More Volvo machines for Ashcourt Contracts
Company adds two Volvo excavators and latest soil compactor to growing equipment fleet
ASHCOURT Contracts, a division of the Hull-based Ashcourt Group, have added a Volvo EC250E, an EC250DLR and the first SD135 soil compactor in the UK to their growing equipment fleet. In total, the company has purchased 14 machines from Volvo Construction Equipment since October 2013.
The EC250E is the latest version of Volvo’s popular 25-tonne crawler excavator. Powered by a 215hp (160kW) Tier 4 Final/Stage IV emissions-compliant D8J engine, the machine boasts 1,110Nm of torque at just 1,350 rev/min.
Volvo’s ECO mode optimizes the hydraulic system to reduce flow and pressure losses without reducing performance. The machine also boasts an Eco gauge in the cab that indicates monetary fuel consumption, to help operators to maximize productivity and reduce operating costs.
‘I have always found dealing with the staff at Volvo to be a pleasure. They are always happy to help and extremely quick to respond to any queries that we have,’ said office manager Emily Summerson. ‘We order the machines with a high specification and the drivers really look after them. The residuals on the Volvos make it worthwhile.’
‘The Volvos also give us significant cost savings due to their superior fuel economy,’ added company owner Kurt Bousfield.
The EC250DLR joins a fleet that includes an EC250D, an EC380D, an EC220D plus several smaller crawler and wheeled models. The long-reach machine uses a 10.2m main boom with a 7.85m dipper arm to achieve a maximum digging depth of 14.35m and a maximum reach, at ground level, of 18.2m.
The EC250DLR was purchased specifically to meet the requirements of the firm’s own contracting division, which is tackling a growing range of civil engineering and construction jobs throughout Yorkshire and the North East.
An increase in earthmoving contracts has also led to the acquisition of the UK’s first SD135 soil compactor. This 14.4-tonne machine is powered by Volvo’s 148hp (110kW) Tier 4i/Stage IIIB D4 diesel engine.
Driving through a full hydrostatic transmission, the SD135 is said to provide powerful, efficient compaction using up to 30% less fuel than previous models, thanks to Volvo’s smart power mode.
All of Ashcourt’s Volvo equipment has been supplied with a full service contract from Volvo’s Immingham Customer Support Centre, ensuring maximum uptime and a known operating cost for the customer over the life of the machines.
‘Reliability is one of our main concerns and I can’t knock the service that Volvo provide,’ said operations manager Andy Nicholson. ‘We don’t want for anything and we’ve never had any issues with the Volvos, they just go and go.’
