What Size Excavator Do I Need? Kubota U17 vs U35 (Homeowner & Contractor Guide)

If your project needs tight backyard access and lighter digging, rent the Kubota U17. If you're going deeper or doing septic, foundations, or bigger stumps, step up to the Kubota U35. The deciding factors are dig depth, operating weight, and how narrow your access is — not just the price. Below is a straight guide to picking the right one the first time.

At Titanium Equipment Group, both machines are newer Kubotas with A/C cabs and backup cameras, and we deliver across Georgina, Durham Region, Simcoe, Kawartha Lakes, and York Region.

Start With Three Questions

1. How deep are you digging? A trench for a downspout is very different from a footing or a septic bed.
2. How tight is your access? Can the machine get to the dig spot, or is there a 3-foot gate in the way?
3. How heavy is the material? Clay, roots, and rock are harder work than loose topsoil.

Answer those and the choice usually makes itself.

The Kubota U17: Tight-Access Specialist

The U17 is a ~1.7-tonne class mini excavator. Its whole reason for existing is fitting where bigger machines can't — it slips through roughly a 3-foot gate, which makes it the go-to for backyards, side yards, and the narrow lots common in older parts of Keswick, Sutton, and Beaverton.

It's a great fit for:

• Drainage and downspout trenching
• Landscaping, garden beds, and small ponds
• Digging for fence posts, decks, and small footings
• Light utility trenching
• Working around existing structures where space is tight

What you trade for that compact size is reach and dig depth. The U17 doesn't go as deep or muscle through heavy clay and big roots as easily as the U35. For a lot of homeowner and light-contractor jobs, that's a trade worth making.

The Kubota U35: The Do-More Workhorse

The U35 is a ~3.7 tonne class compact excavator. More weight means more stability, more reach, and noticeably more digging power. When the job goes deeper or the ground fights back, this is the machine.

It's the right call for:

• Septic system installs and repairs
• Small foundations and footings that need real depth
• Stump and root removal
• Heavier trenching in clay or stony ground
• Bigger landscaping and grading projects

The U35 still rides on rubber tracks, so it handles the soft spring ground you see on rural Brock and Scugog properties, but it's a bigger footprint than the U17 — so confirm your access before you book.

Quick Comparison

Rates are 2026 starting rates and exclude delivery and attachments. Reach out for a firm quote.

Matching the Machine to Common Jobs

Backyard drainage / French drain: Usually a U17. Shallow trench, tight access — this is its sweet spot.

Septic system: U35. You need depth and power, and septic work isn't where you want to come up short.

Foundation or footings: Depends on depth. A small deck footing might be fine with a U17; a deeper foundation calls for the U35.

Stump removal: A single small stump might come out with a U17, but for established roots and multiple stumps, the U35 saves you a lot of grief.

Landscaping and garden beds: Often a U17 — precise, light, and easy to maneuver around plantings and hardscape.

If you're between sizes, it's usually safer to go up. Renting the smaller machine and finding out mid-job that it can't reach depth or break through the ground means a second rental and a lost day.

Access Is the Deal-Breaker

Here's the thing people miss: the most powerful excavator is useless if it can't reach the hole. Before you book, measure your tightest pinch point — gate width, the gap between buildings, overhead branches, soft spots a heavier machine might sink into. Send us those numbers and we'll confirm the right fit before delivery. A two-minute measurement saves a wasted trip.

FAQ

What's the real difference between the U17 and U35? Size and capability. The U17 (~1.7 tonne) is built for tight access and lighter digging. The U35 (~3.7 tonne) digs deeper, reaches farther, and powers through tougher ground for septic, foundations, and stumps.

Which one do I need for a septic system? The U35. Septic work needs the depth and digging power the larger machine provides.

Can the U17 dig deep enough for a foundation? For shallow footings, sometimes. For a proper foundation depth, the U35 is the better choice. Tell us your target depth and we'll confirm.

Do I need experience to operate one? These Kubotas are operator-friendly, but excavators take some care. If you'd rather not run it yourself, operated rentals are available.

Get the Right Excavator the First Time

Don't guess on size — tell us your dig depth and access, and we'll match you to the U17 or U35 that finishes the job. Call or text 437-907-0671, or email admin@titaniumequipmentgroup.ca to request a quote. We deliver across Georgina, Durham Region, Simcoe, Kawartha Lakes, and York Region.