Hitachi ZX470 — The 47-Ton Japanese Production Loader That Moves More Per Litre 🟠⛏️
YUANJIAN MachineryAll news
If the Cat 340D2L is the quarry boss and the PC360-7 is the earthwork specialist, then the Hitachi ZX470 is the smooth operator of the 45–50 ton class — the machine that loads trucks all day, sips fuel, and never fights the operator.
Built on Hitachi’s ZAXIS platform with an Isuzu 6WG1 heart and HIOS III/IV load-sensing hydraulics, the ZX470 is one of the most balanced large crawlers ever made for quarry loading, mining overburden, dam work, deep foundations, and port bulk handling.
This is the full Shopify-style listing for a used / refurbished Hitachi ZX470 (ZX470LC-3 / -5G / -6).
1. What the ZX470 Actually Is
The ZX470 sits in the 46.8–50.2 t class depending on undercarriage and boom config.
Core identity:
- Operating weight: 46,800–50,260 kg (LC / LCH variants)
- Engine: Isuzu AA-6WG1TQA / 6UZ1, 6-cyl turbo diesel
- Power: 235 kW / 315 hp (up to 270 kW on -6 series)
- Displacement: 15.68 L
- Bucket: 2.1 m³ standard (1.15–3.2 m³ options)
- Breakout force: ~286 kN bucket / 244 kN arm
- Dig depth: 7.89 m (up to 9.1 m on long-arm -6)
- Reach: 12.06 m
- Hydraulics: HIOS III-B/IV, 2× ~360 L/min, 34.3 MPa
- Fuel tank: 705 L
- Travel: 3.8 / 5.1 km/h, 9.0 rpm swing, 329 kN traction
Tier 2 / Tier 3 simplicity — no DPF/DEF headache, ideal for export markets.
2. Why the ZX470 Punches Above Its Weight
✅ Isuzu 6WG1 — Bulletproof Power
The 6WG1 is a 15.7 L inline-six legend:
- 235 kW with strong low-end torque (1,275 N·m)
- tolerant of variable diesel quality
- global Isuzu/Hitachi parts pipeline
- simpler than Tier 4 Final — no SCR, no particulate regen
It’s not the most aggressive engine in the 50-ton class, but it’s one of the most durable per litre burned.
✅ HIOS Hydraulics = Silky + Fast
Hitachi’s HIOS (Human-Intelligent Operating System) load-sensing:
- boom-up + arm-in + swing combine without bog
- regenerative boom circuit = faster cycle
- low standby loss = better fuel economy
- operator fatigue drops, production goes up
Field feedback: ZX470 often beats heavier competitors on cycle time in truck loading because the hydraulics are so well matched to the pump.
✅ LC Undercarriage = Stability
Long-carriage (LC) version:
- wide track gauge (~2,740 mm)
- 600 mm std / 750 mm optional pads
- stable on stockpiles, slopes, wet ground
- 3,670 mm rear swing radius (still manageable on site)
3. Jobs the ZX470 Owns
🪨 Quarry face loading — 2.1–2.4 m³ rock bucket, blast cleanup
🚛 30–45 t truck loading — 3–5 passes on a 30-tonner
⛏ Mining overburden / ore — swing-out, stockpile, bench work
🏗 Deep foundations / pits — 7.9 m dig, long reach
🛣 Dams / canals / levees — high lift, slope finishing
🏝 Port / bulk terminal — coal, iron ore, aggregates, barge load
♻ Waste & slag — grapple-ready, stable on fill
🏚 Heavy demolition — breaker-ready, reinforced arm option
If you’re running 30-ton articulated trucks or 45-ton rigid trucks, the ZX470 is the sweet spot — bigger than a 340, not as thirsty as a 349.
4. ZX470 vs The 45–50 Ton Neighbours
|
Model
|
Weight
|
Power
|
Bucket
|
Why ZX470 wins / loses
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cat 349D2 / 349E
|
45–49 t
|
301–396 hp
|
2.4–3.5 m³
|
Cat has more brute force & resale; ZX470 wins on fuel + hydraulic smoothness
|
|
Komatsu PC450-7/10
|
45–47 t
|
257–345 hp
|
1.9–2.7 m³
|
PC450 stronger in hard rock; ZX470 better cycle feel & Isuzu parts
|
|
Hitachi ZX470
|
47 t
|
235–270 kW
|
2.1–3.2 m³
|
Best all-rounder, best fuel/hr, smooth operator cab
|
|
SANY SY485H
|
49 t
|
~400 hp
|
2.2–3.1 m³
|
Cheaper new; ZX470 holds resale + proven 10k-hr durability
|
|
Cat 340D2L
|
41 t
|
208 kW
|
1.9–2.4 m³
|
340 is lighter/cheaper; ZX470 steps up bucket size
|
Rule:
Hard-rock pit with 45t trucks → 349 / PC450
Mixed quarry + civil + port → ZX470
Tight budget, max bucket → SY485 (but watch resale)
5. Refurbished / Inspected Stock — What We Check
For every used ZX470 we prepare:
✅ Engine — cold start, blow-by, turbo play, injector balance, coolant sample, no milky oil
✅ Hydraulics — pump flow test, HIOS valve response, cylinder drift, hose/seal leak-check
✅ Swing & travel — motor temp, bearing play, final-drive seal, track slack
✅ Structure — boom root, arm behind cylinder, carbody dye-check for hidden welds
✅ Undercarriage — 600/750 mm pads, link stretch, roller/idler/sprocket grading
✅ Cab — ROPS/FOPS, A/C, LCD monitor, camera, seat, glass
✅ Docs — serial prefix, variant (LC/LCH/BE), hour-meter consistency, Japan-import papers if applicable
✅ Video — cold start + dig + load + swing + travel + leak close-ups
We don’t paint over cracks. We send proof.
6. Attachments
- 2.1 m³ GP bucket (std)
- 2.4–2.65 m³ rock bucket (HD wear package)
- 1.5–1.8 m³ trench / deep-dig bucket
- Hydraulic thumb
- 155–175 mm breaker (aux lines pre-installed on most ZX470)
- Grapple (wood/scrap/bulk)
- Ripper / frost tool
- Long-reach arm conversion on request
7. Running Cost Reality
- Fuel: ~22–30 L/h in loading cycles (often 2–3 L/h less than 349 in same duty)
- Tracks: 600 mm std, 750 mm for soft ground
- Hyd oil: ~510 L system, 310 L tank
- Transport: low-bed required, disassembly for container possible
- Resale: Hitachi 45t holds value strongly in Africa / Mideast / CIS / SEA
- Parts: Isuzu + Hitachi global network, cheaper than Cat 349 over 5 years
8. Who Should Buy a ZX470
✅ Quarry & aggregate producers
✅ Mining contractors (overburden, ore, stockpile)
✅ Dam / irrigation / canal builders
✅ Port & bulk-terminal operators
✅ Heavy civil & highway contractors
✅ Rental yards serving 45t+ clients
✅ Equipment dealers wanting fast-resale Japanese large excavator
✅ Owners stepping up from 340D2L / PC360 who need more bucket without 349 cost
Not for:
❌ Urban tight-access (it’s a 47t crawler)
❌ Pure hard-rock face without blast (PC450/349 better)
❌ Stage V/DPF-mandated tenders (this is Tier 2/3)
9. Spec Snapshot (Engineer-Friendly)
|
Item
|
Hitachi ZX470LC-5G
|
|---|---|
|
Operating weight
|
46,800–47,900 kg
|
|
Engine
|
Isuzu AA-6WG1TQA, 15.68 L, 6-cyl turbo
|
|
Power
|
235 kW / 315 hp @ 1,800 rpm
|
|
Bucket
|
2.1 m³ std (1.15–3.2 m³ opt)
|
|
Bucket force
|
286 kN (ISO)
|
|
Arm force
|
244 kN
|
|
Dig depth
|
7,890 mm
|
|
Reach
|
12,060 mm
|
|
Dump height
|
7,530 mm
|
|
Hydraulics
|
HIOS III-B, 2×360 L/min, 34.3 MPa
|
|
Swing
|
9.0 rpm
|
|
Travel
|
3.8 / 5.1 km/h
|
|
Traction
|
329 kN
|
|
Tracks
|
600 mm std / 750 mm opt
|
|
Fuel / Hyd
|
705 L / 510 L system
|
10. Why a ZX470 + 340D2L Combo Works
- 340D2L → aggressive rock loading, Cat-branded tenders, 30t trucks
- ZX470 → smooth high-cycle loading, fuel efficiency, 45t trucks, civil/port work
- One Isuzu/Cat parts logic, two different hydraulic philosophies
- Cover 40t and 50t contracts without buying a 60t monster
11. Bottom Line
The Hitachi ZX470 is the most underrated 47-tonner in the used-export world:
- Isuzu 6WG1 power, no emissions complexity
- HIOS hydraulics that feel better than machines 5 t heavier
- 2.1–3.2 m³ bucket range, 286 kN breakout
- 7.9 m dig, 12 m reach
- 22–30 L/h real fuel burn
- Japan-build durability, global parts, strong resale
It’s not the most violent machine in the pit.
It’s the one still loading trucks at hour 9 while the others are overheating.
340D2L is the muscle. ZX470 is the marathon runner. Most fleets need both.
📩 ZX470 Stock Inquiry
Tell us:
- Variant: ZX470LC-3 / 5G / 6 / LCH?
- Bucket: 2.1 GP / 2.4 rock / 3.2 HE?
- Breaker lines + thumb?
- Undercarriage: 600 / 750 mm?
- Original paint or refurbished?
- Destination port → FOB or CIF?
We send:
✅ Cold-start + load-test video
✅ Serial / hour-meter / 6WG1 health report
✅ Undercarriage % + hydraulic pressure sheet
✅ Refurbish record (if applicable)
✅ FOB Qingdao/Shanghai or CIF quote
📞 WhatsApp / WeChat: +86 138 6666 6316
📧 Email: yuanjianltd@163.com
🌐 Website: https://www.cnusedexcavator.com
Yard: Hefei, Anhui, China
Status: Inspected, serviced, container-ready.
📧 Email: yuanjianltd@163.com
🌐 Website: https://www.cnusedexcavator.com
Yard: Hefei, Anhui, China
Status: Inspected, serviced, container-ready.
Hitachi ZX470 — 47 tons of Japanese precision, built to load more, burn less, and run for 10,000 hours. 🟠⛏️