James River Equipment was named the authorized Hitachi dealer Sept. 10 for North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

It now offers Hitachi excavators and mini-excavators, as well as front shovel and rigid-train trucks used for mining applications.

Terry Thomas, the general manager of the Charlotte branch, said the move allows James River to offer more machines to its current customers and allow them an option when they are excavator shopping.

“Hitachi is well respected and a well-accepted product, so we’re happy to have it,” Thomas said.

James River already offers some mining equipment from John Deere, but, with the addition of Hitachi, it is now able to offer all of the staple pieces of equipment needed at a mine or a quarry — trucks, shovels and wheel loaders.

Thomas said Hitachi machines run on fuel-efficient Isuzu engines and have a history of a low number of warranty claims.

James River Equipment has 20 locations throughout the three state area. CEG Staff