Japanese favourite is simply reliable

by Nick Drew | Tue 18 Oct 2016

Japanese favourite is simply reliable

Taking another look back at one of my old articles from Earthmovers Magazine, featuring different photos, with this feature on Hanix and their H55DR model first published in 2014.

Hanix mini excavators have always had a good following in the UK over the years, stemming right back to the days when they were sold as Nissan. But the firms history can be traced back much further, with the formation of the Handozer Industry Co Ltd in 1963. Fast forward to the 1980’s and the company launched a range of mini excavators bearing the name Minex, these machines were later sold as Nissan, before eventually being branded as Hanix, by the parent company Nagano based NKK. These little machines have always proven to be reliable, simple to use and run, and very economical too. It’s probably fair to say that they are not the most exciting machines on the market, in terms of high tech gadgets, but they are a great all round machine, that although on first glance appear a bit boring, simply do what it says on the tin. In recent years, Hanix had all but disappeared in the UK due in part to the global financial problems, but with new backers on board, the company is back in action again, Michiro Ito, Managing Director of Hanix Europe, explained what has been going on, “Our parent company NKK underwent the Civil Rehabilitation process in May 2011, (a form of administration in Japan) and later that year the company was acquired by Beijing Jingcheng Group in China. Since we secured support from the new sponsor, Hanix has been undertaking a drastic restructuring of its operation, which has included relocation of the headquarters from Manchester to a more conveniently located site in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.” 001

Mr Ito continued, “Our focus is always on customers. We are aiming to implement a comprehensive and efficient service structure at Hanix, and now with an experienced workforce at hand, I believe we can achieve this aim”. The company now have plans to develop new products that will augment its existing D Series models. In the second half of this year we can expect to see the launch of a brand new H80D, eight tonne class machine, which is already being put through field trials in its prototype version in Japan. 1368188959_hanix80d-lr

As I was recently working on a site in Long Crendon, Aylesbury, not too far from Hanix Europe’s brand new facility in High Wycombe, I was invited to have a machine in on demonstration thanks to Paul Clarke, who is the new Sales Manager for the UK. I was working for MJ Smith, who was sub-contracting to Natural Wastewater Solutions (NWS) on a 1560m²reed bed refurbishment project in a sewerage treatment works. It was decided we could make good use of a Hanix H55DR 5.5 tonne mini excavator to work around the top edges of the reed beds, especially to the rear where access would have been difficult for the Caterpillar 316E I was operating at the time.

Having owned a Hanix H26B model, which had served me well in the the past, I knew what to expect from these latest machines. nde-hanix-h26b-01

The cab layout is basic but practical, this model did not have any air conditioning fitted, and no radio was visible, but these items can be fitted as an optional extra as required. One of the nice simple features in this machine is the use of a traditional hand throttle, which can sometimes be a blessing compared to the ECU engine management systems that are mainly in favour at the moment, which are fine until they start to go wrong. The hand throttle is a lot easier to repair if needed, so a welcome addition especially on self-drive hire fleets for example. Although fitted with a manual hand throttle, the machine is fitted with an auto engine idling system, which returns the engine to idle speed after a short period of in-activity; this is activated by a switch on the right hand side console. 003

Also included in the bank of switches are the wiper/washer switch, 3 speed fan controller, heat or cold air switch, and working light switch. Further to the operators right, is the dozer blade control, which features a built in switch to select the appropriate travel speed, a common feature on mini diggers these days and very useful when needing to go down a gear when performing dozing duties. 004

The seat is a PVC affair as one might find on a canopy model, I personally would prefer a cloth one in a cabbed machine, but having said that, it had a good range of adjustment on it and I had no problem with getting comfortable in the zero tail swing machine. However, as is often the case with such machines, some larger operators might struggle to feel comfortable and there is no space in the back for the operator’s lunch bag and other personal effects. The joysticks have a nice feel to them, and in operation you get that quality feel and response that we have become accustomed too from Japanese kit over the years. The left hand joystick also features two buttons to control the off-set boom function. Having the off-set function on the joystick means a clutter free floor which is always welcome in any cab. There are two foot rests and foot pedals on the levers which are of a decent size for a mini excavator. 013

The machine cab heater is nice and powerful, something that was much needed on the day of my trial drive, as it was freezing cold. I must say as an operator I can live without a radio, but a good heater ranks very high on my priority list. When you are just sitting in a machine, it can get very cold as you are not able to move about to keep warm, but I had no worries on that front with this machine, with the choice of 3 fan speed settings and a varied deployment of air vents I was kept very toasty throughout the day. The only piece of electronic wizardry in the cab is a small display cluster to the front right of the operator’s seat, which shows the current fuel level, and water temperature permanently and a row of warning lights that would light up if any other problems occur, also included in this display is the machine hours. 002

This machine, like all the DR models in the range, is a true zero tail swing excavator, and at one point I was having to work right up close to a wire fence, so it was nice to have the confidence to do so safe in the knowledge that I knew it would not come into contact with it. Even with the operators door open it’s virtually impossible to damage it as it sits back in a recess for protection when open. 005

Access to the main components is once again very good with large opening bonnets giving the operator a good view for his day to day checks. In addition, the rear counterweight can be removed for ease of service if required. The main hydraulic tank and control valve block is located on the right hand side enabling easy access for repairs and adjustments also stored under this canopy is the battery, water wash bottle and grease gun holder. 010

The engine in the HD55DR is the popular Kubota V2403M-DI, with a power rating of 19kw (27hp). All Hanix machines feature well proven Japanese components including, hydraulic pumps from Nachi and Kawasaki, hydraulic motors from Daikin, Kawasaki, Nabtesco, and Nachi, with additional hydraulic components being supplied by Rexroth. In addition to those items many components are manufactured in house in Japan, including swivel joints and track rollers. 008

I put the machine to work levelling of some rather wet and smelly material that I had scraped off the top of the redundant reed bed with the Cat 316E. This was challenging material which seems to be par for the course on this kind of work. It was extremely sticky and impregnated with old reeds which made levelling interesting to say the least. The little machine coped very well with it though, and the smoothness of the hydraulics was impressive, in fact very similar in feel to a well-known Japanese red and grey product. Visibility to all sides is excellent, and the fitment of a large sliding window to the front right of the machine is a welcome addition both in terms of ventilation and improved visibility, this could be further improved by making the rear portion adjustable too in the future.

One thing I would like to see is a small change in geometry of either the dipper being longer or extend the blade forward a bit to enable the “dust pan and brush” scenario, at the moment with the off-set in its central position you cannot bring the bucket right in home to the blade, which is often essential when cleaning up stone, or tarmac on had surfaces, and as we all know too well not many like using a shovel to clean up these days.

All in all I thought this was a great little no thrills digger ,which ticks all the boxes for customers who want a solid reliable piece of kit, which I suspect would have an extremely reasonable price tag on it.

During a discussion on our Digger Man Blog Facebook page a number of Hanix users and former users had nothing but praise for the Japanese machines. Eamonn Savage from Northern Ireland used to run 3 Hanix machines and described them as “A great all round tool”. Liam Kavanagh said, “We have had a Hanix H15B model for over 5 years now, it’s been incredibly reliable and it’s still going strong”. And contractor Niall Brannigan told us he has owned two H36A series models, one of which he is still running today with the second one recently sold with over 9000 hours on the meter. Evidence if it was needed of the machines reliability and longevity out there in the workplace. In all fairness, not much has changed in the world of Hanix since this article was first written, we are still waiting for the new 8 tonner to appear while most other machines in the range remain the same, it will be interesting to see what 2017 holds in store for this Japanese brand.

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