Niek Konijn strengthens machine fleet with five Hitachi excavators

Niek Konijn B.V. of Wijdewormer recently took delivery of five new Hitachi machines. The delivery, provided by Hitachi Construction Machinery Nederland, underlines the long-standing cooperation between the two parties. 

Three mobile excavators - a ZX150W-7 and two ZX155W-7s - were delivered in late April, followed by two crawler excavators in June - a ZX225US-7 and a ZX250LC-7. All the new models were painted by Snel Spuitwerk in the company's signature colors and finished with a clear coat of paint for added protection. For versatile use, they are equipped with a host of options, taking the family business a big step forward in safety, durability and ease of operation. Furthermore, they continue to invest in a wide range of attachments, which can also be rented separately. For heavy haulage, investments have been made in a 4-axle Scania R660 with 56 tons of payload and a 1-bed 4 Faymonville trailer with removable neck and extendable floor.

High quality equipment

The three mobile excavators are equipped with a Rototilt RC4 rotary tilt with gripper, the ZX225US-7 received an RC6 with gripper, while the ZX250LC-7 is equipped with a Powertilt tilt. For all machines, they are prepared for remediation work with the latest BMair Protector overpressure unit. They also feature automatic grease lubrication, additional LED work lights, Trimble Earthworks 3D-GPS machine control, Stage V engines, travel alert and height limitation.

Equipment manager Richard Nieuwenhuis explains, "The mobile cranes also feature Nokian Ground Kare tires, extended fenders and an attractively integrated chain box at the front. The steering functions are also housed in the joysticks. A useful feature is the function to return the swivel tilt to zero at the push of a button as well as the vibration function on the joystick, which comes in handy when spreading mortar along curbs. With the ZX225US-7, we opted for a 2-piece boom, where the third articulation can be controlled via the Rototilt RC joysticks - so a foot pedal is unnecessary."

Long-term partnership

The machines were festively presented during an enjoyable get-together with the team. "A nice moment to reflect on this investment in a sustainable future," thinks owner Nick Konijn. The partnership with Hitachi goes back a long way. "My father bought his first Hitachi, a UH083, in 1986. Since then, it has been impossible to imagine our machinery without this brand. This was followed by an EX200, mobile EX100, FH220, FH330 with 16-meter boom and, of course, many ZXs. Little by little, we have grown to a fleet in which almost all excavators from 9 tons upwards are Hitachi. That has everything to do with the quality, reliability and durability."

Niek Konijn B.V. is active in the rental of earthmoving equipment throughout the Netherlands, with a focus on North Holland. The machinery fleet has about fifty of its own machines. Besides a few wheel loaders, tractors with tippers, a water truck and a roller broom, the bulk is made up of excavators ranging from 1 to over 40 tons, including some (semi) long-reach models with 12, 15 or even 18 meters of boom length. At the end of 2023, for example, the company invested in a Hitachi ZX350LC-7 with an 18-meter reach, which will be used on dike reinforcements and excavating sheet pile trenches, among other things.

Emission-free future

Although Niek Konijn recently took delivery of its first electric wheeled excavator, these Hitachi's were deliberately chosen for state-of-the-art Stage V diesel engines. "With every investment we consider zero-emission, but practice demands flexibility above all. Therefore, where necessary, we choose the cleanest diesel option. However, we do actively prepare for further electrification," says Konijn. This progressive way of thinking suits Hitachi perfectly, which wants to be at the forefront of technology, comfort and ease of operation.