All singing, all dancing Hitachi

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Digging deep into construction machinery news

Wed 18 Apr 2018

All singing, all dancing Hitachi

Its been well over a year now since Basingstoke based Andy Philps, who trades as Andy Philps Plant Hire, upgraded from a 24 tonne Volvo to a 30 tonne class Hitachi. But this is not just any Hitachi, it’s a very special bit of kit by UK standards. For starters it was specified with a TAB (Triple Articulated Boom) configuration, very popular in Central Europe, but rare to see in the UK on this size machine.

Andy is also a long term Engcon user and has run a tiltrotator for many years, unlike some, he tends not to shout about it and has quietly been going about his business letting the machine attachment and his skills do the talking, ensuring that he is always in demand on sites across Hampshire week in, week out.

The machine in question is Hitachi’s latest Dash-6 variant of its ZX300LC which is powered by a Stage V emissions compliant Isuzu 6-cylinder engine which produces a power output rating of 197kw @1900rpm.

The machine was fitted with Engcon’s EC30 tiltrotator with a top hitch and EC-Oil for quick changing of hydraulic attachments, the unit was supplied by Exac-One and fitted by leading specialist installer JCC Engcon. However, since my site visit Andy has upgraded to the latest EC233 second generation tiltrotator, creating what can only be described as a totally stunning set up! Like most "tilty" converts these days, Andy also runs an extensive arsenal of attachments including plate compactor and grading beam to name a couple.

Over the years Andy has gained an enviable reputation for providing precision work in technically challenging applications. Talking about his machine and the tiltrotator Andy said, "With the tiltrotator, the machine can demonstrate a high degree of flexibility and the reach means I can get into areas without having to continually move the machine about, in addition this machines two piece boom opens up a whole new world in terms of reach and the ability to change the geometry of the machine to suit the task in hand, its just proving to be an incredible set up”.

I have to agree and from what I saw on the day of my site visit this is one top class machine and operator in perfect harmony.

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Digging deep into construction machinery news

All singing, all dancing Hitachi

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