Building For A Better Tomorrow

Volvo Construction Equipment announce extensive product renewal programme which will see more than 50 innovative new products being launched in 2011

After a two-year absence due to the global recession, Volvo Days (Volvo CE’s most spectacular and popular promotional event) returned this year with a four-week-long programme dedicated to demonstrating new products and strengthening relationships with customers and dealers.

The international event, which took place at Volvo’s Customer Centre in Eskilstuna, Sweden, proved to be a resounding success, creating a greater customer awareness of the company’s wider product portfolio and latest offerings and innovations among the 9,000 visitors who attended from around the world.

Volvo Days commenced on 24th May with a keynote address from recently appointed Volvo CE president and chief executive officer Pat Olney. In his presentation entitled ‘Product renewal key to success in strengthening market’, Mr Olney stated that the company is well positioned to benefit from buoyant markets, thanks to its substantial investments in new global facilities and products tailored to local customer needs.

‘With recoveries now gaining speed in our traditional markets of Europe and North America, together with continued strong growth in BRIC markets, the prospects for the industry are brightening for construction equipment companies with a global industrial and distribution footprint,’ he explained.  

Volvo CE have maintained a heavy investment commitment in recent years, and now have the manufacturing infrastructure in place to meet customer demand across the globe. The company’s ambitious growth strategy in China and the wider Asian region, for example, has seen a major expansion of its construction equipment manufacturing capacity. In addition, Volvo CE have strengthened their dealer network and are offering an expanded product range that is more closely tailored to the specific needs of customers in the Asian region.

As a result of these major investments across its Asian industrial operations, the company became the largest manufacturer of wheel loaders and excavators in the Chinese market during the first quarter of 2011.

Nonetheless, for Volvo CE to stay competitive in the industry, Mr Olney stressed the importance of the company’s continued commitment to the development of its BRIC activities and customer base, especially in China which has the world’s largest construction equipment market.

Equally important is Volvo CE’s widespread product-renewal programme that will see more than 50 new products being introduced in 2011. Mr Olney commented: ‘It is the combination of reliable, fuel-efficient and appropriate products, high production quality and strong aftermarket support that will help us capitalize on the continued growth in the major markets.’

With so many new machines being launched by the company this year, Volvo Days gave visitors the opportunity to see some of the products being worked in a live demonstration area (750,000m2) rather than a simulated, artificial one. During the event, thousands of guests watched a team of highly skilled operators put the various models through their paces, after which some visitors took the opportunity to test drive the equipment in order to gain a full insight into how the machines will operate on site.

Environmental care

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction equipment, Volvo have a clear responsibility for reducing the environmental impact of their products and are fully committed to producing engines that significantly reduce carbon emissions.

The company’s latest advances in engine technology were clearly showcased in Eskilstuna, with the introduction of its newest wheel loaders, excavators and articulated haulers all complying with Europe’s Stage IIIB and US Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations.

At the heart of Volvo’s solution are their new electronically controlled V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology) diesel engines, which feature exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) that minimizes the amount of oxygen in the combustion chamber, reducing combustion peak temperature and lowering the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – a key requirement of the new regulations.

The reduction of particulate matter from diesel engines is another major target of the latest legislation, and Volvo have addressed this by developing an advanced exhaust after-treatment system that minimizes soot in the filter by 90%, compared with previous machine series.

According to Volvo CE, their new generation machines not only emit lower emissions but also offer higher productivity and better fuel economy. On display and demonstration in Eskilstuna, the company’s first 35-tonne wheel loader, the L250G, has been designed as a heavy-duty machine with plenty of power combining an optimal mix of lifting force and traction, resulting in high bucket penetration.  

The new wheel loader features Volvo’s Optishift system (consisting of a new torque converter with lock-up and free-wheel stator) that utilizes the company’s patented 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. This significantly reduces fuel consumption in operations such as load and carry, as well as in short-cycle loading. The driveline lock-up improves drive response, rimpull and incline performance and fuel-efficiency.

The L250G wheel loader also includes sophisticated load-sensing hydraulics that deliver power to hydraulic functions only when needed, without unnecessary oil pumping. Stronger lift and tilt functions are achieved though variable-flow axial piston pumps, with high capacities for accurate control of attachment and load.  

Designed to match the needs of on-highway trucks, the machine is powered by a Volvo 13-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged V-ACT diesel engine, producing 290kw (394hp).  

Other new Tier 4/Stage IIIB-compliant machines on show included F-Series articulated haulers, the L180G high-lift wheel loader and EC250D and EC300D crawler excavators.  

The excavator models – which weigh up to 28 tonnes and 33 tonnes, respectively – are designed for a wide range of heavy digging and lifting duties. Fitted with Volvo’s Contronics advanced mode selection system, operators can choose from five working modes that best suit the job in hand, resulting in 9-13% improvements in fuel-efficiency. There is also an attachment-management system on the machines, which stores up to 18 different attachment settings.

The excavators are equipped with Volvo D8H engines featuring externally cooled gas recirculation and active regeneration diesel particulate filters. Maximum power is 151kw (202hp) on the EC250D and 169kW (227hp) on the EC300D.

Both machines benefit from a sophisticated hydraulics system that features two variable-displacement axial piston pumps. When only a single function is used, the hydraulics system combines the flow of both pumps for quick cycle times and greater productivity. For example, it can prioritize flow to the boom for faster rising during loading or in deep excavations. The arms also benefit from added flow during levelling.

The excavators are fitted with the latest-generation ROPS-approved Volvo Care Cab, which offers the operator excellent visibility and ergonomically placed controls and monitors to help create a quieter, safer and more spacious working environment to work in.

The undercarriage on the EC250D and EC300D is made from thick-gauge, high-strength tensile steel, while the sprocket and top rollers are made of forged steel, which is deep hardened for long-term durability. The bottom rollers use extreme-pressure oil, which reduces oil temperature and ensures consistent viscosity under heavy loads. The undercarriage also utilizes durable three-stage planetary gearboxes and automatic two-speed track motors.

Wider range

Volvo’s L110G and L120G wheel loaders were among the many new products on demonstration during Volvo Days. The latest additions to the G-Series wheel loader range boast a number of improvements over their predecessors, including 20% more lifting force, 5% more breakout force and up to 5% better fuel economy in load-and-carry and truck-loading duties.

The wheel loaders are powered by Volvo’s eight-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology) diesel engine, producing between 191kW and 200kW (260-268hp).

As well as meeting low-emissions legislation, Volvo say the D8 engine also leads the way in 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 reducing noise.

A new waste gate on the turbocharger allows some of the exhaust to bypass the turbine when the set intake pressure is achieved. This contributes to good engine response across the entire engine speed range.

The L110G and L120G are fitted with heavy-duty axles with housings that absorb the weight of the machine and load. This means the axle-shafts transmit torque to the hub reductions, thereby reducing stress on the propeller and shafts.

The rear-axle cradles are maintenance-free and the front axle is equipped with a hydraulically operated differential lock. This transfers 100% of the power to the wheels and reduces wheel spin, providing good traction in soft or slippery conditions.

The ambitious product renewal programme from Volvo CE clearly demonstrates a firm commitment to building on their strong position in the BRIC market. And the successful Volvo Days event not only marked an impressive display of the company’s latest equipment range but also its intent to continue to be a leading global supplier of construction machinery.