Hitachi logs time in Sjodalen valley
Norwegian contractor Skogen has started building a service road for a log-cabin development in Norway’s Sjodalen valley.
More than 90 of the 120m2 cabins are being constructed to order and the project is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.
The Vågå-based company was set up in 1982 by owner Ola Skogen and is firmly focused on general construction activities including groundworks and roads, as well as foundations, drainage and utilities for log cabins.
The contractor’s medium excavator fleet is now 100%233 Hitachi from which the company deployed a ZX135US-5 and ZX210LC-5 to start work at the scenic location. Sjodalen is a wide, gently sloping valley in southern Norway and in which flows the river Sjoa from the deep mountain lake Gjende.
Skogen’s strategy is to use relatively new machinery. So after each model reaches between 6,000-7,000 working hours it is updated from the authorised Hitachi construction machinery dealer in Norway, Nasta. “This is especially the case for the latest generation of Zaxis excavators,” said Ola Skogen. “which has comparatively low fuel consumption and overall running costs.”
The company’s Zaxis excavators are supplied with HELP - Hitachi Extended Life Programme - extended warranty and service contracts. With a duration of five years/8,000 hours, this level of cover allows the contractor to plan ahead with fixed costs and well maintained equipment.
Rune Morten Ryen has been working as an operator with Skogen for 15 years. “The ZX135US-5 is so versatile,” he explained of his previous machine. “You can use it wherever you want, even in gardens and between buildings. The cab is spacious and well equipped for our needs. It’s easy to turn and manoeuvre, plus the short-tail swing is hugely beneficial in confined spaces.”
He has recently been allocated to the ZX210LC-5. “It is very stable, powerful and offers more capacity. This is the machine’s first job and it’s been useful to test it with different attachments, such as the hammer, which is only required occasionally to break up rock. The monitor is also useful for checking information and the rear-view camera is ideal.
“The two machines are working well together and they have proved to be a strong combination for this job. They can operate in restricted areas and there is enough power when we need it.”
More than 90 of the 120m2 cabins are being constructed to order and the project is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.
The Vågå-based company was set up in 1982 by owner Ola Skogen and is firmly focused on general construction activities including groundworks and roads, as well as foundations, drainage and utilities for log cabins.
The contractor’s medium excavator fleet is now 100%
Skogen’s strategy is to use relatively new machinery. So after each model reaches between 6,000-7,000 working hours it is updated from the authorised Hitachi construction machinery dealer in Norway, Nasta. “This is especially the case for the latest generation of Zaxis excavators,” said Ola Skogen. “which has comparatively low fuel consumption and overall running costs.”
The company’s Zaxis excavators are supplied with HELP - Hitachi Extended Life Programme - extended warranty and service contracts. With a duration of five years/8,000 hours, this level of cover allows the contractor to plan ahead with fixed costs and well maintained equipment.
Rune Morten Ryen has been working as an operator with Skogen for 15 years. “The ZX135US-5 is so versatile,” he explained of his previous machine. “You can use it wherever you want, even in gardens and between buildings. The cab is spacious and well equipped for our needs. It’s easy to turn and manoeuvre, plus the short-tail swing is hugely beneficial in confined spaces.”
He has recently been allocated to the ZX210LC-5. “It is very stable, powerful and offers more capacity. This is the machine’s first job and it’s been useful to test it with different attachments, such as the hammer, which is only required occasionally to break up rock. The monitor is also useful for checking information and the rear-view camera is ideal.
“The two machines are working well together and they have proved to be a strong combination for this job. They can operate in restricted areas and there is enough power when we need it.”
