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Develon DX140RDM-7 demolition excavator takes down historic tuff building

Working in the heart of an urban area, surrounded by occupied buildings, and safely and precisely demolishing a structure approximately 15 m high, built in a material called tuff and dating back to the 19th century: this was the complex challenge faced by Ecorif Srl, a company based in Campania in Italy that specializes in demolition work. For the project in the heart of the city of Caserta, just a few steps from the Royal Palace, the company relied on a Develon DX140RDM-7 demolition excavator, supplied by Edilnoleggi, Develon importer and distributor for Campania.

The project involved the challenging demolition of an old building to make way for a new residential complex comprising 24 housing units. The job was particularly demanding not only because of the size and characteristics of the building, but above all because of the surrounding environment: a densely built-up urban area, with neighbouring homes and extremely limited room for manoeuvre.

The choice of the Develon DX140RDM-7 followed discussions between Ecorif and Edilnoleggi. Drawing on its experience in the sector and its understanding of the requirements of demolition companies operating throughout Campania, Edilnoleggi identified the DX140RDM-7 as a particularly suitable solution for the site conditions. Compact dimensions, ease of transport, the ability to operate in confined spaces, stability and high performance are all essential requirements for tackling a project of this kind.

A compact machine for working where space is limited

Ecorif has been operating mainly in Campania since 2013 and currently employs around ten people. The company has previously operated a DX340 Demolition excavator from the Develon range, equipped with a 20-metre boom. When the need arose for a more compact machine capable of working on urban sites and in locations that are more difficult to access, Ecorif chose the DX140RDM-7 demolition excavator, giving the machine the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities in real-world conditions at the Caserta site.

To reach the work area in the city centre, the DX140RDM-7 was equipped with steel tracks fitted with heavy-duty rubber road liners. This configuration allowed the machine to travel over asphalt without damaging the road surface. Once on site, the machine was able to take advantage of its compact dimensions to access particularly confined areas. The variable-width undercarriage also made it possible to combine easy access and transport with the stability required during demolition operations. The undercarriage can be retracted to just 2.5 m, allowing the machine to be transported in an especially compact configuration, and then hydraulically extended to 3.7 m to increase stability on site.

Demolishing tuff requires precision and control

The nature of the building presented an additional challenge. The structure was made predominantly of tuff, a material widely used in historic Campanian construction, but one characterized by a relatively fragile structure and cohesion that can vary considerably.

When working just a few metres from other buildings, the task is not simply a matter of bringing a structure down, but of demolishing it in a controlled manner, working in stages and addressing different sections of the structure without compromising the surrounding buildings.

In this environment, the DX140RDM-7 worked with a demolition grapple, allowing the operator to tackle the tuff structures with an extremely high degree of precision. The excavator's precise movements and stability enabled the operator to maintain constant control, even during the most demanding stages of the demolition.

Same performance as a machine in a higher class

One of the aspects that impressed Ecorif most was the DX140RDM-7's ability to combine compact dimensions with high performance.

The specific working range of the demolition boom enables the monolithic version of the DX140RDM-7 to handle demolition attachments weighing up to 1450 kg at the boom tip, while reaching a maximum working height of 16 m.

At the Caserta site, this combination of reach, lifting force and stability enabled the machine to work directly on the building structure, delivering precision and control even during high-level demolition operations.

The machine's demolition-specific configuration is further enhanced by a cab that tilts by up to 30°, providing excellent visibility during work at height; Level 2 FOGS protection; dedicated auxiliary lines for different attachments and a stability warning system with hydraulic lockout, enabling safe and controlled operation even during the most demanding phases of the job.

The result was a demolition process completed in just over a month, despite the challenges posed by the building's location, the surrounding homes and the building's particular construction characteristics.

“We are extremely satisfied with our new purchase,” comments Nicola Autieri, Managing Director of Ecorif. “The DX140RDM-7 has all the advantages of a compact machine, but its performance is comparable to that of an excavator weighing more than 30 tonne. It is manoeuvrable, precise, comfortable and perfectly stable, providing excellent productivity and low fuel consumption. Another key advantage for us is that the machine remains within transport dimensions, thanks to its variable-width undercarriage, making it extremely easy to transport. The excavator comes off the truck trailer and is immediately ready to work! We are so satisfied with our Develon machines that we are already planning to purchase a DX530DM for our largest demolition projects. This will allow Develon to cover all our requirements.”

From demolition to recovery: turning waste material into a resource

Ecorif's work did not end with the demolition of the building. The project is part of a broader process that also includes the transport and recovery of demolition materials.

The material generated during the Caserta project was transported to the inert-material crushing plant operated by DIAF Srl, managed by Antonio Autieri, Nicola Autieri's brother. Here, through processing, the material recovered from the demolition was transformed into aggregate suitable for use in the construction sector, rather than simply being sent for disposal.

The Caserta project therefore provides a tangible example of the integration between demolition and material recovery, in which the demolition of the building represents only the first stage of a broader process.

Edilnoleggi, a Develon partner for Campania

The purchase of the Develon DX140RDM-7 is the result of a long-standing relationship of trust between the Autieri brothers and Edilnoleggi. Antonio Autieri had already had the opportunity to get to know the company when purchasing the DX340 excavator, a transaction handled by Giulio Venturini, Edilnoleggi's Sales Director. That first experience developed into a strong professional partnership based on mutual trust and respect.

When the time came to renew the machine and take another step forward in its operations, Antonio once again turned to Edilnoleggi. The opportunity to reconnect with Giulio Venturini and meet Pasquale Menichini, Managing Director of Edilnoleggi, Giuseppe Giffrida, Sales Director, as well as the company's technical staff and workshop team, further reinforced his decision, confirming the partner's expertise, professionalism and reliability.

Develon's exclusive importer and distributor for Campania since 2022, Edilnoleggi supports companies throughout the region in selecting the machines best suited to their specific operational requirements.

With decades of experience in the industry, the company operates across the provinces of Naples, Salerno, Caserta, Benevento and Avellino, offering a fleet of more than 750 machines, around 60 employees, including specialized technicians and administrative staff, eight mobile workshops and an approximately 20,000 m² operating facilities.

This approach makes Edilnoleggi not simply a machine supplier, but a genuine partner for its customers, capable of supporting them throughout the entire equipment lifecycle while ensuring operational continuity and qualified technical assistance. In addition to sales throughout Campania, Edilnoleggi also operates in the rental sector, serving private companies, public authorities and leading Italian organizations.

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