When Charvin Entreprises needed a versatile medium excavator to work on its construction projects in and around the city of Annecy, it found a fast and cost-effective rental solution from Hitachi and its local dealer, Teramat. A ZX135US-6 medium excavator was rented on a flexible contract and delivered in December 2018.

Within the first three months, it worked on several projects, including the Cosy Lac residential development in Saint-Jorioz, comprising 44 new apartments. Here, the versatile model was used for earthmoving, utilities and landscaping. Its short-tail swing was ideal for the busy site, on which there were several parked vehicles, and trucks frequently arriving and departing.

This is the first Hitachi excavator to be used by the company, which has a fleet of six other excavators and five wheel loaders. Works Supervisor Fabrice Klemencic contacted local Hitachi dealer Teramat with his request due to his longstanding working relationship with salesman Carlos Negrillo. His previous experience with Hitachi machines while working at a different company, and Teramat’s reputation for providing a high standard of service, were also factors in his decision.

Try before you buy

“We wanted to hire a 13- to 15-tonne excavator, as we had the work but did not have the financial means to purchase a machine of this size at that time,” says Fabrice. He found the rental process to be straightforward with Hitachi and Teramat, and appreciates having an opportunity to test the new model before buying.

“The advantage of renting equipment is that we get new machines with the specification we asked for. If we’re satisfied with it, and we have the work, we’re likely to purchase it. Normally, it’s quite complicated to rent a machine, and if you source one from a hire company, you don’t have the chance to buy the machine later. We selected Hitachi and Teramat because we say, ‘Hitachi – no worries’.”

The ZX135US-6 is also the first Hitachi excavator to be used by operator Cyril Bergeret. “It is comfortable, easy to use, fast and responsive, and the noise levels are low,” he says. “They have really thought about the features for the operator, and this helps us to feel less tired in the evening.”