New Volvo EC750E excavator for Wooldridge Demolition
Surrey-based contractor uses high-reach machine to demolish derelict buildings as part of urban regeneration scheme in London
WOOLDRIDGE Demolition have taken delivery of their largest high-reach demolition excavator – an SMT GB-supplied Volvo EC750E complete with a 40m telescopic boom (supplied by Kocurek Excavators) capable of operating a 3-tonne attachment at full height.
The 102-tonne machine has been put straight to work at Woodberry Down, in London, for phase three of an urban regeneration scheme that involves the dismantling and processing of an old public house, high-rise blocks and a community centre, in readiness for the ongoing redevelopment.
John Hickman, operations director of Wooldridge Demolition, commented: ‘Prior to the EC750E, our highest reach came from a Volvo EC480 with a Kokurek 24m boom. With the evolution of many urban regeneration projects, we needed to go higher.’
Adding the EC750E demolition excavator to Wooldridge’s equipment fleet has given the company some spare capacity and the ability to take on bigger projects. The EC480 was operating close to its limit, whilst the newer and larger EC750E can work much more efficiently and on taller building demolition projects.
Wooldridge Demolition have been extremely pleased with the performance, build quality and reliability of their eight-year-old Volvo EC480 machine, so adding the EC750E model from SMT GB was an easy decision.
The company chose to use Volvo-approved supplier Kocurek Excavators of Ipswich for the EC750E machine’s high-reach conversion, and in doing so, opted to build in extra versatility with different front-end equipment for the heavy-duty excavator.
In addition to the high-reach 40m telescopic boom, Wooldridge Demolition requested an 18m TAB configuration to work with an 8-tonne shear for low-level processing. The contractor also requested a short lifting arm with 25-tonne lift capacity, while all lifting capabilities are managed via a Prolec-rated capacity indicator.
The short lifting arm fits straight on to the modular joint. In this configuration, the EC750E is a self-contained rig capable of unloading a 22-tonne telescopic boom complete with cradle – eliminating the need for a crane to carry out machine installation.
The six-month conversion process saw the demolition excavator undergo a series of engineering changes. As well as the construction of the new boom assemblies, each track frame was lengthened by one metre, contributing to improved stability.
The undercarriage has also been given a telescopic frame, allowing the transport gauge to be increased from 2.75m centre-to-centre of the 750mm track pads, to 4.41m. Comfortable and spacious, a tilting cab assembly has been installed, along with safety walkways.
For improved safety and working conditions, the machine is equipped with a dust-suppression system. Once again, Wooldridge Demolition are delighted with the quality and integrity of the entire Volvo high-reach package. Importantly, the high-reach conversion has given the Volvo EC750E a fully integrated aesthetic rather than the impression of a third-party modification.
