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Develon DX17Z-7 mini excavator is a hit on Genoa Waterfront

Liguria is a region of Italy characterized by mountainous and hilly terrain, with many difficult to reach áreas and historic urban locations with narrow roads and limited space. Consequently, there is a need for both compact and heavy machinery to ensure work on construction sites is both efficient and safe.

Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, has a long history of excellence in the heavy-duty sector. In recent years, the company has expanded its range to include compact equipment. This has allowed Develon to offer complete solutions that meet a wide range of operational needs, ensuring customers find the right machinery for each specific application.

A good exmple of this versatility is the Genoa shipyard, an integral part of Renzo Piano's Waterfront project. In this context, the company E.S.O. Strade is involved in the excavation of the foundations on various sites. Alongside the use of Develon heavy machinery, the use of a new Develon DX17Z-7 zero tail swing mini excavator has proven to be fundamental, demonstrating exceptional operational effectiveness, contributing significantly to the precision and speed of the work, as well as adaptability to the different needs and spaces of the construction site.

Founded in 1986, the construction company E.S.O. Strade di Genova carries out contract work in both the public and private sectors, operating at a regional and extra-regional level. Founded by brothers, Sergio and Franco Orefici, the company specializes in road construction and maintenance, urban planning, excavation, leveling and ground preparation for construction, asphalting and paving projects.

The Genoa Waterfront project begins in Piazza Kennedy, where E.S.O. Strade, as a member of the CSI group (Consorzio Stabile per le infrastrutture), is carrying out the excavation for the construction of an underground car park. The project continues with the renovation of the sports hall and the construction of two spectacular buildings that resemble the keel of a ship, to conclude at the Amico & Co. shipyard, one of the main Genoese companies and world leader in the repair and renovation of super and mega yachts.

Here, in the area adjacent to the Amico shipyards, the development of the New Nautical Centre is planned. To this end, E.S.O. Strade has been commissioned to create the foundations for the construction of a new naval facility. In the first phase, Develon DX245NHD-7 and DX235LCR-7 excavators were involved, with hydraulic and mechanically variable undercarriages, respectively, to allow for their transport, and the DX140LCR-7 excavator.

These have been joined by the brand new Develon DX17Z-7 compact zero-swing excavator, responsible for all the meticulous and necessary work on construction sites characterised by narrow spaces.

Franco Orefici, sole director of E.S.O. Strade, underlines: “A compact excavator is essential for Ligurian and Genoese construction sites. This machine is able to tackle a multitude of necessary meticulous interventions. We have always been satisfied with the Develon range, which we have been using for years, and we did not hesitate to turn to the dealer Picotto, represented by Fabio Rampini, who stands out for his competence and professionalism, for the choice of the compact excavator best suited to our needs.

“The DX17Z-7 is working incessantly on the construction site of the new Polo della Nautica, and will subsequently be used on the numerous projects, including public ones, that await us in Genoa and throughout Liguria.”

In the context of the shipyard, the Develon DX17Z-7 mini excavator, equipped with a hydraulic hammer, is performing the demolition of all the foundation piles. This process consists of removing the excess concrete that covers the piles fixed in the ground and cemented, ensuring the stability of the overlying structures, up to the desired height to allow the insertion of the plinths.

This complex and delicate operation requires the use of a mini-excavator that combines agility and robustness, essential characteristics to successfully complete the job. The Develon DX17Z-7, thanks to its compact size and its power, is able to move easily within the construction site, tackling the most demanding tasks with precision and strength. Its versatility and reliability make it the ideal tool for operations that require both the precision necessary for minute details and robustness, thus ensuring the efficiency and quality of the work.

Luigi Bonomelli, site manager for E.S.O. Strade for 44 years, says: “The DX17Z-7 mini excavator is a versatile and indispensable solution for a wide range of tasks on this shipyard. In addition to pile-clipping, its ability to perform small trenching tasks makes it ideal for operations that require precision and limited access, such as placing pipes and installing electrical systems. Furthermore, in narrow tunnels where the ground needs to be broken to make room for cable ducts, the DX17Z-7 is not only able to access but also to manoeuvre with precision, breaking and removing the necessary material without compromising the stability of the surrounding structures. This precision is essential to avoid damage to existing infrastructure during the installation of cable ducts.”

The new Develon DX17Z-7 mini excavator boasts improved stability and lifting capacity, combined with best-in-class proportional auxiliary flow, providing versatility in the handling of various attachments. The Zero House Swing concept ensures safety by keeping the corners of the superstructure protected within the swing circle. Its compact size makes it ideal for projects where every inch counts.

Equipped with a 16.2 horsepower engine, it is powerful and compact, designed to maximize efficiency and reliability. Its productivity is guaranteed by fast cycle times and best-in-class breakout forces. With a superior lifting capacity and extended reach, it facilitates the movement of heavy loads while maintaining stability.

The DX17Z-7 is configured as standard with a 1.75 m boom and a 1.03 m dipperstick, which can be replaced with an optional 1.23 m dipperstick. It includes a 180 kg cast iron counterweight, with the option of adding an additional 85 kg counterweight. The tail swing has been reduced by 6.5% compared to the previous model.

E.S.O. Strade is one of the many loyal customers with whom the Develon Picotto dealership has consolidated a close collaboration.

Founded by brothers Piergiorgio and Marco Picotto, the company has its headquarters in Bagnolo Piemonte, in the province of Cuneo, and is the exclusive Develon distributor for Liguria, Sardinia and the south of the province of Turin.

Over the years, Piergiorgio and Marco Picotto have undertaken a path of expansion and diversification of the company, creating four separate businesses to manage specific areas of activity. Pic8 Srl mainly deals with the sale of vehicles, PicoRent specializes in the rental of fleets of machines, Picotto Service is dedicated to the supply of original spare parts, as well as offering assistance and maintenance services for the machines and finally, Picoroc stands out for the transformation of Develon machines into specialized machinery for drilling ornamental stones such as marble and granite.

Fabio Rampini, Picotto area manager for Liguria, Asti and Alessandria, underlines: "Thanks to our four specializations, we are able to fully satisfy the needs of customers by providing an impeccable consultancy and assistance service on Develon machines. Our relationship with E.S.O. Strade is representative, having grown from a simple supplier-customer relationship to a partnership based on trust and friendship, highlighted by our continuous support. E.S.O. Strade switched to Develon in 2018 by purchasing the first DX235LCR-7 excavator and continued with further purchases such as the DX27, DX17Z-7, DX300, DX245, DX140LCR-7 with variable undercarriage and the very recent DX17Z-7, with further planned purchases. Our aftersales assistance is a crucial point of reference for them."

“The versatility and reliability of Develon machines,” concludes Fabio Rampini, “allow us to offer tailormade solutions for every type of need and operation. Our recent delivery of a powerful 80 tonne excavator, the DX800LC-7, in the Liguria region is a tangible example of this. With a range that also includes wheel loaders, dumpers and dozers, Develon continues to guarantee our customers extremely high-quality vehicles and unparalleled performance."

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