Hyundai helping Italian earthquake relief effort

Company sends wheel loader and crawler excavator to support rebuilding work in affected areas

HYUNDAI Heavy Industries – in collaboration with Italian dealers Hitex – have supplied two machines to help with the clearing and reconstruction in the areas affected by last year’s earthquake in central Italy. 

The South Korean equipment manufacturer took the decision to offer assistance with the clean-up and reconstruction of the affected areas by providing an R60CR-9A excavator and HL757-9A wheel loader for four months at no cost. 

The machines were delivered to the fire brigade of Cittareale (Rieti), a city renowned for its wealth of historic buildings which were almost completely destroyed or seriously damaged by the earthquake. The Hyundai equipment has made a worthy contribution to the rebuilding operation at the town, which has medieval origins dating back to 1261 AD.

‘Hyundai and Hitex are honoured to be able to contribute to the clean-up and reconstruction of this Italian city by providing two machines,’ said Alain Worp, managing director of Hyundai Heavy Industries. ‘The earthquake has devastated a community, but we are proud to have been able to help in a small way and watch with great admiration as these people rebuild their lives and homes.’

The HL757-9A wheel loader is one of six models in the Hyundai's -9 series of machines with operating weights between 9 and 33.5 tonnes and bucket capacities from 1.8 to 6 cubic metres.  

The loading shovel is designed to allow the operator to adjust the engine power and the timing of the automatic transmission and clutch disengagement based on the application and preference.

The engine benefits from three power modes – power (heavy work), standard (general work) and economy (light work). The gearbox also benefits from four modes and its fully automatic transmission is equipped with self diagnosis and low-temperature protection, which is particularly important for the machine working in areas such as Cittareale where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing.  

The Hyundai R60CR-9A excavator has been designed to help maximize profitability by improving fuel economy and delivering advanced maintenance functions and highly resistant components. The machine offers maximum precision and operator-friendly handling and maneuverability.

Powered by a fuel-efficient Yanmar 4TNV98 engine, the machine is electronically controlled for optimum fuel-to-air ratio and clean, efficient combustion and provides low noise, anti-restart features. 

The advanced hydraulic system includes: an arm flow summation system; a boom holding system; and a swing parking brake for smooth and fine control. Other key features include a hydraulic damper in the travel pedal and a hydraulically lubricated swing reducer with a leak-free grease chamber. A shift function of the main arm is designed to increase efficiency in residential and urban areas, while a tail swing radius allows the operator to work within narrow spaces.