Head to head
Kubota U36-4 vs Yanmar ViO17
The Kubota U36-4 is the bigger machine by 1,925kg and has 8kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Operating weight: the Kubota U36-4 is the bigger machine by 1,925kg.
- Engine power: the Kubota U36-4 has 8kW more power.
- Dig depth: the Kubota U36-4 digs 1.0m (3.5ft) deeper.
Specifications side by side
| Kubota U36-4 | Yanmar ViO17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 3755 kg | 1,830 kg |
| Dig depth | 3410 mm | 2,410 mm (blade lowered); 2,310 mm (blade lifted) |
| Engine power | 17.8 kw | 10.1 kW at 2,200 rpm |
| Width | 1700 mm | - |
Sources: Kubota U36-4, Yanmar ViO17. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the U36-4 if...
- you want one that is the bigger machine by 1,925kg
- you want one that has 8kW more power
- you want one that digs 1.0m (3.5ft) deeper
A zero-tail swing digger for builders, utility firms and hire fleets working beside walls, fences and live traffic. Common for trenching, foundations and drainage on urban sites.
Full U36-4 specifications →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 U36-4 and the Yanmar ViO17?
The Kubota U36-4 is the bigger machine by 1,925kg and has 8kW more power. The Kubota U36-4 is a 3.5 tonne zero-tail swing compact excavator; the Yanmar ViO17 is a a 1.8 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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