Hitachi calls its new ZX210LC-6 HP excavator a ‘beast’

Playfully called a 'beast,' the Hitachi ZX210LC-6 HP features one-of-a-kind triple-pump hydraulics and some beefy body upgrades

Contractors looking for an excavator offering faster, stronger and more precise response, Hitachi brings you the 163-hp, 50,265-lb. ZX210LC-6 HP with features designed for heavy-duty operation.

Most noteworthy of those features is the exclusive TRIAS II hydraulic system with three pumps to supply just the right amount of oil to exactly where it’s needed.

In its first press briefing since the end of its decades-long manufacturing and marketing joint venture with John Deere, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. (HCMA) introduced its first excavators for the North American market. In addition to the ZX210LC-6 HP, the company also debuted the ZX26U-5N and ZX50U-5N compact excavators. (Stay tuned for details on those models.)

Rob Orlowski, director, product management & engineering, sales for Hitachi, called the ZX210LC-6 HP a “gamechanger” and a “beast” due to its one-of-a-kind triple-pump hydraulics and some beefy body upgrades.

“I’m so in awe of the performance of this machine,” he said. “Those three different pumps allow the machine to modulate how much oil is going where, so you really get that smooth, intricate movement of the bucket on the ground when you need it. You also get faster cycle times and better breakout force.

“It’s got all that power and all that performance and fuel savings because you’re using the oil the best way you can,” he said.

High Power and ECO modes tailor performance to the work

Thanks to the TRIAS II hydraulic system, high-power HP Mode is able to increase engine speed and hydraulic-pump output torque when extra speed and/or

The exclusive TRIAS II hydraulic system with three pumps supplies just the right amount of oil to exactly where it’s needed

heavy-duty work is required. The front attachment moves faster because each actuator has its own pump. The oil flows separately to the bucket, arm and boom cylinders.

The previous generation machine used two hydraulic pumps. The TRIAS II hydraulic system is an improvement with three pumps that are controlled electrically for precise oil flow for sensitive front attachment control and lower fuel consumption.

The TRIAS II technology minimizes hydraulic system losses by reducing the hydraulic oil returned to the tank. This helps lower fuel consumption in ECO mode with the same productivity.

“You’re using the oil in the right place at the right time, so it cuts down on your fuel consumption,” Orlowski explained.

ECO mode is ideal for owners who are focused on fuel savings or who often work under lighter conditions. 

Orlowski explained there’s often concern about working in lighter conditions with machines that use a DPF because those circumstances can sometimes lead to a clogged filter.

“We don’t have a DPF, so our excavator can hold up and keep going without issues where other machines can’t,” he said.

Maximum use of hydraulic power

To help drive performance, the ZX210LC-6 HP also includes an arm recirculation cancellation system for increased speed when rolling the arm in. The system allows pressurized oil in the arm cylinder rod side to flow to the arm cylinder bottom side for increased arm roll-in speed when the load is relatively low. A hydraulic boost system increases arm speed.

During arm roll-in and boom-raising operations, excessive pressurized oil in the boom rod flows to the arm cylinder bottom side to achieve speedy arm operation by increased flow. An enhanced boom recirculation system circulates pressurized oil in the bottom of the boom cylinder when lowering the boom, allowing pressurized oil from the pump to be efficiently used by the arm.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. (HCMA) hosted a press briefing outside of Atlanta to introduce the first excavators available to North America post its decades-long joint venture with John Deere. Shown here are members of the HCMA team, including engineers responsible for the design of the new machines

The ZX210LC-6 HP offers increased attachment versatility. Two extra spools in the control valve make it easier to install attachments that require large volumes of oil for multiple functions and on models that have two-piece booms.

Heavier construction for more power 

The ZX210LC-6 HP features a counterweight that’s 14% heavier than previous models. This allows the new heavy-duty boom to have greater lift capacity.

“When you take the heavier counterweight plus the heavier boom, you get up to 10% more lift capacity,” Orlowski said.

Further to heavy-duty performance, the durability of the undercarriage has been enhanced with increased crossbeam size and strength. The shape of the lower roller has been changed to prevent mud from entering it and causing damage to the oil seal.

The sliding surface of the bearing part that supports the front idler has been significantly enlarged, improving its wear resistance. In addition, the front idler and adjuster cylinder have been integrated in the new ZAXIS series excavators, improving their durability.

Powered by Isuzu

The ZX210LC-6 HP is powered by the proven Isuzu four-cylinder engine that provides a net 163.6 HP and features a variable geometry turbocharger that delivers an optimum quantity of air to the combustion chamber under all the engine’s operating ranges. An electronically controlled common-rail fuel injection system delivers a precise quantity of pressurized fuel to achieve efficient combustion and reduce fuel consumption. 

The engine uses an electronic governor to maintain a constant speed despite changes to the load. This can reduce fuel consumption and sound output in no-load and light-duty operations. An engine warm-up system automatically increases engine speed in cold weather to quickly warm up the hydraulic oil and coolant to the proper temperature.

“The point we’re trying to make is this machine is a beast,” Orlowski said. “We’ve given it more performance and we beefed up the machine to handle that performance.”