Hitachi Zaxis-7 SLF excavator transforms Swedish regeneration project
Why contractor Steffes Schakt AB relies on a Hitachi ZX350LC-7 SLF fitted with a Leica Geosystems machine control solution.
A cultural destination
Steffes Schakt AB has been specialising in the usage of Hitachi super long front excavators on infrastructure, dredging and decontamination projects for just over 30 years, such as this regeneration scheme in Stockholm’s Meatpacking District. The area is being transformed into a cultural destination that will be completed within the next ten years. Work has already begun on the urban development for 3,000 residential units, 14,000 workplaces, commerce, and other services.
Smooth and precise
Steffes Schakt AB is working as a subcontractor for Skanska on a 250 m section of water, drainage and sewage. This process started in November 2023 and the Ekerö-based company has commissioned a Hitachi ZX350LC-7 SLF with Leica machine control for the work.
Flexible and stable
Oliver values the versatility of the ZX350LC-7 SLF without the need to have another standard machine on site: “The super long front is perfect for efficiently preparing the trenches, which smaller, conventional machines are unable to do. In addition, the machine shows its flexibility on this project as it is stable – even with a full bucket at long reach – and it can also load the ADTs safely and correctly.”
Put to the test in Stockholm
Operator Oliver Zacryander is digging the trench to a depth of 5.5 m and width of approximately 10 m. “At this depth, the materials are soft and there is too much water penetration,” he explains. “So, to prepare the trench for the pipework, the materials have to be excavated and loaded on to articulated dump trucks, before it is reinforced with 90/30 mm aggregates.
“We then lay a water pipe, an 800 cm drainage pipe and a 300 cm sewage pipe – all in sections – and finish with finer 0/8 mm materials under and over the pipework. Another team then returns the ground to its original state and this will form part of the regeneration area.”
Exceptional versatility and a comfortable cab
“I use the tiltrotator and quick coupler for most of my work, but not when I’m excavating the harder materials on this site,” explains Oliver.
“I also use a variety of attachments for everything from breaking the surface to loading the trucks, and from handling large rocks to digging under the pipes.
“There is less noise in the Zaxis-7 cab and it is more comfortable and better equipped than the -6 series. I prefer the layout and the improved technology, for example it is more user-friendly, and you have greater functionality on the monitor.”
