Predictika · Construction equipment quotes: medium excavators

An AI sales agent's excavator proposal, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent proposes a Hitachi ZAXIS-7 medium excavator for a contractor's job: the model, the track shoes, the arm, the bucket, and the site and transport limits it has to fit. Before the proposal goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the tables in Hitachi's public brochure for these machines and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Hitachi ZAXIS-7 medium excavators ZX200-7 and ZX210LC-7 (monoblock boom): shoes, arms, weight, ground pressure, width, working range, bucket. See everything this validator covers

This validator models proposals for two machines, the Hitachi ZX200-7 and ZX210LC-7 (monoblock boom), using the tables in the public Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia brochure KS-EN476AU, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Machine, shoe and arm — the two models, the four shoe options (600, 700 and 800 mm triple grouser, and 600 mm reinforced triple grouser) and the two arm lengths (2.42 m and 2.91 m), and the operating weight, ground pressure and overall width each combination gives.
  • Site and transport limits — the ground pressure, operating weight and overall width the site or transport allows, and the room to swing the rear end (2,910 mm).
  • Working range — the digging reach, digging depth, cutting height and dumping height the job needs, against what the chosen arm gives.
  • Bucket and counterweight — buckets in the brochure range of 0.51 to 1.20 m3; the published weights assume a 0.80 m3 bucket and the 4,250 kg counterweight, so other buckets and the 4,850 kg counterweight go to a person for approval.
  • Stated figures — the operating weight and ground pressure the agent states are compared with the brochure on every call.

Any proposal for these two machines that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Hitachi excavator prices are dealer-quoted and not public, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), lifting capacity tables, other booms and arms, other Hitachi models, attachments and quick hitches, other options, and country-specific equipment variations.

The AI sales agentBuilds the excavator proposal from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Weight, ground pressure and width that depend on model, shoe and arm togetherOnly with care
Operating weight varies with the model, the shoe and the arm, ground pressure and width with the model and the shoe; that is a grid of figures to load and keep in step with the brochure, and a wrong cell lets a machine through that does not fit the site.		The figures are looked up from the machine, shoe and arm on every call and compared with each site limit.
A working range that follows the armOnly with care
Reach, depth, cutting height and dumping height each depend on the arm length; a rule has to read the arm and each job need together.		The arm sets the range and each need is checked against it in the same call.
Published figures that assume a standard bucket and counterweightOnly with workarounds
The brochure weights assume a 0.80 m3 bucket and a 4,250 kg counterweight; a different bucket or counterweight has to be caught by a separate rule that someone writes and maintains.		A different bucket or counterweight is flagged for approval, and a bucket outside the listed range is blocked.
Stated figures that disagree with the brochureOnly with care
The weight and ground pressure the agent states are free-entry fields; a rule can compare them with the brochure, but only if someone writes and maintains it for every combination.		The stated figures travel with the proposal and are compared with the computed ones on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the proposal is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The selected machine and shoe put 48 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 47 kPa.
2The selected machine and shoe put 45 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 44 kPa.
3The selected machine and shoe put 37 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 36 kPa.
4The selected machine and shoe put 46 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 45 kPa.
5The selected machine weighs 21300 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 21299 kg.
6The selected machine weighs 21900 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 21899 kg.
7The selected machine weighs 22600 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 22599 kg.
8The selected machine weighs 22000 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 21999 kg.
9The selected machine and shoe have an overall width of 2840 mm; the site or transport limit is 2839 mm.
10The selected machine and shoe have an overall width of 3190 mm; the site or transport limit is 3189 mm.
11The selected machine and shoe have an overall width of 2890 mm; the site or transport limit is 2889 mm.
12The job needs a digging reach of 9431 mm; the selected arm gives 9430 mm.
13The job needs a digging reach of 9921 mm; the selected arm gives 9920 mm.
14The job needs a digging depth of 6181 mm; the selected arm gives 6180 mm.
15The job needs a digging depth of 6671 mm; the selected arm gives 6670 mm.
16The job needs a cutting height of 9671 mm; the selected arm gives 9670 mm.
17The job needs a cutting height of 10041 mm; the selected arm gives 10040 mm.
18The job needs a dumping height of 6831 mm; the selected arm gives 6830 mm.
19The job needs a dumping height of 7181 mm; the selected arm gives 7180 mm.
20The site allows a swing radius of 2909 mm; the rear end of the machine swings at 2910 mm.
21The brochure weights and ground pressures include a 0.80 m3 bucket (660 kg); a person should confirm the operating weight and ground pressure with a bucket of 510 litres.
22A bucket of 509 litres is outside the 510 to 1200 litre (ISO heaped) range listed in the brochure.
23The brochure weights and ground pressures include a 0.80 m3 bucket (660 kg); a person should confirm the operating weight and ground pressure with a bucket of 1200 litres.
24A bucket of 1201 litres is outside the 510 to 1200 litre (ISO heaped) range listed in the brochure.
25The brochure lists a 4 850 kg counterweight, but the operating weights and ground pressures are published only for the 4 250 kg counterweight; a person should confirm the figures.
26The brochure weights and ground pressures include a 0.80 m3 bucket (660 kg); a person should confirm the operating weight and ground pressure with a bucket of 1000 litres.
27The quote states an operating weight of 20000 kg; the brochure gives 21300 kg for this machine, shoe and arm.
28The quote states a ground pressure of 40 kPa; the brochure gives 48 kPa for this machine and shoe.
29The selected machine and shoe put 35 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 30 kPa.
30The selected machine weighs 22600 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 22000 kg.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Soft-ground site: ZX210LC-7 on 600 mm shoes for a soft-ground site

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX210LC-7 excavator with 600 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 0.80 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,200 mm, a digging depth of 5,800 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,500 mm. The site allows up to 40 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 24,000 kg operating weight and 3,200 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 21,900 kg and a ground pressure of 40 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Ground pressure above the site limit. The selected machine and shoe put 45 kPa on the ground; the site limit is 40 kPa.
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  • Stated ground pressure does not match. The quote states a ground pressure of 40 kPa; the brochure gives 45 kPa for this machine and shoe.
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2. Soft-ground site: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX210LC-7 excavator with 800 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 0.80 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,200 mm, a digging depth of 5,800 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,500 mm. The site allows up to 40 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 24,000 kg operating weight and 3,200 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 22,600 kg and a ground pressure of 35 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Machine summary. Operating weight 22600 kg, ground pressure 35 kPa, overall width 3190 mm; the arm digs 6180 mm deep and reaches 9430 mm.
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3. Deep trench: ZX200-7 with the short arm for a deep trench

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX200-7 excavator with 700 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 0.80 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,300 mm, a digging depth of 6,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,500 mm and a dumping height of 6,500 mm. The site allows up to 45 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 24,000 kg operating weight and 3,300 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 21,700 kg and a ground pressure of 42 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Digging depth too shallow. The job needs a digging depth of 6500 mm; the selected arm gives 6180 mm.
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4. Deep trench: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX200-7 excavator with 700 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.91 m arm and a 0.80 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,300 mm, a digging depth of 6,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,500 mm and a dumping height of 6,500 mm. The site allows up to 45 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 24,000 kg operating weight and 3,300 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 21,700 kg and a ground pressure of 42 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Machine summary. Operating weight 21700 kg, ground pressure 42 kPa, overall width 2890 mm; the arm digs 6670 mm deep and reaches 9920 mm.
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5. Truck weight and width: ZX210LC-7 on 800 mm shoes with a larger bucket for a truck with weight and width limits

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX210LC-7 excavator with 800 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 1.00 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,000 mm, a digging depth of 5,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,000 mm. The site allows up to 40 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 22,000 kg operating weight and 3,000 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 22,600 kg and a ground pressure of 35 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Operating weight above the site limit. The selected machine weighs 22600 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 22000 kg.
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  • Overall width above the site limit. The selected machine and shoe have an overall width of 3190 mm; the site or transport limit is 3000 mm.
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  • Bucket other than 0.80 m3. The brochure weights and ground pressures include a 0.80 m3 bucket (660 kg); a person should confirm the operating weight and ground pressure with a bucket of 1000 litres.
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6. Truck weight and width: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX200-7 excavator with 800 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 1.00 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,000 mm, a digging depth of 5,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,000 mm. The site allows up to 40 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 22,000 kg operating weight and 3,000 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 21,900 kg and a ground pressure of 37 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Bucket other than 0.80 m3. The brochure weights and ground pressures include a 0.80 m3 bucket (660 kg); a person should confirm the operating weight and ground pressure with a bucket of 1000 litres.
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  • Machine summary. Operating weight 21900 kg, ground pressure 37 kPa, overall width 2990 mm; the arm digs 6180 mm deep and reaches 9430 mm.
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7. Truck weight and width: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Hitachi ZX200-7 excavator with 800 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 0.80 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,000 mm, a digging depth of 5,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,000 mm. The site allows up to 40 kPa ground pressure and the transport allows 22,000 kg operating weight and 3,000 mm overall width. The quote states an operating weight of 21,900 kg and a ground pressure of 37 kPa. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Machine summary. Operating weight 21900 kg, ground pressure 37 kPa, overall width 2990 mm; the arm digs 6180 mm deep and reaches 9430 mm.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent proposes a Hitachi ZAXIS-7 medium excavator for a contractor's job: the model, the track shoes, the arm, and more. Before the proposal goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the tables in Hitachi's public brochure for these machines and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote a Hitachi ZX210LC-7 excavator with 800 mm triple grouser shoes and the 2.42 m arm and a 1.00 m3 bucket. The job needs a digging reach of 9,000 mm, a digging depth of 5,500 mm, a cutting height of 9,000 mm and a dumping height of 6,000 mm. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states an operating weight of 22,600 kg and a ground pressure of 35 kPa.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with two findings and one approval, all in one answer. The selected machine weighs 22600 kg in operation; the site or transport limit is 22000 kg. The selected machine and shoe have an overall width of 3190 mm; the site or transport limit is 3000 mm.
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  6. The validator returned two blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for weight, ground pressure and width that depend on model, shoe and arm together, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the model to ZX200-7, the stated operating weight to 21,900 kg and the stated ground pressure to 37 kPa.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Not blocked, but held for a person.
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  12. The two blocking findings are cleared; one approval remains for a person: bucket other than 0.80 m3.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the bucket to 800.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  18. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.