47
january-february 2014
international
construction
COMPACT EQUIPMENT
Exhaust emission impetus
Utilities workhorse
Hitachi mini proves its versatility in Italy
I
talian contractor Benedetti, Torricelli, Fuccelli (BTF) is using a new Hitachi ZX55U-5
5.5 tonne mini excavator for utilities work on the redevelopment of Monteluce hospital
in Perugia.
The former hospital occupies an area of 75,000m², which is situated close to the
historic city centre. While some of the existing buildings are being preserved and restored,
the remainder of the estate is being demolished to make way for a new 65,000m²
development, which is due for completion next year.
The
€
70 million (US$ 95 million) scheme includes a range of residential and student
properties, commercial and office buildings, and health, social and other services. The
refurbishment work will also see the introduction of an array of new public spaces,
including gardens, squares, and pedestrian
and parking areas.
BTF won the contract from BNP Paribas
Real Estate for the installation of the gas,
electricity and water services.
“The new Hitachi excavator offers us
a high level of versatility thanks to its
excellent hydraulic system,” said one of
BTF’s three owners, Miguel Torricelli. “It
is a very good machine for operating the
breaker efficiently and it digs trenches and
loads trucks well with the standard bucket.
We have also found it to be precise, reliable
and the ECO mode significantly reduces fuel
consumption.”
Operator Riccardo Giglietti has also been
impressed with the ZX55U-5. “The cab is
excellent and very comfortable – I have
ample leg room, which is impressive for a
machine of this size. It’s a typical Hitachi
excavator, so it has a number of high-tech
features and is reliable of course. I really
like the air conditioning and enjoy working
with such a fast and accurate machine,”
he said.
the machine from operating until the operator is seated with the
restraint bar down.
Similar machines are also available from Gehl’s sister brand,
Mustang, designated the 1750 NXT2 and 2100RT NXT2.
Compact excavators
JCB has added three new excavators to its compact equipment
range, all in the 1.5 to 2.0 tonne class. It said the 8014, 8016 and
8020 CTS were modelled after its 8018 CTS, with features such
as increased productivity and lift capacity, a revised dozer design
and improved hydraulic controllability. They also feature a tilting
cab to make servicing easier and a solid cast counterweight to help
protect key components.
The 8014 CTS weighs in at 1.63 tonnes, the 8016 CTS at
1.66 tonnes and the 8020 at 2.07 tonnes, fitting in around the
previously launched 1.82 tonne 8018 CTS.
Maximum digging depth has been increased on all three
models, by 11% on the 8014 and 8016, and by +3% on the 8020
CTS. JCB also highlighted a new hydraulic valve block, which
has increased load holding capacity by +52% as well as the lifting
performance over the front of the dozer blade.
JCB’s range also includes 17 skid steer and compact tracked
loaders which it also supplies to Volvo Construction Equipment
for sale under the Swedish company’s brand. The company’s
compact wheeled loader range meanwhile
comprises five models from 1.9 to 6.0
tonnes operating weight, with engine
powers ranging from 27 kW to 56 kW.
Hanix, which is a brand owned by
Japanese manufacturer NKK and its
parent, China’s Beijing Jingcheng is one
of several players offering micro excavators
(less than 1 tonne operating weight). Its
latest machines include the H09D micro
and the H17D mini, both of which are
designed for space-restricted urban sites,
and which are targeted towards the rental
industry.
Body panels are all steel construction to
withstand everyday site knocks, and the
boom cylinder is located above the boom
to protect it against accidental damage
when digging.
Hydraulically expanding tracks provide
stability for digging operations, as well as
improving balance when traversing, and
easy ‘pin-on’ dozer blade extensions match
the increased track width. Both models
feature pilot controlled hydraulics and
are equipped with extra hydraulic lines as
standard.
Wacker Neuson’s EZ17 is a zero
tailswing mini excavator in the 1 to 2
tonne class. It features a powerful diesel
engine that runs at low speeds to reduce
noise and fuel consumption, while load-
sensing hydraulics help controllability and
operator comfort.
The canopy can be removed quickly should the machine have
to access spaces with low headroom, and getting to major service
points is also a quick process.
One of Kobelco’s newest models, which will be on show at
March’s ConExpo exhibition, is the 5 tonne SK55SRX short
radius excavator.
The machine comes with a dozer blade as standard and a new
blade shape is said to boost speed and efficiency by forming
JCB has added three new mini
excavators to its range in the 1.5 to 2.0
tonne weight classes, to join the 8018
CTS that was launched last year.
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