Hitachi's ultrashort excavator lineup has grown with the ZX345USLC-6 reduced-tail-swing excavator. The 30-metric-ton excavator provides powerful performance in congested areas, according to the company.

The ZX345USLC-6 features an exclusive three-pump hydraulic system that provides multi-function performance and the fastest cycle times in the industry. It also comes with a standard auxiliary function lever (AFL) and control, designed for precise control of all attachments, including thumbs and grapples. The lever enables the operator to precisely and easily move attachments by the “slider” on the right hand of the pilot joystick.

The excavator is equipped with a Final Tier 4 Isuzu 7.8L engine (249 hp). The engine employs cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is injected into the exhaust stream of the engine, runs through a catalyst, and turns the NOx in the exhaust into harmless water vapor and nitrogen gas. The EGR is specifically tuned to further reduce NOx (compared to EPA Interim Tier 4 engines) to meet new emission standards with minimal use of DEF. Additionally, an improved piston design allows particulate matter to be burned in cylinder, so there’s no need for a diesel particulate filter.

Maintenance for the ZX345USLC-6 is minimized with features such as side-by-side cooling cores, a standard battery disconnect switch, and ground-level access to filters. Extended service intervals help maximize uptime, and scheduled maintenance is easy to track using Hitachi’s ZXLink system, which comes standard equipped on the model.