Port of Blyth invests in refurbished Volvo wheel loader

UK port operator gives Volvo L220G loading shovel a new lease of life

THE Port of Blyth – the operating division of Blyth Harbour Commission – has taken delivery of a refurbished Volvo L220G wheel loader, which has been deployed at Battleship Wharf, the port’s main terminal for handing bulk materials.

The two-year-old refurbished L220G loader was recently traded in from a similar coal-handling operation on the Humber Estuary and underwent a full refurbishment programme in accordance with Volvo’s Approved Used scheme.

This included: a full service; health and safety checks; a full function test; thorough cleaning and valeting; and rigorous checks for leaks and major damage. In addition, the machine’s 8.2 cubic metre high-tip bucket has been completely overhauled by its original supplier, Ulrich Attachments Ltd.

With its wide profile tyres, the newly arrived L220G loading shovel joins an existing L220E, which was originally supplied back in 2004 and has clocked up 9,000h.

Both machines are rehandling coal which is transported to site by road from an expansive opencast coal site located a short distance from the port. Up to three train loads are dispatched daily to large coal-fired power stations located in West Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire. The Port of Blyth also operates other Volvo loading shovels of varying ages, including a L90C and L120E model.

Chris Owen of Port of Blyth’s engineering department commented: ‘Part of the reason for choosing the L220G was the fact that we have a good experience with regards to the reliability of our existing Volvo fleet, plus the added benefit of having a customer support centre not far away at Birtley, south Gateshead.’