New Hitachi Zaxis excavator scales new heights
First ZX470LCH-5 demolition excavator in Europe makes working debut at new German residential development
THE first Hitachi -5 demolition excavator in Europe has been working on its debut assignment in Munich, Germany. Local contractors B Trinkl acquired the new ZX470LCH-5 excavator for the demolition of a former residential building in Lerchenfeldstrasse, close to the southeast entrance of the English Garden, which will make way for a new housing development.
The strength of the local economy and low interest rates mean that there is currently a huge demand for residential developments in Munich, such as this seven-floor block of 23 apartments.
However, the property boom is somewhat constrained by a lack of space in the city, which is good news for local demolition companies. Developers are now turning their attention to buildings that were constructed following the destruction of the Second World War and which do not comply with the latest building regulations or the modern trends for sustainability and energy conservation.
The Park Avenue project presented B Trinkl with a number of challenges. For example, there was only a single wall between the part that had to be demolished and the one to be left standing. This was solved – in conjunction with a structural engineer – by fixing anchor plates to the retained wall. The relatively small site was also close to a school, which meant the foundations were removed during the holidays due to noise restrictions.
B Trinkl decided to purchase a special Hitachi demolition machine from Kiesel,
the Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) dealer in Germany.
‘The Hitachi is one of five high-reach machines at our disposal,’ said Florian Trinkl.
‘The key criteria for this purchase decision were simplicity of design, operator comfort and suitability for our projects. Hitachi offered the best overall package and was one of the few manufacturers that offered a high-reach Stage IIIB-compliant excavator.
‘Due to the stringent requirements of working in urban environments, we needed a machine that adhered to these requirements. And we have had a positive experience with the ZX470LCH-5’s first project, especially with regard to the return on fuel economy.’
André Niejaki, who has 20 years’ experience in the demolition industry, was designated as the operator of the new Hitachi high-reach model.
‘My first reaction when I saw the ZX470LCH-5 was just how beautiful it was and I’m still smiling,’ he enthused. ‘It is wonderful, the best machine ever and a joy to operate. It is incredibly well balanced and stable, especially when reaching up high. I have also been impressed with its precision – it works like a dream.
The excavator is a well-rounded machine featuring excellent control, handling and responsiveness. There has been much thought put into the design, even down to the detail of how the cab is protected and the location of the radio controls. It is the only excavator I have operated in which the visibility has been perfect and I consider this to be a very important factor.’
