New Volvo G-series wheel loaders re-set the standard
Three new models lay the foundations for latest generation of wheel loaders
With a 20% increase in lifting force, the L150G, L180G and L220G are the foundation of the new G-series range of wheel loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment, offering higher productivity, improved fuel efficiency and stronger hydraulics.
Featuring new engines and driveline systems for improved productivity, lower emissions, greater smoothness, serviceability and operator comfort, the G-series is the latest generation of wheeled loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment.
These new models are fitted with a Tier 4i/Stage IIIB compliant engine that is married to a drive train, hydraulics and lifting systems that are all designed and produced by Volvo to work in productive fuel-efficient harmony. The G-series also features a 20% increase in lifting force and 10% improvement in breakout force.
Increased power, torque and fuel efficiency
The G-series is a complete range of loaders that meet the requirements of the Stage IIIB (in Europe) and Tier 4i (in the US) emissions legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2011.
The L150G, L180G and L220G models are all fitted with Volvo’s 13-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology) off-highway diesel engine, which features cooled gas recirculation and a particulate filter with active regeneration. The active-type diesel particulate filter (DPF) temporarily holds the particulate matter and then incinerates it, further reducing emissions. This process is conducted without any loss of performance or operation.
Producing between 220kW and 274kW (300-371hp), depending on the model, the three units provide high torque at low engine speeds. As well as meeting the low-emissions requirements of the legislation, Volvo say the D13 engine also leads the industry in terms of fuel efficiency, reliability and noise. The production of torque and power at low engine speeds, combined with load-sensing hydraulics, removes the need to overrun the engine, which in turn extends engine life as well as lowering fuel usage and dramatically reducing noise.
A variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) has been introduced on the G-series wheel loaders, which has been designed to continually vary the airflow into the engine. A sliding nozzle allows the exhaust gas flowing into the turbine wheel to vary to provide rapid boost at low engine speeds – and to achieve and maintain high boost at higher engine speeds. This contributes to good engine response across the entire engine speed range.
Powerful hydraulics
The new wheel loaders boast a 20% increase in lifting force and 10% increase in breakout force. This improvement ensures smooth, full buckets – resulting in faster cycle times and increased productivity. Two stronger, variable displacement load-bearing axial piston pumps and hoses have been introduced to handle the increased pressures. These provide superior control of the load and attachments, as well as high breakout force, faster lifting and tilt functions. A new hydraulic cooling system has been designed to reduce the working temperatures by up to 20 degrees C over previous models. Also, the hydraulic oil-return filter has improved from 20micron to 10micron to further protect the pumps from potential contamination.
The powertrain is designed to work in harmony for optimum performance. Engines, transmissions, drivelines, heavy-duty axles, hydraulics are all optimized to not only match each other, but to ensure maximum performance and reliability. Transmissions feature the company’s Volvo Automatic Power Shift (APS) concept, which ensures the loader always operates in the correct gear by sensing engine and travel speed, kick-down, engine braking and other factors. Offering operators a choice of four gear shifting programs, APS results in more efficient work cycles with lower fuel consumption and wear.
Fuel savings
Consisting of a new torque converter with lock-up and free-wheel stator, Optishift is a new system that integrates the Volvo reverse-by-braking (RBB) function, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%, as well as increasing operator comfort and driveline durability. When changing from forward to reverse (or vice versa), RBB applies the standard service brake instead of the torque converter, bringing the machine to a halt and putting less stress on the converter and transmission. OptiShift can significantly reduce fuel consumption in operations such as load and carry – as well as in short-cycle loading. The driveline lock up, meanwhile, improves drive response, rimpull and incline performance and fuel efficiency.
Volvo’s torque parallel (TP) linkage combines the benefits of Z-bar and parallel linkages in one system, delivering good parallel movement and high breakout force, even in the highest lift position. Featuring fewer welds, the TP linkage is designed to withstand the toughest conditions.
New cab
The new wheel loaders are fitted with the latest generation Volvo Care cab, which is ROPS/FOPS approved and is said to have excellent. Other features include controls that fall easily to hand and an efficient air-management and filtering systems.
The servo controls are mounted on the operator seat, and include settings such as Return to Dig. To encourage operators to work smoothly, the accelerator pedal applies an appropriate amount of mechanical back pressure, to encourage low fuel consumption operating techniques.
Machine care
The G-series loaders come with advanced electronic monitoring diagnostics that are designed to prolong machine life, enhance uptime and maximize productivity.
Contronics monitors functions in real time and alerts the operator if problems occur. MATRIS, meanwhile, charts and analyses data on machine handling and operation. VCADS Pro is a system that allows a machine to be fine-tuned to specific applications.
Finally, CareTrack, the Volvo Construction Equipment telematics system, allows machine location and operating data to be securely viewed via the Internet from anywhere in the world, aiding fast decisions on maintenance and repairs.
Servicing is made easy with daily pre-start items quickly checked and scheduled service items conveniently grouped together. The G-series is fitted with a newly designed engine cover that provides better ventilation of the engine compartment. The cover can be electronically opened backwards – giving good access for fast and easy cleaning or servicing duties. Centralized, ground-level lubrication banks lower the time spent on scheduled maintenance.
Attachments
A large number of Volvo attachments are available to suit the application, including high-tip and side-tipping buckets, as well as attachment brackets that make changing tools fast and easy. All designed and approved by Volvo to work in perfect harmony with the machines’ link-arm geometry, breakout, rim pull and lifting forces.
With a 20% increase in lifting force, the L150G, L180G and L220G are the foundation of the new G-series range of wheel loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment, offering higher productivity, improved fuel efficiency and stronger hydraulics.
Featuring new engines and driveline systems for improved productivity, lower emissions, greater smoothness, serviceability and operator comfort, the G-series is the latest generation of wheeled loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment.
These new models are fitted with a Tier 4i/Stage IIIB compliant engine that is married to a drive train, hydraulics and lifting systems that are all designed and produced by Volvo to work in productive fuel-efficient harmony. The G-series also features a 20% increase in lifting force and 10% improvement in breakout force.
Increased power, torque and fuel efficiency
The G-series is a complete range of loaders that meet the requirements of the Stage IIIB (in Europe) and Tier 4i (in the US) emissions legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2011.
The L150G, L180G and L220G models are all fitted with Volvo’s 13-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology) off-highway diesel engine, which features cooled gas recirculation and a particulate filter with active regeneration. The active-type diesel particulate filter (DPF) temporarily holds the particulate matter and then incinerates it, further reducing emissions. This process is conducted without any loss of performance or operation.
Producing between 220kW and 274kW (300-371hp), depending on the model, the three units provide high torque at low engine speeds. As well as meeting the low-emissions requirements of the legislation, Volvo say the D13 engine also leads the industry in terms of fuel efficiency, reliability and noise. The production of torque and power at low engine speeds, combined with load-sensing hydraulics, removes the need to overrun the engine, which in turn extends engine life as well as lowering fuel usage and dramatically reducing noise.
A variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) has been introduced on the G-series wheel loaders, which has been designed to continually vary the airflow into the engine. A sliding nozzle allows the exhaust gas flowing into the turbine wheel to vary to provide rapid boost at low engine speeds – and to achieve and maintain high boost at higher engine speeds. This contributes to good engine response across the entire engine speed range.
Powerful hydraulics
The new wheel loaders boast a 20% increase in lifting force and 10% increase in breakout force. This improvement ensures smooth, full buckets – resulting in faster cycle times and increased productivity. Two stronger, variable displacement load-bearing axial piston pumps and hoses have been introduced to handle the increased pressures. These provide superior control of the load and attachments, as well as high breakout force, faster lifting and tilt functions. A new hydraulic cooling system has been designed to reduce the working temperatures by up to 20 degrees C over previous models. Also, the hydraulic oil-return filter has improved from 20micron to 10micron to further protect the pumps from potential contamination.
The powertrain is designed to work in harmony for optimum performance. Engines, transmissions, drivelines, heavy-duty axles, hydraulics are all optimized to not only match each other, but to ensure maximum performance and reliability. Transmissions feature the company’s Volvo Automatic Power Shift (APS) concept, which ensures the loader always operates in the correct gear by sensing engine and travel speed, kick-down, engine braking and other factors. Offering operators a choice of four gear shifting programs, APS results in more efficient work cycles with lower fuel consumption and wear.
Fuel savings
Consisting of a new torque converter with lock-up and free-wheel stator, Optishift is a new system that integrates the Volvo reverse-by-braking (RBB) function, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%, as well as increasing operator comfort and driveline durability. When changing from forward to reverse (or vice versa), RBB applies the standard service brake instead of the torque converter, bringing the machine to a halt and putting less stress on the converter and transmission. OptiShift can significantly reduce fuel consumption in operations such as load and carry – as well as in short-cycle loading. The driveline lock up, meanwhile, improves drive response, rimpull and incline performance and fuel efficiency.
Volvo’s torque parallel (TP) linkage combines the benefits of Z-bar and parallel linkages in one system, delivering good parallel movement and high breakout force, even in the highest lift position. Featuring fewer welds, the TP linkage is designed to withstand the toughest conditions.
New cab
The new wheel loaders are fitted with the latest generation Volvo Care cab, which is ROPS/FOPS approved and is said to have excellent. Other features include controls that fall easily to hand and an efficient air-management and filtering systems.
The servo controls are mounted on the operator seat, and include settings such as Return to Dig. To encourage operators to work smoothly, the accelerator pedal applies an appropriate amount of mechanical back pressure, to encourage low fuel consumption operating techniques.
Machine care
The G-series loaders come with advanced electronic monitoring diagnostics that are designed to prolong machine life, enhance uptime and maximize productivity.
Contronics monitors functions in real time and alerts the operator if problems occur. MATRIS, meanwhile, charts and analyses data on machine handling and operation. VCADS Pro is a system that allows a machine to be fine-tuned to specific applications.
Finally, CareTrack, the Volvo Construction Equipment telematics system, allows machine location and operating data to be securely viewed via the Internet from anywhere in the world, aiding fast decisions on maintenance and repairs.
Servicing is made easy with daily pre-start items quickly checked and scheduled service items conveniently grouped together. The G-series is fitted with a newly designed engine cover that provides better ventilation of the engine compartment. The cover can be electronically opened backwards – giving good access for fast and easy cleaning or servicing duties. Centralized, ground-level lubrication banks lower the time spent on scheduled maintenance.
Attachments
A large number of Volvo attachments are available to suit the application, including high-tip and side-tipping buckets, as well as attachment brackets that make changing tools fast and easy. All designed and approved by Volvo to work in perfect harmony with the machines’ link-arm geometry, breakout, rim pull and lifting forces.
