First Volvo L350F wheel loader delivered in UK
Ennstone Thistle Ltd have taken delivery of the UK’s first Volvo L350F wheel loader for use at their Ethiebeaton Quarry, near Dundee. The deal for the machine was struck at this year’s Hillhead exhibition, where the L350F made its UK debut.
Weighing 52 tonnes, the new wheel loader replaces a four-year-old L330E and has been specially customized with tyre chains, a central lubrication system and a 6.2m3 spade-nosed rock bucket to handle the abrasive nature of the blasted whinstone being extracted at the quarry.
The L350F is the largest wheel loader manufactured by Volvo CE to date, and is said to offer higher productivity while delivering greater fuel efficiency than the outgoing L330E model. These improvements in performance have been made possible thanks to the wheel loader’s 535hp Volvo D16E engine (offering maximum torque at 1,400 rev/min), stronger hydraulics, new axles and enhanced transmission with lock-up capability.
The driver’s environment has also been upgraded, providing greater comfort, improved controls and better visibility. As a result, operator fatigue is reduced and, more importantly, the safe operation of the machine has improved. The L350F, for example, is fitted with convex mirrors, a rear-view camera and an Ogden VMS automatic braking system in addition to the standard reverse alarm.
The wheel loader’s larger Volvo Care Cab provides the operator with a more spacious air-conditioned interior, which is insulated from noise, dust and vibrations, the latter thanks to viscous cab mounts and an air-suspended seat.
The recently delivered L350F is being put to the test at Ethiebeaton Quarry, where it is capable of producing in excess of 350 tonnes/h over a five-and-a-half day week. After operating the latest Volvo wheel loader, Ennstone’s machine operators have clearly found a marked improvement in performance over the company’s old L330E, citing the lock-up feature as the key benefit of the HTE400, the latest transmission from Volvo.
Another recipient of Volvo machines is Marshalls, who have recently taken delivery of a new 70-tonne EC700BLC hydraulic excavator for the excavation of stone blocks at their Scout Moor Quarry, at Ramsbottom, near Bury.
The excavator, which has been supplied in mass-excavation configuration, is being used to extricate sandstone blocks from situ to produce an anticipated 400,000 tonnes of material per annum.
The EC700B is equipped with a 6.6m mass excavation boom and 2.9m dipper arm so that it can perform the primary duty of ripping the un-blasted sandstone and, secondly, handle top lift material for crushed aggregates. To ensure that the machine is quickly configured for either task, a Miller Bug Coupler has been fitted to pick up a heavy-duty ripper tooth or a Miller extreme rock bucket. The excavator has a stable platform to work on, as it is equipped with 600mm track pads on its extendable undercarriage.
As Volvo’s biggest and heaviest excavator, the EC700B is equipped with the largest engine in its class – the 16-litre Tier III-compliant D16C EAE3 – developing 464hp at 1,800 rev/min. With 374kN of breakout force, the machine is already proving to be more productive and economical than the 85-tonne machine previously used at the site.
The stone blocks destined for Marshall’s saw mills are not ‘popped’ to ease extraction. Instead, the operator has to use the breakout force of the EC700B to work on the natural jointing and bedding plains found in the rock. This maximizes the usability of the material, which ultimately becomes premium stone products for prestigious developments across the country.
‘When we evaluated the marketplace for a replacement machine we wanted to reduce the overall operational costs associated with extracting the optimum size of material for our needs,’ explained Richard Clemmey, Marshall’s operations manager for aggregates. ‘In every respect the EC700B appeared to be equal or better on specification and, coupled to the overall package on offer, it made complete sense to opt for the Volvo.’
A number of new safety features have been added to the excavator, including safety rails mounted on the top of the superstructure, a dual close-circuit camera system, and red and white chevron markings on the counterweight. A Caretrack advanced system has also been installed to monitor the machine’s vital functions.
Another important factor in Marshall’s decision to purchase the EC700B was the machine’s three-year, 6,000h full repair and maintenance package (Volvo’s gold service agreement package). ‘Knowing your monthly fixed costs in this sort of application is a real benefit when it comes to forecasting and budgeting,’ said Mr Clemmey.
Volvo CE Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX; tel: (01223) 251720; fax: (01223) 832799; email; website: www.volvo.co.uk
Weighing 52 tonnes, the new wheel loader replaces a four-year-old L330E and has been specially customized with tyre chains, a central lubrication system and a 6.2m3 spade-nosed rock bucket to handle the abrasive nature of the blasted whinstone being extracted at the quarry.
The L350F is the largest wheel loader manufactured by Volvo CE to date, and is said to offer higher productivity while delivering greater fuel efficiency than the outgoing L330E model. These improvements in performance have been made possible thanks to the wheel loader’s 535hp Volvo D16E engine (offering maximum torque at 1,400 rev/min), stronger hydraulics, new axles and enhanced transmission with lock-up capability.
The driver’s environment has also been upgraded, providing greater comfort, improved controls and better visibility. As a result, operator fatigue is reduced and, more importantly, the safe operation of the machine has improved. The L350F, for example, is fitted with convex mirrors, a rear-view camera and an Ogden VMS automatic braking system in addition to the standard reverse alarm.
The wheel loader’s larger Volvo Care Cab provides the operator with a more spacious air-conditioned interior, which is insulated from noise, dust and vibrations, the latter thanks to viscous cab mounts and an air-suspended seat.
The recently delivered L350F is being put to the test at Ethiebeaton Quarry, where it is capable of producing in excess of 350 tonnes/h over a five-and-a-half day week. After operating the latest Volvo wheel loader, Ennstone’s machine operators have clearly found a marked improvement in performance over the company’s old L330E, citing the lock-up feature as the key benefit of the HTE400, the latest transmission from Volvo.
Another recipient of Volvo machines is Marshalls, who have recently taken delivery of a new 70-tonne EC700BLC hydraulic excavator for the excavation of stone blocks at their Scout Moor Quarry, at Ramsbottom, near Bury.
The excavator, which has been supplied in mass-excavation configuration, is being used to extricate sandstone blocks from situ to produce an anticipated 400,000 tonnes of material per annum.
The EC700B is equipped with a 6.6m mass excavation boom and 2.9m dipper arm so that it can perform the primary duty of ripping the un-blasted sandstone and, secondly, handle top lift material for crushed aggregates. To ensure that the machine is quickly configured for either task, a Miller Bug Coupler has been fitted to pick up a heavy-duty ripper tooth or a Miller extreme rock bucket. The excavator has a stable platform to work on, as it is equipped with 600mm track pads on its extendable undercarriage.
As Volvo’s biggest and heaviest excavator, the EC700B is equipped with the largest engine in its class – the 16-litre Tier III-compliant D16C EAE3 – developing 464hp at 1,800 rev/min. With 374kN of breakout force, the machine is already proving to be more productive and economical than the 85-tonne machine previously used at the site.
The stone blocks destined for Marshall’s saw mills are not ‘popped’ to ease extraction. Instead, the operator has to use the breakout force of the EC700B to work on the natural jointing and bedding plains found in the rock. This maximizes the usability of the material, which ultimately becomes premium stone products for prestigious developments across the country.
‘When we evaluated the marketplace for a replacement machine we wanted to reduce the overall operational costs associated with extracting the optimum size of material for our needs,’ explained Richard Clemmey, Marshall’s operations manager for aggregates. ‘In every respect the EC700B appeared to be equal or better on specification and, coupled to the overall package on offer, it made complete sense to opt for the Volvo.’
A number of new safety features have been added to the excavator, including safety rails mounted on the top of the superstructure, a dual close-circuit camera system, and red and white chevron markings on the counterweight. A Caretrack advanced system has also been installed to monitor the machine’s vital functions.
Another important factor in Marshall’s decision to purchase the EC700B was the machine’s three-year, 6,000h full repair and maintenance package (Volvo’s gold service agreement package). ‘Knowing your monthly fixed costs in this sort of application is a real benefit when it comes to forecasting and budgeting,’ said Mr Clemmey.
Volvo CE Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX; tel: (01223) 251720; fax: (01223) 832799; email; website: www.volvo.co.uk
