulage. The high-output D13 engine suits loaded running on soft or hilly access roads.
Listed by
- McGovern Plant Hire - Hounslow, Cranford
Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U20 and the Volvo FMX 540?
The Volvo FMX 540 has 389kW more power. The Kubota U20 is a 2-tonne class mini excavator; the Volvo FMX 540 is a 540bhp 8x4 heavy tipper/grab truck.
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