Head to head
Kubota U27-4 vs Yanmar ViO17
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 760kg and digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 760kg.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U27-4 digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U27-4 | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2,590kg or 2,490kg depending on variant | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 2,820mm maximum | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Maximum reach | 4,740mm | - |
| Engine power | - | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
Sources: Kubota U27-4, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the U27-4 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 760kg
- you want one that digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper
The step up from the KX019-4 when you need more depth and reach but still have to work close to walls and fences. Tight tail swing is what makes it usable in an occupied garden, and it is one of the most common hire machines in Britain for exactly that reason.
Listed by
- MY Tool Hire Ltd - Harrow
- Standard Plant Hire - Keston
Buy or hire the ViO17 if...
The Yanmar ViO17 is a true zero tail swing mini excavator built for working tight to walls, fences and parked vehicles without the counterweight overhanging, a common requirement on UK residential and urban groundworks jobs. It sits in the same roughly 1.7-1.9 tonne hire class as the Takeuchi TB216 and Kubota KX019-4. Yanmar's compact equipment range is less widely stocked across UK hire fleets than Kubota or JCB, but it has a following among contractors who rate its digging force for its size.
Full ViO17 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U27-4 and the Yanmar ViO17?
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 760kg and digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper. The Kubota U27-4 is a tight tail swing compact excavator, around 2.5 tonnes; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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