A visit to Sweden led to one of Arran’s largest employers purchasing a new 22 tonne Volvo EC220E crawler excavator.
The machine has been delivered to John Thomson Construction Ltd (JTC Ltd), and will have a multi-functional role on a number of ongoing and future projects on the island.
The Tier IV compliant EC220E joins a mixed fleet of equipment operated by the firm including older EC140B’s and Volvo loading shovels. The machine has been specified to handle a variety of applications from general construction to quarrying and forestry work featuring extra options including an X3 rotation circuit and heavy duty guarding around the cab and hydraulic cylinders.
Powered by a six cylinder Volvo engine developing 174 nett hp the EC220E is said to offer the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication. Pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, whilst maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque. When Eco mode is selected, Volvo says the machine provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions.
Opting for the new E series was a culmination of recently trialling and evaluating a D series EC220 together with a visit to the 2015 Volvo Days event in Eskilstuna, Sweden where managing director Iain Thomson was able to appraise the latest model first hand. He explained, “We know from our own experiences that the Volvo comes with a good pedigree in terms of performance, operator acceptance and overall reliability.
“With the outcome of a recent demonstration plus the chance to take a detailed look at the latest E model we decided the time was right to opt for the latest 22 tonne machine.”
The machine has already been deployed in JTC’s Dereneneach Quarry on the Island’s String Road near Shiskine where it has been put in charge of loading a mobile crusher.
Due to its specification it can be utilised within any of the company’s five main activities on Arran – quarrying, construction, housebuilding, general plant hire and forestry.
John Thomson Construction Ltd was founded in 1952 by the late John Thomson and the business has steadily grown and expanded to become a highly successful firm.
