JOhN DEERE 850J JOhN DEERE 850J - CablePrice

TRACK & WHEEL
mark before selling it on, but when the ‘dash five’ came out it
looked really good on paper. David Neilson at CablePrice in
Hamilton made a strong argument for bringing it in, so we did.”
The ZAXIS-5 excavators have already been widely praised
for their efficient hydraulics systems and precise operating
abilities, along with practical touches like the new service bay
doors on the engine compartment that allow more airflow.
The cab has been enhanced with ROPS and OPG Level II front
and top guards as standard, clearer entry and exit around the
repositioned door pillar and a larger monitor display that shows
both the main operation functions and the rear view camera at
the same time.
Warren spec’d his machine with a short dipper arm allowing
for more weight and a long undercarriage. The heavy-duty nature
of Warren’s operation means ZX350 ‘H’ model standard features
like its strengthened front attachments and track frames,
guarding and breaker piping, reinforced idler bracket and fulllength
track guards are all welcome additions.
“It’s our main production machine on-site, so we need
it to be fast and consistent. Just stepping up to the heavier
counterweight of the 350 [6900kg versus the 6350kg the ZX330
boasts] has made a huge difference for us.”
Inside the cab, Warren’s Te Kuiti-based machine is stock, but
he praises the ZAXIS’ easy concessions to operator comfort.
“There’s so much room in the cab and the air suspension on
the seat is great,” he says. “The climate control works well too.”
But Warren saves his biggest thumbs-up for CablePrice’s
Hamilton service team, who have already provided exceptional
after sales support in the relatively short time he has been
operating the new machine.
“David Neilson and his team have been utterly superb. I can’t
recommend them highly enough,” he enthuses.
“The mechanics come down to us from Hamilton for servicing
and they always schedule in either first thing in the morning or
after the work site has closed down for the day.
“It might sound like a small thing but they really make the
effort in that regard; especially when you consider they need to
travel a bit to get to us. Coming in outside of normal work hours
means we lose very little operating time as a result. That suits me
down to the ground.”
Despite the ZAXIS-5’s grunt, this range of machines actually
boasts a five percent reduction in fuel consumption and the
addition of an ECO mode which can cut fuel consumption by a
further nine percent when compared to the PWR mode; out-ofthe-box
traits which appeal to Warren.
In 2010 Ruakuri Contracting humbled some of the industry’s
biggest players by taking out the transport category in that
year’s annual Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
(EECA) Awards. The silverware came Ruakuri’s way in
recognition of the company’s concerted efforts to reduce its
environmental impact; cutting its fuel usage by 13 percent,
displacing over 90,000 litres of diesel with biodiesel and
reducing its CO2 emissions by more than 140 tonnes within
three years – all in all, a massive effort for a small company.
With biodiesel prices becoming more volatile in the
intervening couple of years though, Warren now puts outright
fuel efficiency ahead of any other alternative fix.
“It’s just not economically viable anymore to buy biodiesel
like we were a few years back, so running an excavator with
better fuel efficiency is more important than ever. The ‘dash five’
has already proved its worth on that score.”
There’s plenty to like about the new ZAXIS-5; early interest
turns swiftly into positive operator experiences. The heart of the
King Country already hosts one satisfied customer, with many
more already following Ruakuri Contracting’s lead nationwide.
32 CablePrice