Go anywhere, do anything!
Who better to ask about the performance of the new Hitachi Zaxis‑5 wheeled excavator range than Hans Schoenmaker, owner of the Dutch earthmoving and agricultural contractor, H Schoenmaker? WH? EX? ZX? Hans has owned the lot!
*Some modifications were added by dealer HCME Domestic.
- Tell us about your company?
- H Schoenmaker started in 1984, we are based at Beverwijk – only 7km from the Hitachi factory in Amsterdam – and currently employ 20 staff.
- How long have you worked with Hitachi?
- We have been dealing with the Hitachi dealer for the past 22 years, predominantly with mini and wheeled excavators.
- Which wheeled excavators have you owned?
- Our first was a WH073 and we’ve had six different EX100WDs. These were all excellent machines, which worked very well and never broke down.
- Which Zaxis machines does your fleet contain at the moment?
- We’ve invested in a ZX130W and ZX160W, and recently bought the ZX140W‑5. We now have a total of eight Zaxis excavators.
- Why do you buy Hitachi excavators?
- Hitachi is a strong brand and the quality is excellent. For example, the ZX130W has 11,000 hours and the ZX160W 8,500, and we’ve only ever had to change the oil and filters.
- Why do you invest in Zaxis wheeled excavators?
- The running costs are low and they are ultra-reliable. They are also incredibly versatile – they can go anywhere and do anything with a wide range of attachments.
- How does the new ZX140W‑5 compare?
- The ZX140W‑5 is a beautiful machine and we have tailored the specification to meet our requirements. It is really smooth and fast, and Niels (the operator) loves the level of comfort in the cab.
- What are your future plans?
- We are often approached by other manufacturers, but when you have a good supplier, like Hitachi, there is no reason to change. When it’s good, it’s good…
