OPERATION FOCUS
Passionate about peat
Hitachi Construction
Machinery has developed a series of machines that specialises in delivering
strong production results in peat conditions – a growing issue in Finland
atural and remote environments create unique challenges for manufacturers of construction machinery. Assisted by its dealer in Finland and the specialist after-sales support it provides, Hitachi is meeting the demands of the local geography and the requirements of its customers with its range of factory and dealer-modified excavators. With the highest share of forest land in
N
Europe, Finland is an important market for forestry machines. The Nordic country’s birch, pine and fir trees are its primary natural resource and it is one of the world’s largest exporters of paper and paperboard. Another valuable natural resource in Finland is peat, which is found in wetlands that make up one third of the country’s land area. Its peat reserves are double the oil reserves found in the North Sea, and are used to generate heat and electricity for domestic and industrial purposes.
Companies working in both forestry and peat
production in Finland can opt for two Hitachi excavators designed specifically for forestry applications: the ZX135USL-3 and ZX225USRL-3. Both are manufactured at Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV. The ZX135USL-3 is a short-radius swing machine with a durable undercarriage; reinforced upper structure, upper rollers, tracks and side step; track guards; and a damage prevention plate on the arm. Its increased ground clearance ensures greater mobility and enhanced stability in timber yards and forests. The ZX225USRL-3 shares many of the same
features as the ZX135USL-3, and its boom also has a high-lift bracket. This means it can lift higher than the standard ZX225USRLC-3 model. Both the ZX135USL-3 and ZX225USRL-3 can be
ZX110M-3 has been specially modified by the official Hitachi dealer in Finland, Rotator, for forestry applications.
The ZX110M-3 and ZX135USL-3 are more commonly found in Finland’s forests and peat bogs than the ZX225USRL-3, because they are ideal for working on soft, damp ground – Janne Salomäki, Rotator
equipped with a variety of attachments, which make them extremely versatile.
In addition to these two models, the demand for a lighter machine is high in Finland, due to the soft terrain of its forest land and peat bogs. To meet customer requirements, the Hitachi
52 International Forest Industries | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2011
The ZX110M-3 is based on the standard ZX110-3, but has been designed for use on soft ground, muddy terrains and gradients. It has increased traction force, and greater ground and counterweight clearance than the standard ZX110-3 model. “The ZX110M-3 and ZX135USL-3 are more commonly found in Finland’s forests and peat bogs than the ZX225USRL-3, because they are ideal for working on soft, damp ground,” Product Manager of Construction Equipment at Rotator, Janne Salomäki, said. Rotator began distributing Hitachi construction machinery in Finland in 1983 and has helped the brand to establish a strong identity over the past 27 years. “Hitachi machines are popular for forestry applications in Finland,” Janne added. “The brand has had a presence in this sector for longer than all of its competitors, so customers have had time to develop positive experiences with Hitachi machines.”
The ZX135USL-3 working at a peat bog in
central Finland
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