Reliability is key for Alma Verk’s compact machinery

An Icelandic contractor has taken delivery of two compact machines from the Hitachi construction machinery range to work on its expanding portfolio of utility projects. The ZX55U-5 mini excavator and ZW75-6 wheel loader were delivered in May 2016 by Icelandic dealer Vélafl to Alma Verk, which specialises in fibre-optic cable, high- and low-voltage electricity, water works and small road construction projects.

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They have since been dispatched to a number of sites in Reykjavík, including a contract awarded by the city’s power company to replace insulated water pipes over a stretch of 600m. This involves the excavation of a trench to expose the old water pipes and insulation on the adjacent streets of Vikurbakku and Núpabakki.

Any rock is broken up and the existing underground concrete wall (that was used to house the old pipes) is demolished with a breaker attachment on the ZX55U-5 mini excavator. After the pipes have been lifted out and loaded on to a truck, the bottom of the new-look trench is levelled.

The base layer consists of 15cm of sand, which not only allows for drainage, but also the easy maintenance of the new pipes. The cold water pipes are laid at a minimum depth of 150cm below ground level – to keep the water from freezing in sub-zero temperatures – and two hot water pipes are laid in parallel at a depth of 120cm.

All of the pipes are covered in a further 15cm of sand and then the trench is backfilled with soil by the ZW75-6 compact wheel loader. The larger 350mm incoming pipe allows for the flow of water from a nearby power plant¹ at a temperature of 70°C. The 300mm outgoing pipe’s water runs through at 25°C on its way to be recycled for other uses, such as heating footpaths and drives.

The name of the Hafnarfjordur-based firm is derived from the first two letters of the owners’ names, Alfred Gunnarsson Baarregaard and Magnus Valthorsson. “The decision to buy the compact equipment stems from the good feedback that we have had from other contractors with Hitachi construction machinery,” says Alfred.

“The number one priority for us is that the machines are extremely reliable and only need minimal routine maintenance. The ZX55U-5 is smooth and fast to operate, as well as offering more than enough power and all-round visibility. The wheel loader is also well suited to this environment. It is easy to operate, powerful and responds well during loading, unloading, and load-and-carry operations.”