Mini excavators 2–3 t

Bobcat E26 vs Sany SY26U

Bobcat E26

Bobcat

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Sany SY26U

Sany

Data: manufacturers and Bobcat's comparison tests. Does your experience say otherwise? Tell us ↓

Technical data

Parameter	Bobcat E26	Sany SY26U
Capacity and weight
Operating weight kg	2,608	2,760
Working range
Digging depth mm	2,568	2,820
Dump height mm	2,845	3,100
Reach at ground level mm	4,413	4,850
Forces
Bucket breakout force kN	23.7	27.9
Arm breakout force kN	15.7	14.2
Dimensions
Max. tail overhang mm	70	0
Undercarriage width mm	1,500	1,550
Overall track length mm	1,965	2,005
Track width mm	250	300
Overall height mm	2,438	2,430
Engine
Engine power kW	15.4	15.2
Hydraulics
Pump capacity l/min	94	81
Auxiliary flow l/min	67	42.5
Travel and slew
Slew speed rpm	9.3	10
Travel speed low / high km/h	2.5 / 4.3	2.6 / 4.5
Boom swing left / right °	60 / 60	67 / 45

The table combines manufacturers' data and measurements from Bobcat's comparison tests (11-2024).

Both machines come in one configuration (one arm length, one counterweight). By specification the SY26U sits between the Bobcat E26 and E27z; for more digging range the E27z with long arm is the closer match. Bucket breakout force depends a lot on the bucket size used for the measurement.

— means the manufacturer does not publish this figure.

What the table shows

The E26 is 152 kg lighter (2,608 / 2,760 kg).
Pump capacity 94 / 81 l/min; auxiliary flow 67 / 42.5 l/min (+58%); arm breakout force 15.7 / 14.2 kN.
The SY26U digs deeper (2,820 / 2,568 mm), dumps higher (3,100 / 2,845 mm), reaches further (4,850 / 4,413 mm) and has the higher bucket force (27.9 / 23.7 kN); by specification it sits between the E26 and the Bobcat E27z.
The SY26U is a zero-tail machine; the E26 has 70 mm tail overhang. Tracks 250 / 300 mm.

What it means on the job

On a 3.5-tonne trailer

The trailer's gross weight covers the machine, the trailer and the attachments. The E26 leaves 152 kg more for buckets, a breaker or a tiltrotator on the same trailer.

Calculation: 2,760 − 2,608 = 152 kg

An attachment rated for 60 l/min

The E26's auxiliary flow of 67 l/min covers it. The SY26U supplies 42.5 l/min — 71% of the rated flow.

Calculation: 42.5 ÷ 60 = 0.71

Reaching over the side of a truck body

On the E26 the boom cylinder runs inside the boom, away from the edge of the body. On the SY26U the cylinder sits on the outside of the boom, facing the body.

Cleaning up with the boom offset

With the boom offset, the E26 bucket reaches the blade and scrapes the strip clean. On the SY26U a 25 cm gap remains between bucket and blade, and that strip is cleaned by hand.

Closer look: notes from Bobcat's comparison test

Measurements and notes come from Bobcat's comparison tests (11-2024), in which both machines did the same jobs. These figures are not in the manufacturers' brochures. “Operator's opinion” is the personal impression of the operator who worked in the test: it is subjective, and your experience may differ.

Undercarriage and blade

Bobcat E26Undercarriage and blade built from heavier sections (see photos); larger blade for backfilling. Tracks 250 mm.

Sany SY26UUndercarriage and blade built from lighter sections. Tracks 300 mm.

What it affects: The undercarriage and blade take the pushing and backfilling loads; track width affects ground pressure.

Boom cylinder

Bobcat E26Patented cylinder-in-boom design: the boom cylinder and its safety valve sit inside the boom, protected when loading a truck and when digging deep.

Bobcat E26 — Cylinder-in-boom design — Cylinder-in-boom design

Sany SY26UBoom cylinder in front of the boom with a light cover plate.

What it affects: A cylinder in front of the boom is exposed to the truck body when loading and to the trench wall when digging deep.

Workgroup build

Bobcat E26Cast kingpost, boom base, boom-arm joint and bucket link.

Sany SY26UWelded kingpost, boom base, boom-arm joint and bucket link.

What it affects: A cast node is one piece; a welded node is several parts joined together. This affects how the node copes with long-term alternating loads.

Dustpan and standard features

Bobcat E26The bucket can touch the blade in offset positions (dustpan work). Blade float and auto-shift as standard; boom offset controlled proportionally.

Sany SY26UA 25 cm gap remains between bucket and blade even at full offset. No blade float, no auto-shift; boom offset by foot pedal.

Cab

Bobcat E26R2-Series cab with large windows and narrow posts. Getting in and out works with the front window open.

Bobcat E26 — Door opening — Door opening

Sany SY26UEarlier cab design with smaller windows and wider posts. With the front window open, it partly blocks the door opening.

Sany SY26U — Door opening — Door opening

Auxiliary hydraulics

Bobcat E26Up to two auxiliary circuits plus a quick-coupler line; return to tank selected with a switch.

Sany SY26UUp to two auxiliary circuits plus a quick-coupler line; return to tank selected with a manual valve.

Service and transport

Bobcat E26Four tie-down points in the upper structure. Two-piece blade cylinder hoses for quicker repair. Machine IQ telematics as standard.

Sany SY26UNo tie-down points in the upper structure. One-piece blade cylinder hoses. Washer fluid tank inside the cab.

Origin

Bobcat E26Designed and built in the EU.

Sany SY26UDesigned and built in China.

Photos: Bobcat comparison tests. Sany SY26U overview photo: Sany.

Bobcat E26 at work

Do you agree?

Sources

Bobcat comparison, Bobcat E26 vs Sany SY26U (11-2024): manufacturers' data and Bobcat test measurements

Data checked 25.09.2026. Manufacturers may change their data; figures for a specific machine depend on its configuration.