French quarry operator Carrières GW, a part of Groupe Marc, is employing a Hitachi ZX470LCH-5 excavator at its 16.7 hectare site near St Malo in Brittany, northern France.
The large Zaxis-5 is helping the company to extract cornéenne, a metamorphic rock used in the production of concrete, and has so far “lived up to its reputation for a high-level of performance.” The ZX470LCH-5 is used to load materials onto the primary and secondary crushers on site before they are transported to a treatment area and the tertiary crusher.
Aggregates produced at the quarry (sand, notably sizes 4-6mm, 6-10mm, 10-14mm and 14-20mm) can be sold washed or unwashed, with the washed sand produced meeting the demands of concrete plants. Equipped with a 2.8m³ bucket, the
“Our relationship with Cobemat is based on professionalism and trustworthiness,” says Michel Krembser, quarry manager, who has worked with Groupe Marc since 1980.
Throughout his career, Krembser says he has had a positive experience working with Hitachi equipment. “Hitachi machines have a reputation for reliability. The ZX470LCH-5 is highly productive and it supports us in the challenge of meeting our daily targets.”
According to Krembser, production is the greatest challenge facing the team on site, but the company’s investment in the ZX470LCH-5 is helping to meet demand.
“This machine is excellent for excavating materials in the quarry,” says operator Lionel Deline, who has 16 years of experience operating a variety of equipment, including other excavators and wheeled loaders. “The breakout force is incredibly strong, it’s reliable and works fast: the loading time is excellent. Also, the cab is very comfortable and the controls are well within reach,” he says of the company’s latest Hitachi model. Emmanuel Rabiller, who is responsible for equipment, explains his reason for choosing Hitachi.
“We did test other equipment, but Hitachi products offer an excellent price/quality ratio and represent a good return on investment. In addition, Cobemat’s reputation for first-rate after-sales services was an important factor in the purchase.”
