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Head to head

Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip vs Yanmar ViO20-6

The Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip has 40kW more power.

Last reviewed 13 September 2026

Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip
Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip - image: Molson Group
Yanmar ViO20-6
Yanmar ViO20-6 - image: TDX

Key differences

Specifications side by side

Thwaites 9 Tonne Front TipYanmar ViO20-6
Engine power55.4 kW (74 hp) @ 2200rpm15.0 kW (20.1 hp) at 2,400 rpm
Payload9000 kg-
Heaped capacity4600 litres-
EngineDeutz TCD 3.6 L4-
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 9 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 9 Tonne Front Tip if...

  • you want one that has 40kW more power

A 9 tonne front tip dumper for high-volume earthworks, civils and quarry style haulage where a bigger payload cuts the number of trips.

Full 9 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 9 Tonne Front Tip and the Yanmar ViO20-6?

The Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip has 40kW more power. The Thwaites 9 Tonne Front Tip is a 9 tonne front tip site dumper with cab; the Yanmar ViO20-6 is a a 2.0-2.1 tonne true zero tail swing mini excavator.

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