The ZX210X-6 ICT and new demonstration area unveiling took place at the construction and quarrying equipment manufacturing giant’s press and European dealers day event titled ‘Tomorrow’s Job Site’.
The first Hitachi ICT hydraulic excavator with machine control in Europe, the ZX210X-6 ICT is being tipped by HCME to have a huge impact on construction and civil engineering projects – increasing efficiency by an estimated 30-50%, while also enhancing safety and making life easier for operators.
Incorporating the latest technological advancements from Hitachi Construction Machinery, the ZX210X-6 excavator is said to be one of the most precise models on the market. The semi-automatic operation of the front of the machine ensures consistently high levels of accuracy. As a result, the amount of repetitive work on site is decreased and less time is needed to complete construction projects – leading to reduced running costs and fewer emissions.
The ZX210X-6’s highly accurate performance also contributes to enhanced safety on the job site. Designed for easy operation with user-friendly features, it supports the skills of operators.
The new enlarged demonstration area at the front of HCME’s Amsterdam HQ has been created to enhance the experience of visiting customers. From the comfort of their seat in the auditorium, press and European dealers day visitors were able to hear the operator in the cab during product demonstrations and see exactly what they are doing, thanks to the installation of a new microphone and camera system.
Frank van Neste, demonstrator for the Product Management and Engineering department at HCME, said: “Previously, I could only give explanations from the cab to one or two people, but now I can share it with 90 people in the auditorium.”
Frank led the redesign project, with support from HCME general manager Product Management and Engineering Burkhard Janssen and product manager Wilbert Blom. Work on the new area took six months to prepare and was completed within six weeks. “The original demo area was built in 2002 and it was only possible to show four or five machines,” said Frank.
“We wanted to make it more attractive to visitors, and to update it with new technology, so it would be ready for the launch of the ZX210X-6 ICT hydraulic excavator with machine control, and to better demonstrate Hitachi’s ICT construction solutions.”
The demonstration area has been extended by ten metres either side to give an additional 1,500m² of space. A two-metre high embankment that previously surrounded the area has been removed, and a one-metre high mound has been built around the new perimeter, making it easier for visitors to see the machines from the surrounding pathway.
Within the area, there are more small hills on which to park machines, and this gives product demonstrators greater flexibility. The surrounding lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and a new drainage system has been installed to ensure the ground remains in optimum condition for machine demonstrations.
