Head to head
Kubota U27-4 vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 465kg and digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 465kg.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U27-4 digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U27-4 | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 2,590kg or 2,490kg depending on variant | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | 2,820mm maximum | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Maximum reach | 4,740mm | - |
| Engine power | - | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: Kubota U27-4, Yanmar ViO20-6. 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 465kg
- 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 ViO20-6 if...
The Yanmar ViO20-6 steps up from the ViO17 into the roughly 2 tonne mini excavator class, still with Yanmar's true zero tail swing geometry for working in confined spaces. It competes with the Caterpillar 301.7 CR and similarly sized Kubota and Takeuchi machines for UK groundworks and utility hire jobs. Its fixed rather than variable undercarriage keeps the design simpler than some rivals, at the cost of not being able to narrow down for transport.
Full ViO20-6 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Kubota U27-4 and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The Kubota U27-4 is the bigger machine by 465kg and digs 41cm (1.5ft) deeper. The Kubota U27-4 is a tight tail swing compact excavator, around 2.5 tonnes; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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