The ZX65USB-5 mini excavator is the largest machine in Hitachi’s mini range.
Hitachi excavators are renowned for durability while delivering high levels of productivity with reduced running costs, and the ZX65USB-5’s round, compact body design combines with wide-opening covers, a spacious cab and enhanced visibility to make the operator’s workspace safe, comfortable and efficient.
And it’s not only experienced, professional operators who appreciate the benefits of Hitachi design and build quality.
R-Willy
At 28, Ryan Williams – ‘R-Willy’ to his legions of Instagram and Youtube followers – already has a fairly spectacular career to look back on. When it comes to sport, Ryan is all about the action.
“I’m a professional BMX rider,” grinned the Sunshine Coaster. “I’ve been doing it since I was 12. I’ve been touring with Nitro Circus for 11 years and won five X Games medals.”
As we tried to digest what 11 years of BMX flips and insane jumps must be like, we were driven to wonder what need an action-sport champion would have for an excavator.
“I have 40 acres of land,” explained Ryan, “and it has a lot of tracks.
“It used to be a mango farm, and the Hitachi is great for clearing tracks, creating firebreaks, making sure the paths are clear…I didn’t have an excavator before, and the tracks would get overgrown to the point where we couldn’t mow them.”
Lift and carry
Ryan’s other big use for his ZX65USB-5 is hefting around the giant ramps he uses for his BMX and scooter jumps.
“My ramps weigh over a ton, the Hitachi turns a 15-man job into a one- or two-man job,” he said. “There’s a lot more I can do with the Hitachi, and that’s why I bought the six-tonne machine. I’m using a 20-foot ramp now and I know I’m only going bigger, so I bought a machine which could handle the growth.
“But it’s mostly handling the ramps and working around the property.”
Word of mouth
With very little experience on earthmoving machinery of any kind, we were curious about what led Ryan to choose Hitachi.
“I’d heard they’re a really reliable machine, and my dad’s a pro excavator operator and he vouched for the Hitachi brand,” said Ryan. “I have a friend who’s also a BMX rider and who drives excavators, and he vouched for them as well.
“I went and visited the Hitachi branch in Brisbane and met Antony Moore, Sales Representative for Hitachi. He showed me the machines – they’re beautiful-looking machines – and I went with them.”
How difficult is it for a novice to handle a ZX65USB-5?
“I have no excavator background,” outlined Ryan, “but my dad operates excavators for a living, so he taught me what I need to know to use the Hitachi. As long as you’re a in a spot where you can’t really break stuff, where there’s open space, you can pick it up pretty quick.
“I’ve got the Steelwrist tiltrotator on it as well, and I’m learning from scratch. I’ve only done about 50 hours in it so far and there’s a lot more to learn, but I’m pretty stoked on it.”
Easy to live with
Although Ryan’s still fairly new to the Hitachi, he understands the need for maintenance, and so far he considers it a real plus for the ZX65USB-5. Right now it gets fired up and put to work three or four times a week.
“The daily maintenance is really easy,” he said. “It’s one of the things I loved about it.
“When Antony opened everything up it was really simple for him to explain it to me. He only had to show me once and I pretty much know how to maintain the machine now.”
When it comes to tackling the tough stuff, the Hitachi and the action-sports athlete are a great match.
See the entire Hitachi range at hitachicm.com.au.