2026 John Deere 17P

The John Deere 17P Compact Excavator represents a purpose-built 1.7-metric ton mini excavator designed to deliver exceptional productivity and versatility in the most confined working environments where larger machines cannot operate. Powered by a Yanmar 3TNV74F diesel engine producing 14.5 net horsepower at 2,400 rpm with a displacement of 61 cubic inches, this compact powerhouse meets EPA Final Tier 4 and EU Stage IV emissions standards without requiring aftertreatment devices, significantly reducing maintenance requirements and operating expenses. The 17P features a reduced-tail-swing design with only 2 feet 3 inches of rear-end swing radius, maximizing maneuverability and performance in cramped residential backyards, urban construction sites, and tight spaces between buildings where precision excavation work is required. The innovative variable-width undercarriage system can be hydraulically retracted to a minimum width of 3 feet 3 inches to navigate through narrow gates, doorways, and pathways, then expanded to 4 feet 2 inches maximum width for enhanced stability during digging operations, enabling the machine to work where manual labor was previously the only option. Equipped with a standard 6-foot boom and 3 feet 1 inch standard arm configuration, the 17P delivers impressive performance specifications including maximum digging reach of 12 feet 6 inches, maximum digging depth of 7 feet 2 inches, maximum cutting height of 11 feet 7 inches, and maximum dumping height of 8 feet 3 inches, providing exceptional working envelope for a machine of its compact stature. The excavator generates substantial digging forces with 3,597 pounds of bucket breakout force and 1,933 pounds of arm digging force, enabling efficient excavation in various soil conditions and material types. Lift capacities demonstrate remarkable capability with 1,015 pounds over the front at ground level at 10-foot radius with blade down, and 470 pounds over the side, making it suitable for material handling and placement tasks in addition to excavation work. The standard hydraulically adjustable backfill blade with 3 feet 3 inches minimum to 4 feet 2 inches maximum width and 10.2-inch height enhances machine versatility by enabling grading and backfilling operations, while also providing additional stability when operating attachments or working on uneven terrain, and can be positioned from 11 inches highest to 9 inches lowest position. The open-center hydraulic system features two variable-displacement piston pumps each delivering 5.1 gpm, one fixed-gear pump providing 2.9 gpm, and one pilot pump, with auxiliary hydraulic flow of 7.9 gpm available at the boom end for powering a wide variety of attachments including hydraulic hammers, augers, plate compactors, and clamps. Independent swing boom capability allows 70 degrees of offset to the left and 50 degrees to the right with a 4-inch boom-swing pivot-offset distance, enabling the operator to work parallel to walls, foundations, and obstacles while keeping the undercarriage stationary. The hydraulic pilot-operated controls provide smooth and precise command of all functions including boom, arm, bucket, swing, boom swing, blade, travel, and auxiliary operations through comfortable pilot-control levers. A control pattern selector valve conveniently located beneath the seat includes a sight glass display, allowing operators to easily switch between excavator-style and backhoe-style control patterns to match individual preferences and maximize productivity. The spacious operator station features a wide entryway for easy access, suspension vinyl seat with fore/aft adjustment and retractable 2-inch seat belt, comprehensive instrumentation including hour meter, fuel gauge with low-fuel indicator, engine oil pressure warning, alternator charge warning, engine coolant warning with alarm, preheat indicator, and work lights indicator, along with a 12-volt accessory outlet for convenience. Standard ROPS/TOPS/FOPS canopy structure provides operator protection while maintaining excellent visibility and ventilation, with optional four-season cab available featuring expansive front glass for superior visibility in all weather conditions. The undercarriage system utilizes independent planetary final drives with two-speed axial-piston propel motors that automatically adjust track speeds based on load conditions, slowing to low speed when encountering heavier loads then returning to high speed when loads normalize, with travel speeds of 1.5 mph in low range and 2.6 mph in high range. Standard 9-inch rubber tracks with 4 feet track length from sprocket center to idler center provide ground pressure of only 3.9 psi, minimizing surface disturbance on finished lawns, landscaping, and sensitive terrain. The robust box-constructed X-frame undercarriage design mirrors that of larger excavators with superior dirt and debris shedding capabilities, while track-sag adjusters conveniently located in the center of each track frame enable easy tension maintenance using only a standard high-pressure grease gun. Heavy-duty side shields protect propel motors and boom/blade cylinders from material impacts and debris, while securely clamped steel hydraulic lines and CORDURA-covered rubber hoses provide exceptional durability in demanding applications. The standard mechanical wedge-style quick-coupler enables rapid attachment changes and accepts a wide variety of John Deere work tools including multiple bucket sizes ranging from ditching to heavy-duty configurations with optional bucket teeth, hydraulic hammers with various points and tools for breaking concrete and rock, chain-drive augers with diverse bit sizes and adapters for drilling applications, clamps for material handling, and plate compactors, with many attachments compatible across other John Deere compact machines for maximum fleet utilization. Serviceability features include hinged access doors providing wide-open access to side-by-side oil cooler and radiator with trash-resistant design for quick core cleanout, ground-level service points, extended maintenance intervals, and vandal protection for service doors and fuel cap. The swing system utilizes a wet-disc swing brake that is spring-applied and hydraulically released for automatic operation and long-term maintenance-free performance, with swing speed of 9.4 rpm and full 360-degree rotation capability. Fluid capacities include 5.3-gallon fuel tank for extended runtime, 3.7-gallon hydraulic tank, 2.9-quart cooling system, and 3.3-quart engine oil capacity with full-flow oil filter. Standard equipment includes engine coolant rated to negative 37 degrees Celsius, engine preheater for cold-weather starting, fan guard, fuel/water separator, isolation-mounted engine for reduced vibration, key start switch with electric fuel shutoff, single dry-type air filter, under-hood muffler, auxiliary function foot control, boom-swing foot control, hydraulic-adjustable variable-width undercarriage, propel motor shields, standard 265-pound counterweight with 18-inch height and 40mm rear overhang, 360-degree rotation upperstructure, motion alarm with cancel switch, 40-amp alternator with low-maintenance battery and blade-type multi-fused circuits, positive-terminal battery covers, horn, propel levers, and one boom-mounted work light. Optional equipment includes JDLink connectivity hardware with John Deere Operations Center account for analyzing critical machine data, tracking utilization, reviewing diagnostic alerts, and enabling Connected Support that uses data from thousands of connected machines to proactively address issues, with dealers able to remotely monitor machine health and update software without jobsite visits. Operating weight with standard arm, standard counterweight, rubber tracks, full fuel tank, and 175-pound operator is 3,790 pounds, with compact transport dimensions of 11 feet 6 inches overall length with blade in front, 7 feet 10 inches transport height, 6 inches minimum ground clearance, and 3 feet 3 inches upperstructure width. The 17P excavator is ideally suited for residential construction, landscaping, utility installation, trenching, site development, rental fleet applications, and any project requiring powerful excavation capabilities in extremely confined spaces where larger equipment cannot access, making it the perfect solution for contractors specializing in urban work, backyard projects, and tight-access applications where compact size, variable-width capability, and reduced-tail-swing design are essential for productivity and profitability.