Four SDLG excavators ? three E660FL and an E6500F ? helped expedite construction of two hospitals in Wuhan, China, as part of the government?s effort to treat patients with coronavirus infections and ease the shortage of hospital beds.

Three E660FL mini excavators were among the first machines onsite at the Huoshenshan Hospital construction site. Wuhan-based Guolei Construction Engineering Co deployed the three machines to the site in response to the government?s call for construction support.

?Fortunately we had excavators around Wuhan, so I thought as long as I can afford to pay my operators, ensure they are safe, have a place to rest and eat, then it?s the least I could do to help,? said Dong Guoqiao, Owner of Guolei Construction Engineering Co. ?It was an emergency situation, so we didn?t even discuss payment. As a Wuhan citizen I am just glad that I can offer support wherever I can.?

The three 6 t-rated E660FL mini excavators were on standby 24/7 and were used in areas inaccessible to larger machines to clear debris and provide general construction support. Powered by a 38.3 kW engine, the mini excavators have a bucket capacity of 0.22 cu m.

Dong says he was grateful that his local SDLG dealer delivered extra keys to the construction site so his operators could start the machines.

Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, has been on lock down since January 23, as part of the government?s effort to quarantine the epicentre of the coronavirus, which is also known as 2019-nCoV.

Over in another part of Wuhan, a 50 t-rated E6500F excavator worked 48 hours nonstop alongside other excavators to support the construction of the Leishenshan Hospital, which is expected to have 1,600 beds.

Operator Huxin, who owns the E6500F, responded to the government?s call for operators on January 26 and worked on the second hospital site for two days straight. Huxin says the construction site initially only had some 2,500 workers but more arrived over the following days to lend their support.

Powered by a 245 kW engine, the E6500F has a bucket capacity of 2.8 cu m and was used to break ground on the Leishenshan Hospital site, which sits on a former parking lot. After working nonstop for 48 hours, Huxin is now back home safe and has quarantined himself as he monitors his temperature for signs of the coronavirus.

In addition to local Wuhan operators contributing their efforts, SDLG has also donated and delivered supplies to the city.