Singleton Birch anticipate fuel efficiency and savings with Volvo loader
The deal for the flagship wheeled loader was struck following a critical and objective evaluation of the product and third party recommendations together with the prospect of making significant fuel savings over the model it replaces.
Mark Sacker, quarry manager, commented: ‘We were pleasantly surprised in the improvements over the L350F’s predecessor in terms of visibility and smoothness of operation and in general were impressed with what we saw for ourselves and the positive comments coming from an existing user. In addition, we are confident we will see a reduction of around 10 litres/h in fuel consumption with the L350F which will amount to about a £70,000 saving in cost over the next five years.’
Joining two existing competitively sized machines, the new L350F will be deployed as one of the two prime movers, digging blasted chalk from the face and carrying it to a mobile sizer, operating a 12h day, seven day week shift and contributing to a total production of around 450 tonnes/h.
The 52-tonne wheeled loader has been especially prepared to Singleton Birch’s specification and follows, where practicable, the Mineral Products Association check list for safety parameters applicable to mobile plant. The significant modification to the machine surrounds the safe entry and exit to the operator’s compartment featuring hydraulically retractable steps located at the nearside rear of the machine and a widened platform and associated grab rails to facilitate full door opening to the cab. Other additions to the standard specification include: a reversible fan, modified mirrors, strobe reverse lights, alternator cooling, a bespoke rock guard for the front windscreen, dust buster for the air intake, rock deflectors for the 6.8m3 spade-nosed rock bucket, Groeneveld central lubrication system, and a tyre pressure monitoring system supplied and monitored by Earthmover Tyres. An RDS 9000 weighing system has also been installed in order to monitor actual production.
The new L350F will offer a massive improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the outgoing competitive machine and an all round improvement to productivity and operator comfort compared to the L330E model that Singleton Birch operated some years ago. The source of these improvements largely lies in the combination of the L350F’s new Tier 3/Stage III Volvo engine with an output of 535hp and maximum torque reached at just 1,400 rev/min, stronger hydraulics, a Volvo transmission with lock-up and Volvo-designed and manufactured axles. As a result, the L350F is easier and more comfortable to operate, leading to faster cycle times and sustained high performance throughout the working day, thanks to reduced operator fatigue.
Operator comfort has also taken a significant step forward with the introduction of the L350F. Fitted with a larger Volvo Care Cab, the operator enjoys a more spacious air-conditioned interior that is insulated from noise, dust and vibrations – the latter thanks to viscous cab mounts and air suspended seat.
The L350F has been supplied with a three-year 3,000h full warranty and a 9,000h driveline warranty.
Volvo Construction Equipment, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX; tel: (01223) 251720; fax: (01223) 832799.
Mark Sacker, quarry manager, commented: ‘We were pleasantly surprised in the improvements over the L350F’s predecessor in terms of visibility and smoothness of operation and in general were impressed with what we saw for ourselves and the positive comments coming from an existing user. In addition, we are confident we will see a reduction of around 10 litres/h in fuel consumption with the L350F which will amount to about a £70,000 saving in cost over the next five years.’
Joining two existing competitively sized machines, the new L350F will be deployed as one of the two prime movers, digging blasted chalk from the face and carrying it to a mobile sizer, operating a 12h day, seven day week shift and contributing to a total production of around 450 tonnes/h.
The 52-tonne wheeled loader has been especially prepared to Singleton Birch’s specification and follows, where practicable, the Mineral Products Association check list for safety parameters applicable to mobile plant. The significant modification to the machine surrounds the safe entry and exit to the operator’s compartment featuring hydraulically retractable steps located at the nearside rear of the machine and a widened platform and associated grab rails to facilitate full door opening to the cab. Other additions to the standard specification include: a reversible fan, modified mirrors, strobe reverse lights, alternator cooling, a bespoke rock guard for the front windscreen, dust buster for the air intake, rock deflectors for the 6.8m3 spade-nosed rock bucket, Groeneveld central lubrication system, and a tyre pressure monitoring system supplied and monitored by Earthmover Tyres. An RDS 9000 weighing system has also been installed in order to monitor actual production.
The new L350F will offer a massive improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the outgoing competitive machine and an all round improvement to productivity and operator comfort compared to the L330E model that Singleton Birch operated some years ago. The source of these improvements largely lies in the combination of the L350F’s new Tier 3/Stage III Volvo engine with an output of 535hp and maximum torque reached at just 1,400 rev/min, stronger hydraulics, a Volvo transmission with lock-up and Volvo-designed and manufactured axles. As a result, the L350F is easier and more comfortable to operate, leading to faster cycle times and sustained high performance throughout the working day, thanks to reduced operator fatigue.
Operator comfort has also taken a significant step forward with the introduction of the L350F. Fitted with a larger Volvo Care Cab, the operator enjoys a more spacious air-conditioned interior that is insulated from noise, dust and vibrations – the latter thanks to viscous cab mounts and air suspended seat.
The L350F has been supplied with a three-year 3,000h full warranty and a 9,000h driveline warranty.
Volvo Construction Equipment, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX; tel: (01223) 251720; fax: (01223) 832799.
