AN Umbrian contractor has purchased a new Hitachi Zaxis-5 mini excavator to work on a prestigious utilities project in Perugia. BTF (Benedetti, Torricelli, Fuccelli) ordered the ZX55U-5 from the Italian Hitachi dealer, SCAI, and immediately set it to work on the transformation of the Monteluce hospital after it had been delivered in August 2013.
The former hospital occupies an area of 75,000m2, which is situated close to the historic city centre. While some of the existing buildings are being preserved and restored, the remainder of the estate is being demolished to make way for a new 65,000m2 development.
This will include a diverse range of residential and student properties, commercial and office buildings, and health, social and other services. The refurbishment work will also see the introduction of an array of new public spaces, including gardens, squares, and pedestrian and parking areas. The 70million project started in 2009 after the transfer of the hospital’s services to new facilities and will be completed by 2015.
BTF won a tender process from BNP Paribas Real Estate for the installation of the gas, electricity and water services, which commenced in April 2012. The Gualdo Cattaneo-based company specialises in earthmoving and utility work, as well as general and road construction projects, with 60% of its work coming from the public sector. It has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with SCAI – dating back to its origins in 1965 – and it currently has three Hitachi excavators in its fleet of construction machinery.
“The new Hitachi excavator offers us a high level of versatility thanks to its excellent hydraulic system,” says one of BTF’s three owners, Miguel Torricelli. “It is a very good machine for operating the breaker efficiently and it digs trenches and loads trucks well with the standard bucket. We have also found it to be precise, reliable and the ECO mode significantly reduces fuel consumption.” Operator Riccardo Giglietti has also been impressed with the ZX55U-5: “The cab is excellent and very comfortable – I have ample leg room, which is impressive for a machine of this size. It’s a typical Hitachi excavator, so it has a number of high-tech features and is reliable.”
