Volvo win WBB Minerals order

It has been a year since WBB Minerals began the process of replacing their mobile plant fleet at their two ball clay operations in Devon.

Following extensive trials, during which different makes of machine were tested and evaluated, WBB Minerals concluded that Volvo offered the most competitive package in terms of performance and service agreements, coupled to a first-class support service, and subsequently chose them to provide the front-line production machines for their operations.

A total of 15 Volvo A30D articulated dumptrucks have been deployed at the clay operations. An additional three A25D articulated dumptrucks specifically assigned to the South Acre Pit located at Preston Manor have been put in charge of hauling darker clays to the processing plant. Joining the dumptrucks at Preston Manor is an additional 36-tonne excavator, bringing the total number of EC360Bs in the fleet to six. An 18-tonne EW180B wheeled excavator has also joined the fleet to work in conjunction with the three 25-tonne dumptrucks at South Acre.

All the dumptrucks supplied feature special non-stick polyurethane body liners and lowered tailgates. Simret brake testers have also been fitted to each vehicle.

To support this volume of equipment Volvo have service contracts in place with WBB Minerals and have a full-time service engineer based at Preston Manor to look after the dumptrucks at both sites.