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

  • Cat introduces its economic D Series mini excavators
    January 6, 2017
    Cat’s new 302.4D mini excavator is one of four mini excavator models being introduced by the company at bauma. Like fellow D Series models the 301.7D and 302.2D, the 302.4D is said to be a powerful and versatile machine that works comfortably in confined spaces. With model configurations said to closely reflect their operating weights of 1.6-2.5tonnes, the new D Series machines are said by Cat to feature powerful hydraulics, a spacious operator environment and excellent service access.
  • Cat introduces its economic D Series mini excavators
    April 8, 2013
    Cat’s new 302.4D mini excavator is one of four mini excavator models being introduced by the company at bauma. Like fellow D Series models the 301.7D and 302.2D, the 302.4D is said to be a powerful and versatile machine that works comfortably in confined spaces. With model configurations said to closely reflect their operating weights of 1.6-2.5tonnes, the new D Series machines are said by Cat to feature powerful hydraulics, a spacious operator environment and excellent service access.
  • Drilling rig meets the utility supply challenge
    April 11, 2012
    A tricky utility supply project has been carried out in difficult conditions in Germany, without disturbing a village access road. The drilling work for the project was operated by boring contractor Beermann and the site was located on a plateau some 5km from the nearest village.
  • Drilling rig meets the utility supply challenge
    May 9, 2012
    A tricky utility supply project has been carried out in difficult conditions in Germany, without disturbing a village access road. The drilling work for the project was operated by boring contractor Beermann and the site was located on a plateau some 5km from the nearest village.