Coleman & Company add UK’s first short radius ECR305C excavators to their fleet

Volvo excavators used to simplify the demolition of complex structures

As one of the UK’s leading specialist demolition companies working throughout the UK, Coleman & Company strives to stay one-step ahead when it comes to safety, productivity and industry best practice.

And collaborative working with machinery manufacturers has allowed the company to develop its own unique capabilities – just like those it has recently unleashed using a pair of Volvo ECR305C short radius excavators to simplify the demolition of complex structures.

Mark Coleman, managing director, said: ‘The ECR305C’s have proved much easier to use in jobs where we would normally have used the larger EC360C model. In demolition specification, with cab guards and body protection, our ECR305C models are unbelievably stable.’

Previously, Mark Coleman says it was hard to determine a suitable role for such a large, short radius machine, but adds that their role in the recent deconstruction of gas holders, where space has proved to be a luxury, has been invaluable.
   
‘We were able to use a crane and lower the ECR’s into site – in an environment where a larger EC360C simply wouldn’t fit,’ he said. ‘And with such a high power to weight ratio, we have been able to use the EC360’s attachments on this short radius machine to take full advantage of its much smaller footprint.’

Dismantling the circular gas holders from the inside, Coleman & Company were able to position the ECR305 with its rear against the circumference of the structure, while safely reaching across to the opposite side to maximize the efficiency of the demolition process.

The result has been high productivity and immense stability, which has exceeded Mark Coleman’s expectations considering the compact dimensions of the excavators.

‘Because the ECR305C’s can handle the same attachments as our EC360s, we can maintain our efficiency using much smaller, more manoeuvrable kit. It’s very impressive and fits neatly with our philosophy of being a specialist demolition contractor that provides innovative solutions for our clients,’ he said.

The EC305C rewrites the rules on short radius excavator design. As the third and largest model in the ECR range, it offers best in-class lifting capacity, stability, digging force and fine control. On 800mm tracks, the upper structure swings outside its own track width by just 80mm.

Operating weight extends from 33.7-37.4 tonnes depending on specification, with power supplied by a Volvo D7E 195hp Stage 3A emissions-compliant, fuel efficiency engine with Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology.

The ECR305Cs are part of a six-machine deal that also includes EW160C, EC210LC and EC380D models, giving Coleman & Company a fleet of 12 Volvo machines that also includes dumptrucks and wheeled loaders.

Volvo’s Caretrack monitoring system has been specified for the six new machines, allowing Mark Coleman to manage and extract yet more operating efficiency from his plant and equipment.

‘As a company, we spend around £1.4m on diesel every year, and the arrival of more modern and fuel efficient equipment will help us to reduce this significant cost while helping to reduce our carbon footprint,’ he added.

With a business built on reputation, Coleman & Company specialize in complex projects within high risk environments. The firm is also capable of recovering up to 97% of materials from demolition projects, having recently invested £6m in redeveloping its urban quarry at Shady Lane in Birmingham, the business’ headquarters.

‘We have developed a much more engineered focus on our business activities to ensure we deliver the most sympathetic approach for the most sensitive of projects for our clients,’ he said. ‘And we expect the same level of service from our suppliers, and Volvo does not disappoint.’

‘I am very pleased with the service, support and quality that Volvo provides. First impressions also count and these new models simply look right for our business. They are very well engineered, properly designed and well-built – which is just what we seek for the solutions we provide to the demolition sector.’

2012 also marks a significant milestone for Coleman & Company, as the firm celebrates its half centenary. To celebrate, members of staff have been swapping hard hats for running shoes to achieve the Triple 50 – a charity fund raising activity started by Coleman & Company with a target of raising £50,000 for Birmingham-based charities by running 50 miles to celebrate 50 years of business.