New fleet of Volvo machines for Stobart Biomass Products

Carlisle-based firm places order for 18 new L120H wheel loaders to be strategically located across the UK  

STOBART Biomass Products, part of Stobart Group, have purchased a new fleet of Volvo L120H loading shovels for six key locations across Great Britain. The deal for the machines was awarded following a successful competitive tendering process. 

Dale Foster, head of vehicle sales and replacements, commented: ‘Several factors led to us opting for the Volvo loading shovels. First, the team at Volvo demonstrated good negotiating skills in formulating the final specification of the machines, coupled with a competitive, bundled offering that included a comprehensive repair and maintenance package. 

‘They were also able to present an effective cost of ownership projection over the life of the machines, which we found to be very positive. Finally, their ability to provide total support to us nationwide via their customer support centres around the country clinched the deal.’

The 18 new wheel loaders will be delivered in phases at six key biomass sites strategically located across the UK over the next 12 months. The first phase of machines has already been delivered and they are currently at work on the company’s waste wood-fuelled biomass plant at Pollington, near Doncaster.

Some of the loading shovels have been supplied with a long boom and 9.5 cubic metre high tip buckets, while others have been specified with a standard boom and slightly smaller 7.0 cubic metre buckets. Among the other features of the wheel loaders are: Goodyear RL5k tyres; reversible cooling fans; cyclone pre-cleaners; automated lubrication; automatic fire-suppression systems; and reversing aids. 

In addition to the standard reversing camera, a forward facing camera has been fitted to the roof of the cab. This supplementary aid for the operator has been added to overcome forward blind spots due to the size of the high tip bulk buckets.

The L120H model is suitably sized for carrying out a full range of duties on site. For Stobart, this includes loading hi-sided bulkers with shredded wood for biomass as well as handling incoming material made up of a diverse range of waste wood products. 

For example, the long boom version offers a dump clearance height of 4.89m under the tipped bucket lip with a generous reach of 1.8m and can easily discharge products with an optimum material density of 400kg per cubic metre into bulk trailers. 

Powered by an eight-litre Volvo engine (276hp), the L120H features energy-efficient systems, including the Volvo Eco pedal which encourages the operator to run the machine at its optimum rev/min in the engine’s torque curve.

Stobart have taken out a Volvo Gold service agreement on all 18 loading shovels, which means the fleet will be fully maintained and cared for by Volvo trained technicians using genuine OEM parts.