My
My name is Nicolas Trinquard and I work for Maquignon Frères, a family-run company established in 1954. It employs 24 people and owns two limestone quarries in Vienne, western France.
I drive a Hitachi ZW310 wheel loader in the larger quarry, which also has an on-site factory. Here the limestone is cut into blocks and ornate products for domestic and garden use. The limestone is also used by construction companies to restore old castles and châteaux in the area.
HITACHI
Maquignon Frères has used Hitachi machines since 1991 and has a long-standing relationship with the local dealer, VSM. The first was an EX400, which is still in use, and the company currently has a ZX210, a ZX460 and a ZX50U-2 mini-excavator.
Experience
I have driven several Hitachi wheel loaders, including the LX290-E. Compared to the old machine, the ZW310 is much more comfortable. The seat in the cab is softer, the suspension is better and the all-round visibility is excellent. It feels easier to handle and more stable when loading trucks.
It is very precise and feels more durable than its predecessor. It is also a relatively quiet machine during operation, so it does not disturb residents in the nearby village.
The best thing about the ZW310 is that it can do so many different jobs. It can carry blocks of limestone as well as load them onto a dump truck. I can swap the bucket and fork attachments quite easily, without having to leave the cab, which saves time and increases productivity. If I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say the Hitachi ZW310 is excellent!
FRANCE > ZW310 > QUARRYING