Buying guide · 6 min read

Mini Excavator Shootout: Yanmar ViO25 vs Kubota U27-4 vs Bobcat E26

Yanmar, Kubota, and Bobcat all build excellent 2.5-tonne mini excavators. Here's how they really compare.

Published 4 April 2026 · Updated 6 June 2026

Reading time

6 min

Spec comparison

Spec	Yanmar ViO25	Kubota U27-4	Bobcat E26
Operating weight	2.68t	2.65t	2.7t
Engine	Yanmar (20.4 hp)	Kubota (22 hp)	Kubota (24.8 hp)
Max dig depth	3.05m	2.60m	2.66m
Standard thumb	Yes	No	No
Warranty	4yr/4,000h	2yr/2,000h	2yr/2,000h

Choose Yanmar for

Pure dig productivity
Best standard package (thumb included)
Long warranty

Choose Kubota for

Best operator cab comfort
Strongest dealer service network
Best resale value retention

Choose Bobcat for

Rental fleet operations
North American/Caribbean operator familiarity
Bobcat Capital financing

Excavator models referenced in this article

12 model spec sheets for further reading

CAT 320

22.5t

Caterpillar's flagship mid-class crawler — the global benchmark for fuel efficiency and parts availability in the 20-25 ton segment.

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CAT 336

36.8t

Caterpillar's 35-tonne workhorse — class-leading digging force and lifting capacity for heavy civil and mining-feeder duty.

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CAT 374

71.8t

Caterpillar's 70-tonne mining-class shovel — the standard for open-pit gold, bauxite, and iron ore loading operations.

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Yanmar ViO25

2.68t

Yanmar's iconic 2.7-tonne mini — zero tail-swing, hydraulic thumb standard, and a 4-year warranty.

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CAT 301.8

2.1t

Caterpillar's smallest mini excavator — sized for landscaping and tight-access utility work.

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CAT 302.5

2.6t

Compact 2.6t mini for residential landscaping and small utility installation.

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CAT 303.5

3.4t

Versatile 3.4t mini with standard and long-reach configurations.

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CAT 304

4-tonne compact crawler for mid-tier landscaping and utility projects.

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CAT 305

4.5t

Top-of-mini-class 4.5t crawler with three operator-configuration variants.

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CAT 306

5.8t

Sub-6t small excavator for general construction and utility work.

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CAT 307

7-tonne small excavator for general construction and landscaping.

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CAT 308

8.2t

8-tonne small excavator bridging the gap between mini and medium classes.

View specs →

Brands covered

Brand spec catalogues

CAT

Industry-leading fuel efficiency

Yanmar

Industry-leading zero tail-swing designs

Kubota

Number-one mini-excavator brand globally

Bobcat

Largest compact equipment dealer network globally

Frequently asked

Questions buyers ask

How do I get a quote for the excavator discussed in this article?

Contact Suriname Excavators via our quote form, phone, or WhatsApp. Share your destination country, project profile, and any specific configuration requirements. We respond with a tailored quote within one business day.

Do you offer financing options?

Yes. Excavator financing is available through manufacturer-backed credit programmes (SANY Capital, Hyundai Capital, XCMG Finance, JCB Finance, Develon Capital), regional commercial banks, and lease-to-own structures. Typical terms are 24-60 months. Indicative terms returned within five business days of receiving project documentation.

How long does excavator delivery take?

Caribbean lead times typically run 2-5 weeks; African lead times typically 5-10 weeks. Specific lead time depends on destination port, customs efficiency, and inland-transport leg. Contact us for a country-specific timeline.

Where can I buy Caterpillar excavators across the Caribbean and Africa?

Suriname Excavators supplies Caterpillar excavators to all 24 Caribbean and African countries we serve, with pre-export inspection, configuration to operating profile, and after-sales support included. See our Caterpillar model catalogue and country-availability pages for specifics.

What configurations of the CAT 320 are available?

The CAT 320 is supplied in 2 configurations: 320 (standard), 320 GC. Mid-class construction, road building, and quarry operations. See the full spec sheet for engine, bucket, dig depth, and reach details.

What after-sales support do you provide?

Every machine is enrolled in our service tracking programme: scheduled maintenance reminders, parts pre-positioning, 72-hour field-service response for major mechanical events, and technical hotline access. Parts inventory is held in our regional warehouse for fast dispatch.

Sources & further reading

Authoritative references

Cite this page

APA

Suriname Excavators. (2026). Mini Excavator Shootout: Yanmar ViO25 vs Kubota U27-4 vs Bobcat E26. Retrieved 10 June 2026, from https://surinameexcavators.com/blog/mini-excavator-shootout-yanmar-kubota-bobcat

MLA

"Mini Excavator Shootout: Yanmar ViO25 vs Kubota U27-4 vs Bobcat E26." Suriname Excavators, 10 June 2026, https://surinameexcavators.com/blog/mini-excavator-shootout-yanmar-kubota-bobcat.

Chicago

Suriname Excavators. "Mini Excavator Shootout: Yanmar ViO25 vs Kubota U27-4 vs Bobcat E26." Accessed 10 June 2026. https://surinameexcavators.com/blog/mini-excavator-shootout-yanmar-kubota-bobcat.

BibTeX

@misc{surinameexcavators__blog_mini_excavator_shootout_yanmar_kubota_bobcat,
  title = {Mini Excavator Shootout: Yanmar ViO25 vs Kubota U27-4 vs Bobcat E26},
  author = {Suriname Excavators},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://surinameexcavators.com/blog/mini-excavator-shootout-yanmar-kubota-bobcat},
  note = {Accessed: 10 June 2026}
}

Last updated: 6 June 2026

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