Hybrid Hitachis work for Flannery

Flannery Plant Hire has bought the first Hitachi hybrid excavators in the UK and reports that they are living up to expectations.

One Flannery’s hybrid Hitachi ZH210LC-5 crawler excavators

The Hitachi ZH210LC-5 crawler excavator uses hybrid technology to reduce emissions and fuel consumption by a claimed 31%. This reduction can be further increased to 36% when operated in ECO mode, Hitachi says.

Flannery Plant Hire managing director Patrick Flannery said: “We chose the ZH210LC-5 for the environmental benefits and its fuel saving capabilities, and it has certainly delivered. The substantial fuel saving was immediately evident, making the excavators very cost beneficial, and they have been performing well on work sites at Heysham Bypass and the A556.”

Hitachi’s Trias HX system combines hydraulic, electric, and battery power. The system works by using swing motion when the arm is operated to generate electricity. This is then stored in the capacitor unit to be discharged to the electric swing motor and power the excavator. Combined with the Hitachi ZH210LC-5’s hydraulic motor, it operates with the same efficiency and capability as the Hitachi Zaxis-5 models.