BT Jenkins opt for Volvo once again

Devon-based earthmoving contractor adds two new EC220E excavators to existing mixed fleet

EARTHMOVING and plant hire contractors BT Jenkins of Clyst St Mary, near Exeter, have opted for a brace of Volvo EC220E crawler excavators for its fleet of equipment, continuing a long tradition of operating Volvo Construction Equipment products.

The new Tier IV-compliant EC220Es join a mixed fleet of equipment which includes Volvo excavators, compact excavators and dumptrucks. After-sales support and backup along with the reliability of the products themselves, together with a strong influence from the company’s machine operators, prompted BT Jenkins to opt for Volvo once again.

‘We really cannot fault Volvo for their backup, the productivity of their excavator product, good fuel economy and high residual values,’ commented contracts director Russell Lowton.

‘In addition, it’s important our operators have a say in what we invest in and they certainly appreciate the comfort and performance of the Volvo machines. Ultimately, the package on offer made choosing the new EC220Es an easy decision,’ he continued.

Powered by a six-cylinder Volvo engine developing 174hp, the EC220E is said to offer the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication.

For example, pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, while maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque. And when Eco mode is selected the machine provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions.

The Volvo Care Cab offers a large roomy interior with plenty of leg room and foot space for the operator, with excellent all-round visibility enhanced by pressurized and filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent climate-control system. An adjustable, easy-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real-time information on the machine functions, important diagnostic information and a wide variety of work tool settings. The monitor also doubles as a monitor for the rear-view camera.

Both machines have been supplied to BT Jenkins with full ‘boxing ring’ style hand rails mounted on the superstructure.

In addition, monitoring of the machine’s vital functions and whereabouts is made easy thanks to Volvo’s CareTrack telematics system, which is fitted as standard on these latest additions, and, in the opinion of Russell Lowton, is an important innovative feature for managing BT Jenkins’ plant fleet. 'CareTrack provides operational data remotely via the Internet, including fuel consumption and idle time, all helping to reduce cost of ownership and maximize utilization,' he said.