Skip to main content

Hitachi digs deep in Paris

A Hitachi excavator has enabled the creation of a subterranean six-floor car park in the centre of Paris. The ZX225USRLC-3 was used to dig deep below ground in the French capital and remove 65,000m³ of earth before construction of the facility could begin. For Saperfe Travaux Publics, a sub-contractor working on the project, the Hitachi machine was the only specialist equipment required. The clamshell telescopic arm of the ZX225USRLC-3 can reach depths of up to 25m.
February 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The Hitachi ZX225USRLC-3 excavator was used to dig deep below ground in paris
A 233 Hitachi excavator has enabled the creation of a subterranean six-floor car park in the centre of Paris.

The ZX225USRLC-3 was used to dig deep below ground in the French capital and remove 65,000m³ of earth before construction of the facility could begin.

For Saperfe Travaux Publics, a sub-contractor working on the project, the Hitachi machine was the only specialist equipment required. The clamshell telescopic arm of the ZX225USRLC-3 can reach depths of up to 25m.

At the site, the small footprint achieved with the zero-tail swing maximised productivity as it enabled trucks to stop directly adjacent to the excavator for immediate loading. As a result, the Hitachi excavator loaded each of the 13 trucks productively.

According to operator Marco Ferreira, the ZX225USRLC-3 was ideal for digging deep below ground and beyond the range of conventional excavators.

"The extension/retraction device in the arm moves quickly to enable a smooth telescopic movement. The sliding cab and extended window make it comfortable to operate," he said.

According to Hitachi, the ZX225USRLC-3 also coped well with the earth's high-water content which presented the toughest challenge. As the ground was so soft, a network of pipes was used to hold the car park's underground structure in place.

The excavator had to work in and around these pipes, which proved a delicate task.

Site manager Laurent Petain explains: "The excavator worked in 5.5m deep sections at a time and had to be extremely precise." Supplied by official French Hitachi dealer Payen, the ZX225USRLC-3 is the third Hitachi addition to the Saperfe fleet. The company also has a ZX210W-3 wheeled excavator and a ZX25 mini excavator.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • DSS Group invests in Hitachi ZX670LC-5 excavator
    August 23, 2013
    One of Poland’s largest aggregates producers, DSS Group, has purchased a new Hitachi ZX670LC-5 for its quarry at Pilawa Górna in Lower Silesia. The company took delivery of the Zaxis-5 large excavator from Polish Hitachi dealer Tona in January 2013 as a key part of its strategy for aggregates production at the site. The DSS Group – owned by Dolnolskie Surowce Skalne SA – is the largest domestic producer of crushed aggregates for infrastructure projects. It has a 30-year licence to extract amphibolite (a
  • New Cat D Series Mini Excavators
    February 18, 2013
    Caterpillar’s new D Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators – 301.7D, 302.2D and 302.4D – are described as powerful, versatile machines that work comfortably in confined spaces. With model configurations closely reflecting their 1.6 to 2.5tonne operating weights, the new machines are said to feature powerful hydraulics, a spacious operator environment and excellent service access. Compact in size, the 301.7D, 302.2D and 302.4D can be easily transported on a trailer, or in a pick-up truck. The 301.7D can be specifi
  • Caterpillar’s New D Series Mini Excavators
    February 18, 2013
    Caterpillar’s new D Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators – 301.7D, 302.2D and 302.4D – are described as powerful, versatile machines that work comfortably in confined spaces. With model configurations closely reflecting their 1.6 to 2.5tonne operating weights, the new machines are said to feature powerful hydraulics, a spacious operator environment and excellent service access. Compact in size, the 301.7D, 302.2D and 302.4D can be easily transported on a trailer, or in a pick-up truck. The 301.7D can be specifi
  • Multiple roles for compact construction machines
    February 24, 2012
    Versatility remains the key for the utility equipment sector. The range of duties that compact machines can be used for continues to grow.