Skip to main content

Hitachi ZX135US-5 and ZX210LC-5 excavators work in Sjodalen valley

Norwegian contractor Skogen has started building a service road for a log-cabin development in Norway’s Sjodalen valley. More than 90 of the 120m2 cabins are being constructed to order and the project is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months. The Vågå-based company was set up in 1982 by owner Ola Skogen and is firmly focused on general construction activities including groundworks and roads, as well as foundations, drainage and utilities for log cabins. The contractor’s medium excavat
July 7, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
Hitachi logs time in Sjodalen valley
Norwegian contractor Skogen has started building a service road for a log-cabin development in Norway’s Sjodalen valley.

More than 90 of the 120m2 cabins are being constructed to order and the project is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.

The Vågå-based company was set up in 1982 by owner Ola Skogen and is firmly focused on general construction activities including groundworks and roads, as well as foundations, drainage and utilities for log cabins.

The contractor’s medium excavator fleet is now 100% 233 Hitachi from which the company deployed a ZX135US-5 and ZX210LC-5 to start work at the scenic location. Sjodalen is a wide, gently sloping valley in southern Norway and in which flows the river Sjoa from the deep mountain lake Gjende.

Skogen’s strategy is to use relatively new machinery. So after each model reaches between  6,000-7,000 working hours it is updated from the authorised Hitachi construction machinery dealer in Norway, Nasta. “This is especially the case for the latest generation of Zaxis excavators,” said Ola Skogen. “which has comparatively low fuel consumption and overall running costs.”

The company’s Zaxis excavators are supplied with HELP - Hitachi Extended Life Programme - extended warranty and service contracts. With a duration of five years/8,000 hours, this level of cover allows the contractor to plan ahead with fixed costs and well maintained equipment.

Rune Morten Ryen has been working as an operator with Skogen for 15 years. “The ZX135US-5 is so versatile,” he explained of his previous machine. “You can use it wherever you want, even in gardens and between buildings. The cab is spacious and well equipped for our needs. It’s easy to turn and manoeuvre, plus the short-tail swing is hugely beneficial in confined spaces.”

He has recently been allocated to the ZX210LC-5. “It is very stable, powerful and offers more capacity. This is the machine’s first job and it’s been useful to test it with different attachments, such as the hammer, which is only required occasionally to break up rock. The monitor is also useful for checking information and the rear-view camera is ideal.

“The two machines are working well together and they have proved to be a strong combination for this job. They can operate in restricted areas and there is enough power when we need it.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road recycling developments coming to market
    March 22, 2017
    Major manufacturers are introducing new machines for road milling and recycling that will boost output and lower the cost/m - Mike Woof writes New machines for milling and road recycling will offer increased performance and productivity than earlier generation equipment. Higher quality cutting will help contractors achieve smoother surfaces and considerably lower paving costs also. Meanwhile new recycler/stabiliser machines will offer a better cost/m and improve the economics of road recycling for contra
  • 2-4 year-old construction equipment tops buyer ‘wish list’
    May 11, 2012
    A leading used construction equipment auctioneer firm boss believes equipment aged between 2 and 4 years is now topping buyers’ ‘wish lists’, as 1 to 2-year-old used stocks deplete. Jonnie Keys, General Manager of Euro Auctions, said that with the cost of new equipment currently up by around 20% on prices in June 2009, the used market is still strong. “Euro Auctions has repeatedly seen over 30% of all plant sold leaving the UK and Europe for projects in Australia, South Africa, South America, Central Ameri
  • Fast flyover removal with specialist demolition equipment
    July 12, 2012
    An overcrowded Indian flyover was removed in record time using specialist demolition equipment, as Patrick Smith reports Demolition of the landmark Lalbaug flyover south of central Mumbai has been completed and work on a new bigger bridge has started in India's largest city. Although the 38-year-old Sant Dnyaneshwar (Lalbaug flyover) two-lane, one-way traffic artery was serviceable and used by to 15,000 vehicles/hour, there were daily traffic jams and environmental consequences. Despite the complex and dema
  • Developments in excavators and loaders
    February 14, 2012
    In the earthmoving sector, much development is being seen in excavators and wheeled loaders used for digging and loading, Mike Woof reports