Volvo shovels herald new chapter for Oxbow Coal
Four brand new Volvo loading shovels have been purchased by Oxbow Coal Ltd as the company embarks on a new chapter of investment at its Immingham-based operations. The package includes two new Volvo L150G and two new L180G loading shovels, which have been deployed as the prime movers at the Immingham facility and will be responsible for handling up to 1 million tonnes of imported coal per annum.
‘Following a competitive tender process we finally settled on the Volvo product for several reasons,’ explained Oxbow Coal’s commercial manager Mark Robinson. ‘First, we’ve run Volvo’s in the past and had a positive experience when it comes to reliability; and secondly, the offer from Volvo represented good value for money with the prospect of high residual values, competitive servicing costs and the proximity of the local support centre.’
Both the L150G and L180G models feature a 13-litre Stage IIIB-compliant engine producing 300hp and 333hp, respectively, plus optishift transmissions and Volvo designed and manufactured axles. The G-series models benefit from a 20% increase in lifting force and a 10% increase in breakout force over their predecessors, and this coupled to the engine output with its high torque at low engine revs/min has resulted in faster cycle times and increased productivity.
Two stronger, variable-displacement, load-bearing axial piston pumps have been introduced to handle the increased pressures. These provide superior control of the load and attachments, as well as high breakout force and faster lifting and tilt functions. In addition, a new hydraulic cooling system has been designed to reduce the working temperatures by around 20°C over the F-series model. Fuel savings are further enhanced by the Volvo Eco pedal, which encourages the operator to run the machine at its optimum revs/min in the engine’s torque curve.
‘All four machines are equipped with attachment brackets to facilitate a quick changeover of attachments,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘This gives us total flexibility on site although we’ve put the two larger L180G loading shovels in charge of receiving and storing incoming material. This includes ramping up the coal into stockpiles utilizing high-capacity bulk-material buckets and bespoke pusher blades, whereas the two L150G’s are deployed in loading out material either into road-going wagons or by train using hi-tip buckets.’
The four new Volvo loading shovels are part of a significant investment in the Immingham facility by Oxbow Coal’s parent company in the US. This includes new screening equipment, lighting towers, additional mobile plant and ancillary equipment. The Volvo machines have been supplied complete with the manufacturer’s Blue service agreements and will be supported by Volvo’s local Immingham customer support centre.
