Head to head
Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip vs Yanmar ViO20-6
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 10kW more power.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Engine power: the Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 10kW more power.
Specifications side by side
| Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip | Yanmar ViO20-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 24.8kW (33.2 bhp) @ 2800rpm | 15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm |
| Payload | 3000 kg | - |
| Heaped capacity | 1680 litres | - |
| Engine | Yanmar 3TNV88 | - |
| Operating weight | - | 2,125 kg (4,685 lb) (rubber track, canopy) |
| Dig depth | - | 2,410 mm (94.9 in) (blade down) |
| Overall width | - | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) |
Sources: Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip, Yanmar ViO20-6. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the 3 Tonne Front Tip if...
- you want one that has 10kW more power
A mid-size front tip dumper for groundworks, drainage and general muck shifting on UK sites where a 3 tonne payload is enough. Sits between the 1 tonne hi-tip and the 6 tonne dumpers in the Thwaites range.
Full 3 Tonne Front Tip specifications →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 Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip and the Yanmar ViO20-6?
The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip has 10kW more power. The Thwaites 3 Tonne Front Tip is a 3 tonne front tip site dumper; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.
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