Hitachi ZX300LCN-6 takes SIRO to new heights

Recycling company Leal & Soares SA, the owner of the SIRO brand, has introduced a new Hitachi medium excavator to its unique production process. The ZX300LCN-6 is used to move 100,000m³ of compost material per week at its 12-hectare site in Mira, west Portugal.

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SIRO (Sistemas Integrados de Reciclagem Orgânica – Integrated Systems for Organic Recycling) develops the compost from forest residue – mainly from pine bark – to be used in organic substrate and compost production. Its broad range of products includes substrates and fertilisers, as well as decorative pine bark and ornamental stones for reservoirs and lakes. With an additional production facility in Spain, SIRO is one of the main pine bark exporters in Europe.

The Zaxis-6 excavator was delivered in April 2016 by Portuguese dealer Moviter with a larger than standard 3m³ bucket. This is due to the light density of the materials, which are stacked in numerous piles around the yard. SIRO’s first new Hitachi machine is an extension to the fleet as the maintenance of the piles was previously carried out by one of its wheel loaders.

“We considered other brands, but after testing the Hitachi for a week, we were convinced that this was the best machine,” explains SIRO Director/Chairman Carlos Soares. “We have also had a positive experience with a used Hitachi excavator, which has given us many years of reliable service.

“We selected the ZX300LCN-6, as we felt that the volume of work was suitable for this size of machine. After using a wheel loader for the same job, this was a natural and important step for us to take.

“The most important criterion was the capacity and the new machine will be more productive and fuel efficient. We are happy with our investment – it is doing exactly what it is supposed to and helping us to meet our objectives.”

Operator Vitor Santos says it is a very comfortable machine and easy to operate. “We can go higher up the pile with the excavator than we did with the wheel loader, as it is stable and therefore feels safe,” he explains. “I now spend more time on top of the piles than anywhere else and this enables me to move larger volumes from one side to the other.

“We needed a machine that was fast, precise and offered excellent visibility for this job. It has already satisfied all of these requirements and without doubt the high swing speed is its most impressive feature.”