Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) is expanding its connected machines portfolio by offering factory-fitted 2D and 3D machine control solutions from Leica Geosystems on its 10 to 50 tonne range of Zaxis-7 excavators.
The solutions are installed in the Hitachi factory in Amsterdam, which HCME says means customers will benefit from (supplier) warranty, extensive testing to ensure optimum machine calibration, and professional installation.
It adds that customers will be able to choose from several options through their authorised Hitachi dealer and will benefit from a simplified purchasing and delivery process as the financing for both the excavator and the additional Leica Geosystems machine control technology can be combined in a single package.
The partnership with Leica Geosystems also provides HCME customers with hands-on training upon machine delivery. The Leica Geosystems solution is designed to work optimally with Hitachi excavators, improving their lifetime value when OEM-fitted.
HCME says that adding Leica Geosystems machine control technology to its excavators increases efficiency on the job site while lowering running costs, and enables work to be completed on time, on specification, on budget, safely and sustainably. It adds that, from simple slope grading to blind and submerged cuts, the machine control solution provides operators with an easy-to-use system to rapidly excavate to the reference design.
The factory-fitted options that will be available with Hitachi excavators are: 2D machine control; 2D ready with 3D bracket and wires, so customers can upgrade to 3D when required; and a complete 3D option. In addition, Hitachi factory-fitted tilt rotator attachments can also be fully integrated into the system.
“This announcement is in line with HCME’s strategy to shift to digitalisation and provide customised solutions to our customers,” says HCME solution linkage manager Ryo Kurihara. “By taking advantage of a factory-fitted Leica Geosystems solution, operators can start work immediately after machine delivery.”
Magnus Thibblin, Leica Geosystems machine control president, adds: “Collaboration is essential to the success of construction projects. We recognise the importance of partnerships and industry cooperation to provide contractors with the latest easily accessible technologies. We are pleased to work with Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) to provide customers with high-standard machine control solutions on Zaxis-7 excavators delivered directly from the factory.”
