New Hitachi digs deep in Paris

A Hitachi excavator has enabled the creation of a subterranean six-floor car park in the centre of Paris. The ZX225USRLC-3 was used to dig deep below ground and remove 65,000m³ of earth before construction of the facility could begin. For Saperfe Travaux Publics, a sub-contractor working on the project, the Hitachi machine was the only specialist equipment required.

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The clamshell telescopic arm of the ZX225USRLC-3 can reach depths of up to 25 metres. At the site, the small footprint achieved with the zero-tail swing maximised productivity as it enabled trucks to stop directly adjacent to the excavator for immediate loading. As a result, the Hitachi excavator loaded each of the 13 trucks productively.

According to operator Marco Ferreira, the ZX225USRLC-3 was ideal for digging deep below ground and beyond the range of conventional excavators: "The extension/retraction device in the arm moves quickly to enable a smooth telescopic movement. The sliding cab and extended window make it comfortable to operate. Like all other Zaxis excavators, it's easy to use."

The ZX225USRLC-3 also coped well with the earth's high-water content which presented the toughest challenge. As the ground was so soft, a network of pipes was used to hold the car park's underground structure in place. The excavator had to work in and around these pipes - a delicate task. Site Manager Laurent Petain explains: "The excavator worked in 5.5m deep sections at a time and had to be extremely precise."

Supplied by official French Hitachi dealer Payen, the ZX225USRLC-3 is the third Hitachi addition to the Saperfe fleet. The company also has a ZX210W-3 wheeled excavator and a ZX25 mini excavator, both delivered in 2009.

Company owner Jean-Claude Sarrouy explained why he chose Hitachi excavators: "My decision is based 50 per cent on the reliability of the machine itself and 50 per cent on after-sales service. If ever there is a problem, we know that we can call Payen and they will solve it."

To view a video of this jobsite:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HitachiConstruction#p/u/2/_0c_St56-bA