Central hits the heights

Bonnybridge, UK, based contractor Central Demolition has recently added three new Hitachi demolition specification excavators to its equipment fleet, which now stands at 35 units ranging in weight from 20 to 60 tonnes.

The flagship is a new Hitachi 870LCH, with a Kocurek-designed three piece high reach boom that, with a 3 m (9.9 ft) extension piece, can reach to 43 m (141 ft), at which height it can carry 2.3 tonnes, with a maximum outreach of 20 m (65.6 ft). Power comes from a Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim compliant Isuzu diesel delivering 397 kW (532 hp). Further features on the high reach specification include a hydraulically tilting operator’s cab, heavy duty belly plates and auto shut-down.

It has been joined by two other new Hitachis – a Zaxis 350LC and a Zaxis 170W – both in demolition specification. Central also decided to give an older Hitachi ZX850H high reach in its fleet a refresh, which included a major overhaul of the running gear, operating gear and a fresh coat of paint.

Central director Ross Craig, who took delivery of the company’s first brand new Hitachi in 2000, sees the latest bespoke modifications undertaken by Kocurek as a significant step forward in the development of the high reach concept – particularly where the cab is concerned. “This is our third machine with the Kocurek high reach design and this latest version ticks all the boxes especially when it comes to upward and forward visibility for the operator,” he said.