Joe you can't possibly get away with such a bold statement on here without some more evidence!!
I am a massive Hitachi fan also, having been bought an FH 130.3 just like Jam's pictured to prevent me leaving a company.
I had just like Plantman states done my time on the Backhoe loaders and was desperate to get onto tracks.
The Hitachi was absolutely fantastic and never had a spanner on it, until I had a few days off and a lazy operator left the vandal guards off.
The result was a completely burnt out machine!!
I have owned my own Zaxis 160 by choice, but am well placed to comment on the CAT 312.
I would argue that the only area the Hitachi would get the edge on one would be Fuel Consumption.
The 312 are fairly fast machines and tremendosly strong lifters whilst being very stable with excellent floatation and super reliable.
Basically all you would want in a machine.
I totally agree the Hitachi is excellent, but surely no better!!