Head to head
SANY SY26U vs Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)
The Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 4kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 4kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| SANY SY26U | Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 14.6 kW at 2,400 rpm | 18.1 kW / 24.3 bhp at 2,000 rpm |
| Operating weight | 2,660 kg | - |
| Dig depth | 2,810 mm | - |
| Transport width | 1,550 mm | - |
| Payload | - | 3,000 kg |
| Unladen weight | - | 2,250 kg |
Sources: SANY SY26U, Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel). Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the SY26U if...
The SANY SY26U is a 2.6 tonne mini excavator positioned as a value alternative to the established Kubota, JCB and Takeuchi machines in the same size class, sold in the UK through a small number of appointed dealers. SANY's UK presence is newer and thinner than the market leaders, so buyers weigh the lower purchase price against a less mature parts and resale network. It is more often bought outright by owner-operators than stocked in volume by the large national hire fleets.
Full SY26U specifications →Buy or hire the MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) if...
- you want one that has 4kW more power
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Power Swivel, badged MACH2080, is the step-up size from the 1 tonne class and a standard fixture on larger UK groundworks and civils sites needing higher payload per cycle. Its power swivel skip rotates independently of the direction of travel, letting the operator tip to the side without turning the whole machine around. It is hired alongside excavators of a similar class to keep material moving off the dig face.
Full MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the SANY SY26U and the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel)?
The Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) has 4kW more power. The SANY SY26U is a a 2.6 tonne mini excavator; the Thwaites MACH2080 (3 Tonne Power Swivel) is a a 3 tonne payload swivel-skip site dumper.
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