Durability is key for Icelandic contractor’s Hitachi ZX250LC-6

BB og Synir has purchased a Hitachi ZX250LC-6 medium excavator to work on road construction and housebuilding projects in Snæfellsnes, Iceland. The delivery of the island’s first Zaxis-6 excavator in July 2016 by the local dealer, Vélafl, was perfectly timed for the contractor’s busy summer period (the construction industry in the country grinds to a halt in harsh winter conditions).

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The Stykkishólmur-based company was founded by twins Hafthór and Sævar Benediktsson in December 1998. They bought their first Hitachi Zaxis machine, a ZX250LC-3, in 2007. After nine years of reliable service with this machine, they invested in the new -6 equivalent. The latest model has been fitted with a tilt rotator, additional lights and a central greasing system, all of which are common accessories requested by Icelandic contractors.

These features further enhance the machine’s versatility for a wide range of tasks, from loading materials on to the trucks at BB og Synir’s lava rock quarry, to digging out foundations for new houses. One of its first jobs was to widen and raise a small road – that leads to a fish-drying processing plant – before building up the verge with soil to prepare it for asphalt.

“We decided to buy a Hitachi, because we were really happy with the service from Vélafl,” says Sævar. “I also like the size of the machine for our typical projects and we had an excellent track record with the Zaxis-3 model – it was even suitable for drainage work on soft ground.”

Despite a gap of two generations of Zaxis medium excavators – only the Zaxis-5 range had been introduced between the former -3 and current -6 models – Sævar is able to assess the development of one of the most popular Hitachi machines in Europe.

“My first impression is that the ZX250LC-6 is quieter and smoother to operate than our previous model,” he explains. “On its first earthmoving and loading job, it was so quiet, I had to check to make sure it was running at full rpm! It feels like it has been completely redesigned. The control panel is well laid out and the machine is suited to precise jobs such as this.”

In addition, he believes that it compares favourably to the competition: “The most important aspect of this machine is that it is the strongest and most durable for our tough working conditions. The auto-shutdown feature is also useful when the same operator is working in the quarry, and climbing in and out of the cab to drive one of the trucks as well.”

Perhaps unusually for a machine of this size, Sævar and his twin brother have to think like both owners and operators of the ZX250LC-6. “From a business outlook, the fuel consumption is excellent – we now have to fill up every third day, rather than every other day,” he adds. “And from an operator’s perspective, there is now easier access for checking the lubricant and water levels as part of our routine maintenance procedures.”