My

My name is Jake Nicholls and I operate a Hitachi ZX50U-2. I’m using it to maintain a motocross track in a field on a farm in Brightwell, near Ipswich, Suffolk. I compete at national level and train on the track every day for two hours.

Work began on the track about four years ago. The earth for the jumps and hills was excavated from what is now a man-made lake in front of a farmhouse nearby. Every six months, I change the layout of the circuit using the ZX50U-2 for earthmoving, shaping and scraping.

HITACHI

The ZX50U-2 is hired from Fork Rent. Over the past four years, I’ve operated all of the Hitachi machines it has available, from the ZX10U-2 to the ZX225USRLC-3. During that time, it seems the new models that have been launched have been designed to help increase productivity.

The wide range of excavators at Fork Rent has helped me to build the track: I used a ZX130LC to create it, and for more precise work, such as building up ramps, I used a ZX50U-2 and a ZX80.

Experience

My impression of Hitachi machines is that they are durable, easy to use and reliable. The ZX50U-2 is particularly good for precise work. The controls are smooth and responsive, not jerky like those in other machines. It also feels more nimble than other brands.