Bigger is Better for The Lovell Stone Group as They Purchase the UK’s First Hitachi ZX490-6 Excavator

The Lovell Stone Group is a family-owned quarrying business based in Dorset. They specialise in providing high-quality stone for high-spec, bespoke construction projects. In recent years, the company has enjoyed strong growth, expanding their portfolio of stones and adding Hartham Park Underground Quarry to a quarry portfolio that already includes Lovell Purbeck, Somerset Lias, Chicksgrove & Chilmark and Hurdcott Greenstone.

This business expansion has necessitated enhancement of Lovell’s excavator fleet, a task they successfully completed with the recent purchase of the new Hitachi ZX490-6, which is a replacement for their current, smaller Hitachi excavator.

The larger machine has improved quarry productivity significantly. Although the nature of Lovell Stone’s work does not allow a direct tonnes per hour comparison, the ZX490-6 certainly allows the quarry to move significantly more material. Of more importance however, is the quarry’s newfound ability to extract larger stones without impacting the often delicate nature of the work.

Simon Hart, Managing Director of Lovell Purbeck, also highlighted the machine’s fuel efficiency and reliability in his praise of the ZX490-6. “As we only use one excavator at the moment, reliability is of paramount importance. We’ve used Hitachi excavators for several years now and they are always well built and reliable. The ZX490-6 also makes financial sense; we use no more fuel now than we did with the smaller machine we replaced. Hitachi machines always enjoy strong residual values, too.”

Mark Turnham UK Mines and Quarries Manager added “Simon contacted us as he was looking to increase production and handle larger block stone in the various quarries. We set about carrying out site visits to each location and discussing the operator’s needs with regards to the machine’s capabilities and bucket design. We are delighted that Lovell Stone Group have decided to continue there much valued relationship with HCM UK.”

Hart also commented on Hitachi’s customer service, saying “Hitachi Construction Machinery are always easy to deal with. In fact, our order actually arrived ahead of schedule. We have also signed up to a service contract giving peace of mind that the machine is being looked after by HCM UKs factory trained technitions”

The strong performance of the ZX490-6 is no surprise given the state of the art technology it employs. Not only does the 50 tonne excavator have the latest Tier 4 Final engine, it also enjoys an increased hydraulic pump capacity compared to its predecessor, the ZX470-5. This allows for the use of hydraulic tools and demolition attachments when required, making the machine perfect for heavy mining and quarrying. The new Hitachi HIOS IIIB hydraulic system also helps to reduce fuel consumption.

To learn more about the Hitachi ZX490-6, contact Hitachi on 0191 430 8400. Alternatively, come and talk to us and view this impressive machine at the Hillhead Exhibition on Stand Z3. We are also exhibiting the Hitachi ZX870-5 excavator, Hitachi ZW370-5 wheel loader and the recently launched Hitachi ZW310-6 wheel loader.