Fastsource take on another Volvo machine

Demolition firm strengthens equipment fleet with new 30-tonne EC300E excavator

WAKEFIELD-based Fastsource Ltd, specialists in earthworks, demolition, remediation and the supply of aggregates, have taken delivery of a new Volvo EC300E excavator, which now becomes the company’s prime mover on bulk muck-shifting contracts. 

According to Fastsource director, Keith Blasket, he had no hesitation in purchasing the latest machine, which joins a strong mixed fleet of equipment, including Volvo excavators, dozers, wheel loaders and other branded crushing and screening units.

‘In all honesty, we consider the Volvo excavator to be the best on the market having run 21-tonne machines and the D-series EC300,’ said Mr Blasket. ‘In addition, we receive excellent support when we need it, so if the new EC300E, with the added enhancements and additional operator comfort is as good as the old one, we’ll be more than pleased with it.’

Supporting Fastsource’s activities in the construction materials market is a bespoke recycling centre (based in Wakefield), which recycles aggregate, inert non-hazardous soils and hardcore to produce general bulk fills and recycled Type 1 material.

‘We have the expertise to carry out bulk muck-shifting projects and, where necessary, offer a comprehensive remediation service,’ commented Mr Blasket. ‘We also recycle and reuse material for large infrastructure sites for the commercial and private sectors. The 30-tonne excavator is the optimum prime mover for a typical project we undertake. It’s big enough for mass bulk excavations but equally capable of carrying out more precise profiling operations as well.’

The EC300E machine, powered by a Stage IV-compliant engine that develops 243hp, features a Trimble grade control GPS system that has improved Fastsource’s operations. ‘We trialed this initially on one of Volvo EC220’s with great success so we’ve opted to install it on the EC300E as well,’ continued Mr Blasket.

‘The system has been a real boon to our operations and has basically halved the time it takes to carry out cut-and-fill excavations. It simply allows the operator to profile ‘on the go’ and negates the need for a surveyor to be permanently on site marking the job out. It’s taken some getting used to and, of course, our operators still need to use common sense when tailing off profiles, but it’s certainly the way forward for us.’

Fastsource operators also benefit from the Volvo Care Cab which offers a large roomy interior with plenty of leg room/foot space and an optional heavy-duty display screen – essential for demolition duties. As with all Volvo excavators (up to 50 tonnes), the EC300E excavator comes with hose rupture valves on both the boom and dipper cylinders, along with a hammer/shear circuit as standard.