Dig tight to foundations and fences without watching the counterweight.
The U17-5 reaches about 7'6" deep, which covers most footings, drainage runs, and utility trenches on a residential or small commercial lot. If you're regularly digging deeper than that, a larger class would suit you better.
Kubota actually classifies the U17-5 as zero tail swing rather than just tight tail swing — the counterweight stays within the width of the tracks as the machine rotates, so you can dig right up against a foundation, fence, or wall without the back end swinging out and hitting it. That's the U17-5's main advantage over a same-size conventional machine on a tight lot.
The U17-5 weighs about 3,900 lb, which many half-ton trucks and a tandem-axle trailer can handle. The right trailer and hitch setup depends on your specific truck, so I'd confirm that combination with you directly before you buy.
If you're renting a machine like this three or more weekends a summer, ownership often pencils out once you weigh rental cost against a loan payment and resale value. I like running that math against your actual rental history rather than guessing.
The U17-5 is a canopy-only (ROPS) model — Kubota doesn't currently offer an enclosed cab option at this size. That keeps it light and affordable, which is part of why it's popular in the rental market. If cab protection through a Grey-Bruce winter matters to you, the step-up KX018-4 or U27-4 both offer a cab option.
Tell me about your property and the work you need done — I'll point you to the right machine, even if it isn't this one.
Tell me what you're working with