When Civil Sydney needed an excavator to help with its specialised piling operations, it knew it could be only a Hitachi.
The company is a leader in comprehensive piling solutions across various construction sectors, with its expertise spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and civil projects, while encompassing design and certification services.
Company director Simon Montford said because of the many specific tasks it carried out, the business operated a diverse fleet of specialised piling equipment, including about 15 piling rigs, excluding crane-mounted hammers.
Civil Sydney was established in 1995, focusing on its capabilities in driven piles, screw piles, bored piers, sheet piling, bridge foundations, rail infrastructure, marine piling, and construction.
“With a diverse portfolio, we have successfully completed projects of different scales within these construction domains. We are well known for being able to undertake difficult piling works,” Simon said.
And a love affair with one machinery brand stands out. Indeed, Civil Sydney has even adopted the same colour scheme, a sure sign of how well that equipment has performed.
“Currently within the fleet there are eight Hitachi items of plant,” Simon said.
“While we do have a number of flagship items of plant depending on the piling application, we own a big fleet of late model Hitachi excavators to help us set up specifically for piling applications.
“The excavators range from the ZX55U-5A hydraulic model to the recently purchased ZX345USLC-7 35t workhorse.
“When not in use for projects, the equipment is available for hire.
“We also use excavator-mounted vibrators for sheet piles and casing work, driving hammers for steel, concrete, and driven timber piles, and high torque drill motors allowing us to drill 10m plus in a range of diameters.
“A specialised item of Hitachi equipment, the Hitachi KR50 drill rig, employs a telescopic leader allowing bored piles to be constructed at reach.
“Another item of specialised equipment is the TesCar CF6 drill rig, a low headroom bored piling rig set on a 13T Hitachi excavator base.
“Civil Sydney has strategically always aligned with Hitachi rigs as they have always provided to be reliable products.
“Hitachi machinery is well received by our operators as they are comfortable to operate, and most importantly the Hitachi machines are well adapted to our specialised industry.
“We believe that the Hitachi products present so well, that the iconic Hitachi Orange has become a part of Civil Sydney brand recognition. Our entire fleet is now branded in the iconic orange colours.”
The ZX345USLC-7
The Hitachi range of excavators is world- renowned for being the toughest around, delivering top reliability, performance, versatility and fuel efficiency.
They can withstand the most severe working conditions and guarantee optimum productivity, backed by the latest safety and technology features.
Civil Sydney’s ZX345USLC-7 is part of Hitachi’s Zaxis-7 range of medium excavators, known for their advanced features designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and operator comfort.
Apart from its powerful and fuel-efficient engine, Simon valued its compatibility with a wide range of attachments for applications such as digging, grading, lifting, and demolition, and general job site adaptability overall.
“This model was added to the Civil Sydney fleet so that we could install 10m long sheet piles using excavator-mounted vibratory hammers,” he said.
Its compact design allows for operation in confined spaces without compromising on performance.
“Civil Sydney will couple the ZX345USLC-7 with a Muller MS7 hammer to install 10m long sheet piles on tight access sites where more lower bearing pressures are required than traditional piling rigs,” Simon said.
“We believe there is a market for this machine to be used within the rail corridor and on tight roadworks sites due to its large capacity and comparatively small footprint.”
Simon also praised the advanced hydraulic systems which provided smooth and precise control over various functions, and the -7 series’ focus on improved cab design, comfort and safety.
“I believe the Hitachi -7 series is a leader within the market with its well finished cabin and smooth hydraulic operation,” he said.
Interestingly, Civil Sydney played an integral part in bringing this particular model to the Australian market.
“I was instrumental in the inception of the ZX345-7 here,” Simon said.
“We had recognised the market for a 35t excavator within the piling sector but previously had no other option than to swap brands based on machine availability.
“Due to my brand loyalty, I was reluctant to be persuaded to purchase another machine.
“When I saw the ZX345-7 at a construction trade show, some three years ago, I knew I wanted to have one within the Australian market.”
And it’s not just the performance of the Hitachis which have delighted Simon.
“We have had a positive experience with Hitachi’s after-sales and parts service,” he said.
“They have been responsive and reliable whenever we’ve needed assistance or replacement parts.
“Our working relationship with them has been beneficial to business operations.
“Civil Sydney employs workshop personnel who communicate with Hitachi support on a regular basis.
“We also bought a Hitachi ZX160-7 excavator in the first quarter of this year, and we have been extremely happy with the product and after-sales service.
“In short, we are proud to own Hitachi machinery and look forward to a positive working relationship in the future.”
ZX345USLC-7 Specifics
• Compact design: The “USLC” in the model name stands for “Ultra-Short Rear-end Swing and Reduced Tail Swing Compact,” indicating its compact shape that enables operation in confined areas.
• Powerful engine: It is equipped with a high-high-performance Isuzu engine that meets the Tier4 final emission standards.
• Hydraulic system: Advanced hydraulic system with multiple work modes (such as high power, power and eco modes) for optimal performance and efficiency based on the task at hand. This includes features like boom/arm regeneration and attachment flow settings for precise control.
• Cab comfort: Spacious cab designed for operator comfort and productivity, featuring ergonomic controls, adjustable seating, climate control, low noise levels, and excellent visibility for enhanced safety and reduced operator fatigue.
• Technology integration: Integration of advanced technologies such as GPS/GNSS systems, telematics for remote monitoring, and onboard diagnostics to optimise performance, track machine usage, and facilitate proactive maintenance.
• Safety features: Enhanced safety features including 270-degree view safety cameras, object detection systems, and proximity alarms to improve job site safety and prevent accidents.
• Durability and maintenance: Built with durable components and designed for easy maintenance access, reducing downtime and ensuring longevity even in demanding work environments.
• Attachment versatility: Compatible with a wide range of attachments for various applications, enhancing versatility and productivity on the job site.
• Environmental considerations: It boasts environmentally sustainable features like auto-idle and eco-mode settings to optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions.