Kubota U17-5 vs. John Deere 17G: True Zero-Tail Swing or Reduced-Tail Swing at the Smallest Size

The Kubota U17-5 and John Deere 17G sit within 112 pounds of each other, making this the closest weight-matched pairing between these two brands' smallest excavators. Both are genuinely entry-size machines built for narrow-access work, but they take different approaches to the one spec that matters most at this size: the U17-5 is Kubota's only true zero-tail-swing U-Series model, while the 17G uses Deere's reduced-tail-swing geometry instead. That single difference, more than horsepower or breakout force, is what should drive this decision.

The Real Numbers, Side by Side

The Kubota U17-5 runs a 16.1-horsepower diesel with an operating weight of 3,902 pounds. Maximum digging depth reaches 7 feet 6 inches, and bucket breakout force is rated at 3,547 pounds. It carries Kubota's true zero-tail-swing design -- the only U-Series model with that designation. The John Deere 17G runs a 14.5-net-horsepower Yanmar diesel with an operating weight of 3,790 pounds, about 112 pounds lighter than the U17-5. Maximum digging depth reaches 7 feet 2 inches, slightly less than the U17-5, and bucket breakout force is rated at 3,597 pounds -- marginally higher than the Kubota despite the lower horsepower. The 17G uses Deere's reduced-tail-swing design with a tailswing radius of 2 feet 3 inches, rather than Deere's true zero-swing commitment, which is reserved for the larger 50G.

Specs Side by Side

• Horsepower: U17-5 16.1 hp vs. 17G 14.5 hp net

• Operating weight: U17-5 3,902 lbs vs. 17G 3,790 lbs

• Max digging depth: U17-5 7 ft 6 in vs. 17G 7 ft 2 in

• Bucket breakout force: U17-5 3,547 lbs vs. 17G 3,597 lbf

• Swing system: U17-5 true zero-tail swing vs. 17G reduced-tail swing (2 ft 3 in radius)

The Honest Read on This Close a Matchup

These two machines are close enough on raw digging numbers that neither one wins on specs alone -- the 17G actually edges out slightly more breakout force on less horsepower, while the U17-5 digs a few inches deeper and carries a bit more weight for stability. That rough parity is exactly why the swing-system difference becomes the deciding factor rather than a footnote. If your work genuinely requires the counterweight to stay fully inside the tracks on every rotation, the U17-5 is the only one of these two that actually guarantees that. If a small, manageable overhang is acceptable, the 17G performs essentially as well on every other number that matters, often at a different price point depending on your local dealer.

Why Entry-Size Excavators Handle Swing Geometry Differently Than Bigger Machines

At under 4,000 pounds, both of these machines are light enough that a tight-tail or reduced-tail overhang is a smaller real-world risk than it would be on a heavier excavator -- there's simply less mass swinging past the tracks, and less force behind it if it does make contact with something. That's part of why Kubota reserves zero-tail swing for the U17-5 specifically rather than every U-Series model, and why Deere's reduced-tail-swing 17G and 26G still see wide use in tight residential work despite not carrying the full zero-swing guarantee. The calculus changes at larger sizes like the 50G and U48-5, where more mass and more momentum make the swing-clearance guarantee matter more, not less.

Who Should Buy Which

Fence contractors and demolition subs working literally against a property line or shared wall should lean toward the U17-5 for the guaranteed zero-swing clearance. Irrigation installers, residential landscapers, and utility locate crews working with reasonable (if tight) clearance can comfortably run the 17G and get essentially the same digging performance. For contractors without a strong brand preference already, the decision often comes down to local dealer support and parts availability as much as the spec sheet -- both machines are genuinely well-matched competitors at this size.

Rent-vs-Own for Either Machine

Entry-size excavators like these rent cheaply per day, but a contractor running this size regularly across a season will typically see the cumulative rental total exceed what financed ownership would cost, without building any equity in the process. Owning either machine also removes the risk of a rental yard running short on small excavators during a busy stretch -- a genuine risk given how widely this size class gets booked by landscapers, fence contractors, and small utility crews alike.

Financing Either Machine

BFC finances both the Kubota U17-5 and the John Deere 17G nationwide, for startups and established contractors with good or bad credit. For individual model detail, see our U17-5 spotlight and our 17G spotlight. For more on how swing geometry compares across both brands' full lineups, see our tail-swing explainer. For dedicated excavator financing details, visit our excavator equipment financing page.

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