New Volvo EC250D for Tulloch Developments
Civil engineering firm takes delivery of 25-tonne machine for prime mover duties at Staney Hill Quarry
TULLOCH Developments Ltd of Lerwick, Shetland, have recently taken delivery of a new Volvo EC250D excavator which has commenced duties as the prime mover at the company’s Staney Hill Quarry on the outskirts of Shetland’s capital.
According to project manager Shaun Tulloch, the 25-tonne EC250D was selected due to operator preference and comfort, its smooth performance, and the expectation of significant fuel savings based on experience of the company’s three 14-tonne Volvo EC140D’s purchased in March 2013 for contracts supplying plant, equipment and material to the oil and gas industries at Sullom Voe.
Acting as the prime mover in Staney Hill Quarry, the new EC250D is proving to be well on top of the job of loading the resident mobile crusher. ‘So far we’ve been very pleased with its performance and already we are starting to see some significant fuel savings over the machine it replaces,’ said Mr Tulloch.
At the heart of the EC250D machine is a six-litre Stage IIIB engine that develops 202hp and operates in conjunction with an advanced mode-control system to ensure the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed under varying load conditions.
Maximum reach with the intermediate dipper arm is 10.7m, while maximum digging depth is 7.34m and lifting capacity at full reach is 3.16 tonnes.
Quarrying is just one facet of Tulloch Development’s business interests on Shetland. The civil engineering business undertakes a wide variety of works and projects, such as industrial construction, pipelines, harbour reconstruction and development, and plant hire.
In particular, Tulloch concentrate on harbour and port development in Lerwick and other ports on Shetland, as well as long-term contracts at the Sullom Voe oil and gas plant. To support their various activities, the company invested in three 14-tonne Volvo EC140D’s in the spring of last year.
The overall performance and acceptance of the EC140D’s by Tulloch’s machine operators acted as the catalyst for the latest acquisition. ‘We’ve found the 14 tonner to be a good all-rounder for general contracting work,’ said Mr Tulloch.
Tulloch Developments also provide equipment to Shetland Council and specifically purchased an ECR48C reduced-swing compact excavator in 2013, while a larger Volvo ECR88D is on order for delivery in March 2014.
The recent Volvo additions join a mixed fleet of equipment in Tulloch’s portfolio, which includes excavators up to 36 tonnes, a variety of loading shovels, and other equipment such as telehandlers and rollers. The family-run company, which employs around 65 permanent staff, also operates a fleet of eight tipper lorries, two articulated lorries, lorry-mounted concrete pumps, and asphalt pavers.
