New Volvo EC220E excavator for Cheshire training academy

SLL Plant purchase 22-tonne machine for operator training and plant hire duties

SANDBACH-based SLL Plant and Quarry Training Services have taken delivery of a new Volvo EC220E crawler excavator, following the company’s previous good experiences in running Volvo construction machinery, according to Stephen Lidford, owner of the plant hire/training business.

‘Having operated Volvo equipment many years for a large plant and civil engineering company in the north-west and owning two previous 21-tonne Volvo excavators myself, I know the product very well,’ said Mr Lidford. ‘Product reliability is key along with good backup and support, which were the reasons I didn’t hesitate in replacing my existing machine with another Volvo machine.’

The Tier IV-compliant EC220E excavator will have a dual role at SLL, where Mr Lidford uses it for his plant operator-training academy as well as having plans to hire the machine on a long-term contract to a sand extraction business based in Sandbach.

The machine features a number of working modes and is powered by a six-cylinder Volvo engine that delivers 174hp. Pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, while maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque. Eco mode provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions.

Mr Lidford has also been impressed by the enhancements in the operator compartment. ‘I really like the simplicity of the controls, the enlarged information LCD colour monitor and ease of using buttons and switches,’ he said. ‘The cab has excellent visibility, a climate control system and introducing Bluetooth is an inspired idea for aiding the operator during work.’

The EC220E excavator will be serviced and maintained by Volvo service engineers under the blue service agreement. In addition, the machine has full driveline warranty and is on Volvo Finance.

Mr Lidford concluded: ‘The package was right; I know the aftersales support will be there and using Volvo Financial Services to acquire the machine was an easy process for us. When it’s time to trade the machine in I have the added assurance of a high resale value.’