A Hitachi Premium Rental compact electric excavator has helped to regenerate the town centre of Aalst, near Eindhoven in The Netherlands.
The ZE85 was used by J. van Uijthoven & Zn BV for groundworks, sewerage activities, and installing utility pipes.
To bid for the government-funded project, company owner Jurgen van Uijthoven had to demonstrate how electric excavators could be used for the work. As it was scheduled to be a two-year project, he opted to rent the ZE85 through local Hitachi dealer, Pellen BV, and HCM Nederland.
“The team at Pellen are helpful and we have been working together for 30 years,”said Jurgen. “That’s why I went to them for an electric machine and didn’t look elsewhere.”
Jurgen selected the 8.5-tonne model due to its compact size, relatively low weight, and ability to work in confined spaces. Although it can also be cable-operated, Hitachi explained it is more practical for operators to charge the excavator during lunch breaks and overnight.
“The performance is similar to a diesel machine and the controls are the same,” said operator Wil van Gerven. “It is quieter than a diesel model, and you have to think about charging – it’s a different way of working. There are many different tasks on site, some heavier than others, so it depends on what you are doing.”
Jurgen also rented a larger ZE135 electric digger to use on a six-month sewer replacement project in Bladel. The rest of his company’s Hitachi fleet, however, has been purchased from Pellen, and includes two ZXW-7 wheeled excavators, a Premium Used ZX210-6, and ZX19 and ZX38U mini-excavators.
