A Closer Look: Hitachi’s Smallest Excavator, the ZX17U-5N

Updated Jan 14, 2025

Hitachi upgraded its six-model lineup of ZAXIS-5N compact excavators earlier this year, and Equipment World got a closer look at its smallest model, the 3,790-pound ZX17U-5N.

The ZX17U-5N offers 12 feet 6 inches of dig reach and a maximum digging depth of 7 feet 2 inches. It is powered by a 14.7-horsepower Yanmar diesel engine and paired with a proprietary hydraulic system for optimum performance, the company says. Standard auxiliary hydraulic lines have been pre-plumbed to the end of the boom.

To get a walkaround tour of the machine from the 2024 ARA Show, check out the video above.

Thanks to its short tailswing radius, the ZX17U-5N can work around buildings, walls, guardrails and other structures. A variable track width undercarriage and foldable dozer blade allow the machine to travel through gates and doorways as narrow as 36 inches.

Full hydraulic pilot levers are used to control the front attachment, boom, swing travel and blade. A 1-way/2-way selector valve is used for attachment mode. An auxiliary function lever (AFL) includes an analog switch, trigger switch, and horn for running attachments, such as a breaker.

The three-pillar canopy, compatible with ROPS and Level 1 OPG provides all-around visibility to the jobsite. LED work lights now come standard for added visibility in low-light situations.

The boom hoses are located at the top of the boom and the cylinders are covered to protect them from damage. Wide open covers make service points easily accessible. A battery disconnect switch prevents battery discharge during long-term storage.

Quick Specs

  • Net Power: 14.7 horsepower
  • Operating Weight: 3,790 pounds
  • Maximum Dig Reach: 12 feet 6 inches
  • Maximum Dig Depth: 7 feet 2 inches