How the Hitachi ZX890LCR-7 large excavator is helping progress on a Greek road construction project

A Hitachi Premium Rental ZX890LCR-7 large excavator is working on a high-profile road construction project in Greece. Hired by Aigistos SA from the Greek Hitachi dealer, Helma SA, it is working on the Patras-Pyrgos stretch of the Olympia Odos. Upon completion, the motorway will provide a faster route between the two cities and link to the existing toll road to Athens.

Project Manager Vasilis Koletsis says: “This section is 75km long and divided into three sections. Aigistos is building the middle section, which is 35km long, from Kareika to Gastouni.” The company estimates that three million cubic metres of earth will be moved as part of the project.

On site since summer 2023, the ZX890LCR-7 is operated by Zigeris Christos. “I’ve been working with this machine for a year and I’m quite happy with it. I don't think there is anything Hitachi needs to improve on this machine. It's relaxing for the operator – the cab is comfortable and spacious. Even after several hours of work, you get out of the machine feeling rested and in the mood to go and grab a coffee.”

The ZX890LCR-7 is part of Aigistos’ sizeable Premium Rental fleet – the company has also rented two additional ZX890-7 and four ZX490-7 large excavators, and two ZX180W-7 wheeled excavators and a ZW220-7 wheel loader from Helma SA. All are on a three-year rental contract, after which time Aigistos can decide whether to purchase each machine for a favourable price compared to the market value.

“Hitachi Premium Rental gives us an option to buy at the end of the contract, which we don’t have with other brands,” says Vasilis. “We can pay the machines off monthly, and the expenses are incorporated into business expenses. Another advantage of renting construction equipment is that new machines are more fuel-efficient and reliable, so they have less downtime than older models.”