Ground Control 14 - Luyckx

Industry solutionsURBAN LEGENDSTwo of the first Hitachi clamshell telescopic excavators to work in the UK were selected for excavationon complex projects in central London. Completing the work safely and on schedule, they had a deepand positive impact on owners, operators and contractorsThe demand for special application machines, such as theHitachi ZX225USRLC-3 and ZX350LC-3 fitted with clamshelltelescopic arms, is rising in cities across Europe. To cater for theneeds of growing populations in urban areas, where space toexpand is a rare commodity, construction projects below groundlevel are increasingly common.Two ongoing projects in central London highlight the successfulapplication of these machines, which were supplied by the officialUK Hitachi dealer, HM Plant. The safety, productivity and reliabilityof the excavators were fundamental for both sites: the constructionof the World Conservation and Exhibition Centre; and Crossrail, anew railway for London and the south east of England.Safe and reliableWork on the World Conservation and Exhibition Centre involvedexcavation of several basement levels belonging to the neighbouringBritish Museum between autumn 2011 and summer 2012. TheCarey Group was responsible for completing the excavation toenable the construction of five storeys below ground level. Theywill house scientific research facilities, storage and study roomswhen the Centre opens in 2014.The Carey Group was established in 1969 by Chairman JohnCarey and his brothers, Pat and Tom. It specialises in demolition,civil engineering, concrete structures, building and environmentalsolutions, and works on projects throughout the UK and Ireland.More than 70 of its employees were working on the WorldConservation and Exhibition Centre project.The company invested in the Hitachi ZX225USRLC-3 followinga visit to Düsseldorf in October 2011 to see a similar modelworking on an underground car park. HM Plant OperationsDirector David Hearne organised the trip with the help of Kiesel,the official German Hitachi dealer.“Pat Carey and Sean O’Donnell were so impressed with itsperformance that they immediately ordered the excavator forthis job,” said Mr Hearne. “They were particularly impressed bythe compact size of the machine, which makes it suitable forworking at pavement level on busy, urban sites and within smallhoardings.”The sliding cab is an important feature for job sites suchas the World Conservation and Exhibition Centre. “The cab ispositioned 700mm further forward than on a conventional Hitachiexcavator,” explains Mr Hearne, “and it has the capacity to slideThe ZX225USRLC-3 with clamshell telescopic arm removes material from depths of 21m below ground level22 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NVGROUND CONTROL 23