plant hire - head to head
Kubota vs Yanmar
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Kubota | Yanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Japan | Japan |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Available, smaller network |
| Range covers | Mini and compact excavators, Compact track loaders, Compact tractors, Engines used across the plant industry | mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, track carriers, backhoe loaders |
| Best known for | KX series | ViO17 |
Choose Kubota if...
The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.
Look at: KX series, U series
Full Kubota profile →Choose Yanmar if...
Yanmar is a Japanese engine and machinery manufacturer whose Compact Equipment division builds mini excavators, compact wheel loaders and track carriers. Its true zero tail swing mini excavators, including the ViO17 and ViO20-6, are specified by groundworks and landscaping contractors who need to work tight to walls and boundaries. It competes directly with Kubota, Takeuchi and Bobcat in the sub-3 tonne excavator hire fleet, though it is less widely stocked across UK hire depots than those brands.
Look at: ViO17, ViO20-6
Full Yanmar profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Kubota vs Yanmar - common questions
Is Kubota better than Yanmar?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force. Yanmar is a Japanese engine and machinery manufacturer whose Compact Equipment division builds mini excavators, compact wheel loaders and track carriers. Its true zero tail swing mini excavators, including the ViO17 and ViO20-6, are specified by groundworks and landscaping contractors who need to work tight to walls and boundaries. It competes directly with Kubota, Takeuchi and Bobcat in the sub-3 tonne excavator hire fleet, though it is less widely stocked across UK hire depots than those brands.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Kubota or Yanmar?
Kubota: Extremely common in UK hire fleets, particularly at the one to three tonne end. Yanmar: UK sales and hire fleet supply go through dealers such as Field and Forest Machinery rather than a large multi-branch network.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.