Since the beginning of this year, Volvo Construction Equipment has updated several popular wheel loader and wheeled excavator models and has transformed one of their most powerful and durable excavators into a new short swing crawler excavator, but with more power.
Main features include increased power and fuel efficiency as well as various standard options and packages to increase the versatility and productivity of these machines.
The Volvo ECR355E short swing radius excavator is powered by a 241-hp Volvo D8 Tier 4 Final engine that combines high torque and low rpm. The ECR355E delivers an 18 per cent increase in horsepower and 28 per cent increase in torque over the previous model, the Volvo ECR305C, the company states.
The machine’s advanced electro-hydraulic system works with the Volvo engine, resulting in a 10 per cent increase in fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and faster, smoother operation, claims Volvo.
ECO mode, auto idle and auto engine shutdown also aid in decreasing fuel consumption and integrated work modes allow the operator to dial in the exact amount of power and controllability for the application.
“The ECR355E fills a need in the market for a powerful 35-tonne machine in a short swing design capable of heavy, high-production work in tight areas that would otherwise require a smaller, less productive machine,” said Sejong Ko, excavator product manager at Volvo.
In addition to the standard rear-view camera, the ECR355E now comes with a side-view camera as well as Volvo Smart View, a feature that combines four exterior-mounted cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the machine, displayed on an eight-inch in-cab monitor.
Standard options and packages include a Steelwrist tiltrotator (for rotating the attachment 360 degrees and tilting from side to side), a dozer blade and a two-piece boom, a demolition package that features factory-fitted guarding and a cab-mounted falling object guarding package.
The short swing EWR150E and EWR170E as well as the conventional swing EW220E-wheeled excavators can travel up to 48 km/h and can tow a trailer versus needing to be loaded on a lowboy, Volvo highlights.
Wheeled machines also have lighter footprints and don’t damage hard surfaces like tracked machines.
“Wheeled excavators are underutilized in North America and contractors are missing out on the benefits they bring, especially in applications like roadbuilding and in urban utility work,” said Matt McLean, product manager of wheeled excavators at Volvo.
The wheeled excavators can also be equipped with a Steelwrist tiltrotator.
To boost stability when travelling at high speeds over rough terrain, the machines can be equipped with an optional boom suspension system, which helps absorb shocks, thereby decreasing spillage. The machines also come equipped with an attachment management system that stores flow and pressure settings for up to 20 different attachments, states Volvo.
Volvo has also updated their L150H, L180H and L220H wheel loaders. The Volvo H-Series 2.0 update includes features that promote faster cycle times and up to 10 per cent greater productivity and 20 per cent greater fuel efficiency.
“The most significant changes are a new transmission with shorter steps between gears and new torque converter with customizable lockup settings,” said Eric Yeomans, product manager of wheel loaders at Volvo.
The new transmission works in harmony with the engine and axles to improve stability and efficiency, he added.
The new converter delivers increased torque output, resulting in better performance at low speeds.
The 2.0 machines feature the latest technology, including a bucket levelling function, which automatically returns the bucket to level from dump and curl positions as well as the second-generation OptiShift technology that allows operators to customize the lock-up engagement of their machines.
The improved OptiShift also integrates reverse-by-braking and a new torque converter with lock-up, creating a direct drive between the engine and transmission. The machine’s optional load assist system keeps track of the amount of material moved and provides the operator real-time load information on a 10-inch Co-Pilot touchscreen display, Volvo added.
A new dry P-brake is designed to eliminate drag losses, thereby improving fuel efficiency. The eco pedal, which applies a mechanical push-back force in response to excess use of the accelerator, engine and hydraulics, also improves fuel efficiency.
These three loaders are the smallest loaders in the company’s large wheel loader category, which includes six machines ranging in power from 295 hp to 532 hp.
These machines are ideal for extraction of rock, sand and gravel, material handling, rehandling and larger waste and scrap handling applications, Volvo stated.
Late last year, Volvo introduced smaller machines for the 2018 construction season.
These included the L20H and L25H compact wheel loaders, which are popular in landscaping, utility work, industrial material handling, auto salvage and agriculture, as well as the EC27D mini hydraulic excavator, which features impressive lifting capacity and digging force, as well as five per cent less fuel and 30 per cent less horsepower than its predecessor.
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