MB Surfacing take UK’s first Volvo P6870C paver

New wheeled paver proves a success for Essex-based surfacing contractor

MB Surfacing have taken delivery of the first Volvo P6870C wheeled paver in the UK. The new machine was chosen primarily for the excellent Volvo CE after-sales support and service provided for the contractor’s existing ABG 6870 paver.

‘We have been certainly impressed with the performance, reliability and quality of our existing 6870,’ said MB Surfacing’s managing director, Martin Bell. ‘Careful consideration was given to the overall package from Volvo, including not only the new machine, but also the aftermarket product support.

‘My operating crews appreciate the machine’s low noise levels, manoeuvrability and easy-to-use controls. Underpinning all of that is the excellent level of service support we get from the team at Volvo, which is why we’ve decided to add the latest wheeled paver to our fleet.’

MB Surfacing will also benefit from significant improvements introduced on the P6870C, with up to 30% fuel savings and a further reduction in noise on and around the machine bringing it down to 79dB(a) – an important benefit for the company that specializes in local authority, urban and private contracts, as well as contracting to larger road builders throughout Essex and East Anglia.

The new P6870C wheeled paver maintains many of the features originally introduced on the ABG 6870, such as continuous independent traction control over all six wheels.

Now powered by a Stage IIIB-compliant Volvo D6 Stage engine (175hp), the P6870C is further enhanced with EPM II – an electronic paver-management system that includes a ‘Settings Management’ feature, allowing the operator to store up to 12 parameter settings for major functions (eg screed temperature, tamping vibrating, conveyor, paving speeds etc).

The machine also retains features such as ‘Smart Power’, offering optimum power for the job in hand, together with 6x6 ‘Smart Drive’ technology for superior traction. Even on the most difficult bases, tractive forces are automatically adjusted according to the weight of material in the machine’s 12-tonne capacity hopper.

As an added safety feature, MB Surfacing have specified traction isolator switches, which are mounted on either side of the hopper. In the event of an emergency or an operator working in front of the machine, the isolator switches will de-activate propulsion of the machine with a warning shown on the EPM display.

The P6870C paver demonstrates a high degree of manoeuvrability thanks to its ‘Active Steering’ feature with an inside turning radius of just 2.5m.

Screed performance is a distinct feature on all Volvo pavers. The P6870C has a variable screed width of between 2.5m and 5.0m in standard configuration but can be fitted with optional extensions to provide widths up to 9.0m. The paver offers an output of up to 700 tonnes/h at varying screed widths and depths.

Operator comfort and user-friendliness are also key factors for MB Surfacing’s road crews. For example, the steering wheel – which allows for particularly sensitive control of the machine – can be placed in various positions around the EPM II control panel.

The rigid all-weather roof can be manually lowered along with the exhaust pipe for transportation. The roof features fibre extensions that can easily be extended or retracted as required. For night-time working, Xenon lighting and optional reversing pulse lights have been provided to assist the operators.