When you need real dig depth in a small footprint, the 2017 John Deere 17G mini excavator is the machine that shows up and fits where bigger excavators and skid loaders can’t.

CIS Equipment rents the 17G out of Union Grove, Wisconsin, with delivery to jobs in Union Grove, Burlington, Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and surrounding Southeastern Wisconsin communities, as well as projects across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois when scheduling allows.

It’s a perfect fit for contractors and homeowners searching for things like:

• “small excavator rental for backyard”
• “mini excavator for trenching near me”
• “17G mini excavator rental Wisconsin”

What the 2017 John Deere 17G Is Best For

CIS’s mini excavator lineup is built around tight-access digging without oversizing the machine.

The 2017 17G is ideal when you’re:

• Digging utilities & trenching: Water/sewer laterals, conduit runs, and shallow utility lines where you need accurate trench depth but don’t have room for a full-size excavator.
• Installing drainage systems: Swales, French drains, and downspout tie-ins around homes and small commercial buildings.
• Footings & small foundations: Small building additions, garage slabs, sheds, and landscape walls that require precise, repeatable depth.
• Landscape & hardscape prep in tight spaces: Backyard projects, patios, steps, and retaining walls where access is limited and hand-digging would kill your schedule.

If you’re not sure whether the 17G is big enough, tell us your trench length, depth, soil conditions, and access—we’ll confirm if this is the right mini or if you should step up to a larger model.

2017 John Deere 17G – Key Specs That Actually Matter

The John Deere 17G is the smallest excavator in the Deere G-series line, but it still offers impressive performance for its size.

Core specs:

• Net power: 10.8 kW (14.5 hp) Yanmar diesel engine
• Max digging depth: 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in)
• Operating weight: 1,720 kg (3,790 lb)
• Max reach at ground: approx. 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)
• Overall width: about 980 mm (3 ft 3 in) – narrow enough for many residential gates and tight side yards
• Variable-width undercarriage & reduced tail swing – designed specifically to work in close quarters without constant worry about hitting structures.

In plain language: the 2017 John Deere 17G is small enough to get into backyards and tight spaces, but has enough dig depth and power to handle real trenching, drainage, and footing work.

2017 John Deere 17G Mini Excavator Rental Rates

CIS’s mini excavator pricing is clearly laid out and the 2017 17G uses the standard mini rates (unless otherwise noted at booking):

• Daily: $350
• Weekly: $1,050
• Monthly: $2,700

(Exact pricing is model-specific and confirmed when you book, but these are the current listed mini excavator rates on the CIS site.)

When you reach out, we’ll:

1. Confirm availability for the 2017 John Deere 17G on your dates.
2. Check that the 17G has the dig depth and reach you need.
3. Help you choose daily, weekly, or monthly rates based on your schedule so you’re not overpaying.

Policies for Mini Excavator Rentals – Delivery, Deposit, Insurance & Support

Mini excavator rentals, including the 2017 John Deere 17G, follow CIS’s standard mini policies:

• Delivery & pickup – Available across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois; many jobs in Southeastern Wisconsin can qualify for same-day delivery when scheduling allows. Fees are quoted at booking.
• Minimum rental – One-day minimum rental for mini excavators.
• Deposit – A $250 deposit is required to reserve your dates. If you cancel within one week of the start date, the deposit is non-refundable.
• Insurance – Insurance is required for larger machines like dozers and full-size excavators. For minis, requirements depend on the model—we will confirm what’s needed for the 17G when you book.
• Support – You get 24/7 phone support for the entire rental period, so if ground conditions change, you have a question, or something doesn’t feel right, you can talk to a real person, not a call center.

How to Book the 2017 John Deere 17G

Booking the 17G is designed to be simple, whether you’re a contractor or a homeowner:

1. Call or message with your job details – Tell us what you’re doing: trenching, drainage, light footings, or backyard work. Include trench depth, length, soil type, and access width.
2. We confirm machine size & attachments – We’ll verify that the 2017 John Deere 17G has the dig depth and reach you need, and recommend appropriate buckets and thumbs (where available) based on your job.
3. Schedule delivery (or pickup) – We coordinate delivery from Union Grove to your jobsite—or arrange pickup if that makes more sense for you.
4. On-site walkthrough and you’re digging – At drop-off, we walk you through the controls, safety basics, and daily checks so your operator is comfortable before we leave.
5. Complete your project with support on call – You run the work; if something comes up, you have 24/7 phone support from CIS during the rental.

Use the Mini Excavators equipment page to request a fast quote or call CIS Equipment directly to reserve the 2017 17G John Deere for your project.

Is the 2017 John Deere 17G the Right Mini Excavator for Your Job?

You’re probably comparing options like “mini excavator vs. skid steer” or “17G vs bigger mini”. Here’s how to think about it:

Choose the 2017 John Deere 17G if:

• You’re working in tight residential spaces: side yards, between houses, near garages, or along fences. The 3 ft 3 in width and reduced tail swing are made for close quarters.
• Your required dig depth is 7 ft 2 in or less, which covers a lot of utility and drainage work.
• You want a machine light enough (about 3,790 lb) that it’s easier to move and less intrusive on finished yards than a full-size excavator.

You might consider a different CIS machine if:

• You need deeper trenches or larger footings – then a bigger mini or a full-size excavator may be a better fit.
• Most of your work is grading, backfilling, or moving material on the surface – a skid loader or compact track loader might be more efficient.
• Access is extremely limited, but the work is shallow – in some cases, a mini skid steer plus attachments is the better choice.

If you’re unsure, just describe your project in normal language—“French drain in a Kenosha backyard,” “Burlington addition foundation,” “Milwaukee downspout tie-in”—and we’ll steer you to the right size mini excavator.

FAQs – 2017 John Deere 17G Mini Excavator Rental

Q: How deep can the John Deere 17G dig?

A: The 17G has a maximum digging depth of 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in), which is plenty for many utility, drainage, and small footing jobs in residential and light commercial settings.

Q: Will the 17G fit through my gate or into a tight side yard?

A: The 17G is about 980 mm (3 ft 3 in) wide, and uses a variable-width undercarriage designed for tight spaces. Measure the narrowest point of your access path; if it’s at least that wide, there’s a good chance the 17G will fit.

Q: Is the 17G powerful enough for real work or just small DIY projects?

A: With 14.5 hp, roughly 3,790 lb operating weight, and strong bucket/arm forces, the 17G is built for professional contractors as well as serious DIYers. It’s often chosen because it fits where larger machines can’t—not because it’s “light duty.”

Q: What kind of attachments can I run on the 17G?

A: CIS can match the 17G with appropriate buckets and thumbs (where available) depending on your job. Let us know trench width, depth, and what you’re handling (spoils, rock, brush, etc.) and we’ll recommend a setup.

Q: How far ahead should I book the 2017 17G?

A: For busy months (spring through fall), many renters book 1–2 weeks in advance—especially for full weeks or month-long rentals. Last-minute rentals are sometimes possible, but calling early gives you the best shot at locking in the 17G for your exact dates.