HAULAGE and muck shifting contractors Penfold Verrall, of Dial Post near Horsham West Sussex has broken with tradition and purchased three brand new E series Volvo excavators for the first time.
“We were in the market to replace three mid-sized excavators for our plant fleet and in particular to service long standing contracts we have with a large waste handling and recycling company in our locality,” said Contracts Manager Mark Nunn. “We wanted to choose a proven and reliable brand that would give a good return on the total cost of ownership, high residual values along with sound after sales support. Having looked at the market place and our own experience operating Volvo shovels and haulers, we felt the Volvo product stood head and shoulders above the rest and so opted for two new EC220E’s and an EC250E.”
Another deciding factor for choosing the new EC220E in particular was the fact that the machine is powered by a six cylinder engine as opposed to a four cylinder engine in the 20 tonne machines that have been replaced. The Tier IV final engine develops 174 nett horsepower whereas the power unit in the larger 25 tonne EC250E is an eight cylinder engine developing 213hp. Operators can select the best work mode for the task at hand, ensuring optimum performance and fuel efficiency. Modes include: I-idle, F-fine, G-general, H-heavy or P-power, with the machine automatically setting the appropriate engine speed for the work mode and ECO mode is a new feature that works in G to H (or P) mode.
“Dealing with the manufacturer is another major plus for Penfold Verrall with an added bonus in the fact that Volvo has a customer support centre not ten minutes away at Southwater,” added Mr Nunn.
The EC220E will be presented at this year’s Plantworx exhibition taking place 2 – 4 June 2015 at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire.
