Bobcat 331 vs Kubota U17

The Bobcat 331 is the heavier machine, at 3.27 t against 1.68 t, and the Bobcat 331 has more power (29.9 kW against 11.6 kW).

The Bobcat 331 is ahead on: more power, digs deeper, reaches further, dumps higher, bigger fuel tank, faster. The Kubota U17 is ahead on: narrower to transport, lower to transport.

Below, every figure both makers publish sits side by side, with the Bobcat 331 and the Kubota U17 drawn to the same scale from their dimension drawings.

Bobcat · mini excavator
Bobcat 331
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Kubota · mini excavator
Kubota U17
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At a glance

Bold is the machine ahead on each figure, with its lead.

Figure	Bobcat 331	Kubota U17
Operating weight	3,273 kg	1,675 kg
Net powerHigher is better	29.9 kW+158%	11.6 kW
Max digging depthHigher is better	3.101 m+34%	2.31 m
Max reach at ground levelHigher is better	4.874 m+27%	3.84 m
Max dumping heightHigher is better	3.089 m+27%	2.44 m
Fuel tankHigher is better	57.9 L+205%	19 L
Travel speed (high)Higher is better	5.6 km/h+37%	4.1 km/h
Overall widthLower is better	1.54 m	0.99 m+36%
Overall height (to top of cab)Lower is better	2.391 m	2.34 m+2%
Overall length	4.88 m	3.545 m

All specifications

Every figure the makers publish. Search for one, or show only those that differ.

Differences only(59)

FigureBobcat 331 Kubota U17

Dimensions

Overall length4.88 mTravel position; 4,882 mm in the O&M manual3.545 m

Overall height (to top of cab)2.391 m2,394 mm in the O&M manual2.34 mtop of canopy

Swing centre to front (transport)3.493 mNot published

Engine cover height1.476 mNot published

Ground clearance, counterweight0.511 m532 mm in the O&M manualNot published

Blade height0.378 m0.26 m

Overall width1.54 mOver tracks0.99 m

Shoe width0.32 mRubber track0.23 mrubber track

Ground clearance (minimum)Not published0.15 m

Track length on groundNot published1.23 mtumbler distance

Track lengthNot published1.585 mcrawler length

Performance

Max digging height4.539 m3.54 m

Max dumping height3.089 m2.44 m

Max digging depth3.101 m2.31 m

Max vertical wall digging depth2.202 m1.68 m

Max reach at ground level4.874 m3.84 m

Stick length1.2 mNot published

Bucket digging force31 kN1,534 kgfmax breakout force, bucket

Rated lift capacity602 kgNot published

Swing speed9.2 rpm9.1 rpm

Minimum swing radius1.4 mNot published

Boom swing, left90°Not published

Boom swing, right50°Not published

Travel speed (high)5.6 km/h4.1 km/h

Travel speed (low)2.1 km/h2.1 km/h

Ground pressure29.4 kPa0.27 kgf/cm2

Max digging reachNot published3.9 m

Min turning radiusNot published1.44 mfront swing radius without boom swing

Min turning radius (boom swung)Not published1.215 mfront swing radius with boom swing

Tail swing radiusNot published0.62 m

Arm digging forceNot published867 kgfmax breakout force, arm

Boom swingNot published65 deg. left / 58 deg. right

Max drawbar pullNot published2,207 kgf

Weight

Operating weight3,273 kg1,675 kg

Engine

Engine modelKubota V2203-EBKubota D902-E3

Cylinders4D-series O&M manualNot published

Displacement2.2 L0.9 L898 cc

Net power29.9 kW (40.0 hp)SAE net at 2,400 rpm11.6 kW (15.1 HP)SAE J1349, at 2,300 rpm

Gross powerNot published12 kW (16.1 HP)SAE J1995, at 2,300 rpm

Hydraulics

Pump flow91 L/minTotal capacity; imperial 24 gpm17.3 L/min x 2 + 10.4 L/min x 1

Auxiliary circuit flow62 L/minNot published

Auxiliary circuit relief172 barNot published

Auxiliary flowNot published28 L/min

Service capacities

Fuel tank57.9 L19 L

Hydraulic tank29.5 L13 L

Engine oil, with filter7.1 LNot published

Cooling system15.1 LWithout heater, including recovery tankNot published

Final drive oil, each side1.6 LNot published

Hydraulic system, with tankNot published23 L

Service intervals

Engine oil and filter250 hoursFirst change at 50 hNot published

Fuel filters250 hoursNot published

Hydraulic filter500 hoursAlso at first 100 hNot published

Hydraulic oil1,000 hoursWith the filter; also at first 100 hNot published

Final drive oil1,000 hoursNot published

Coolant1,000 hoursOr every 6 monthsNot published

Swing circle and pinion grease50 hoursThree fittingsNot published

Pivot points grease10 hours21 placesNot published

Blade

Blade widthNot published1.24 mextended; 0.99 m retracted

Max blade heightNot published0.28 m

Max blade depthNot published0.19 m

Sources: Bobcat D-Series Excavators brochure (322, 325, 328, 331, 331E, 334, 337, 341), Machine.Market copy of the Bobcat Company brochure · Kubota U17-3 brochure 8907E-01-AA (Kubota Australia, 2025-04)

Drawn to scale

Side views measured off each maker's dimension drawing, front edges and ground lined up.

Bobcat 331Kubota U17Same scale, front edges and ground lined up.

Bobcat 331 vs Kubota U17: questions

Which is bigger, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

By operating weight the Bobcat 331 is the biggest at 3.27 t, then the Kubota U17 at 1.68 t.

Which has more power, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 29.9 kW (40.0 hp), Kubota U17 11.6 kW (15.1 HP) (net power), a 158% difference.

Which digs deeper, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 3.101 m, Kubota U17 2.31 m (max digging depth), a 34% difference.

Which reaches further, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 4.874 m, Kubota U17 3.84 m (max reach at ground level), a 27% difference.

Which has the bigger fuel tank, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

The Bobcat 331: Bobcat 331 57.9 L, Kubota U17 19 L (fuel tank), a 205% difference.

Which is narrower to transport, the Bobcat 331 or Kubota U17?

The Kubota U17: Bobcat 331 1.54 m, Kubota U17 0.99 m (overall width), a 36% difference.

Where do these figures come from?

Each model's own published spec sheet or brochure, linked under the table. Builds differ by market and year, so confirm the figures for a particular machine with its dealer.

Can I rent or buy these machines in the UAE?

Each model's page lists the ones for hire and for sale on EquipmentsFinder now, with typical prices in AED.