New Volvo excavator for Cardiff Demolition
Welsh contractor strengthens plant fleet with new addition of 38-tonne Volvo EC380E
NORMALLY associated with alternative excavator brands, Cardiff Demolition Co. Ltd have decided to make a change and opted for a new Volvo EC380E excavator.
The machine was chosen after managing director Phil Farnham considered several key factors. These included a strong reputation Volvo excavators have gained in demolition applications and the fact that the EC380E offers the latest in engine technology and fuel-saving efficiencies thanks to the installation of a Stage IV Final-compliant engine.
Cardiff Demolition’s new EC380E excavator benefits from the addition of secondary demolition options, including: SIPS (side-impact protection system) rails along the machine’s superstructure; boom and bucket cylinder heavy-duty protection guards; ‘boxing ring’ style hand rails; and kick plates providing safe access to the engine compartment.
The machine also features heavy-duty belly plates and an X3 proportional rotation line to operate rotating selector grabs and shears. A X1 hammer and shear circuit – which comes as standard on the EC380E – has been modified to operate through the proportional valve as well. All the machine’s attachments will be picked up on a TEFRA hydraulic quick-hitch.
Equipped with the Stage IV Final-compliant 13-litre engine, the EC380E model develops 306hp and is ideally matched to its automatic sensing mode hydraulic system.
Volvo’s unique Eco mode contributes up to 9% of the machine’s total improved efficiency over the D models – without any loss of performance in most operating conditions. As well as improving fuel efficiency, the Eco feature increases controllability for more precise performance.
Volvo’s integrated work mode system offers the operator a choice of five work modes according to the task in hand – I (Idle), F (Fine), G (General), H (Heavy) or P (Power) – for optimum efficiency and machine performance.
When the controls have been inactive for a pre-set amount of time, the excavator can be programmed to automatically reduce engine speed or even shut down to further reduce fuel consumption and noise. Operators can keep track of both current and average fuel consumption via a simple gauge in the cab.
