 Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc.
Products
Volvo Construction Equipment entered the compact excavator business in 1995 when the company purchased the French corporation Pel-Job, Europe’s first manufacturer of compact excavators. In 2000, the first compact excavators carrying the Volvo brand (engineered and built to meet Volvo standards) were delivered to the North American market.
Today, Volvo manufactures 10 models of compact excavators — the EC15BXTV, EC20BXTV, EC25, ECR28, EC30, EC35C, ECR38, EC55B Pro, ECR58 and EW55B. A variable undercarriage is featured on the EC15BXTV and the EC20BXTV. Most other Volvo units come with unique features like an X-frame undercarriage, swing-out counterweights and full-length boom pivot pins, which provide better serviceability and durability. The X-frame undercarriage is featured on all Volvo compact excavators larger than the EC20BXTV. This undercarriage transfers the stresses of the machine to the outer corners of the tracks, creating a stronger and more stable machine.
Volvo excavators also utilize load-sensing hydraulics. This system senses the demands placed on the hydraulic system and regulates the flow of the hydraulics to best suit those demands. This system allows for increased control, featherability and great fuel economy. The Volvo compact excavator line also boasts a variety of performance features, including: a boom offset to work alongside walls; two travel speeds; direct slew crown wheel drive; variable-width chassis; quick-change attachment bracket for speedy job exchanges; control pattern selector for either excavator (ISO) or backhoe (SAE) operation; a tilting counterweight that provides both optimum machine protection and easy access to the engine; simultaneous digging and high-speed operations for faster cycle times.
Volvo also offers short-swing radius compact excavators, designed to meet the needs of operators who work in confining, narrow and restricted-space sites. These compact excavators include the ECR28, ECR38 and the ECR58, with their uniquely designed swing system, offer maneuverability, enhanced safety and expanded job opportunities. Operator comfort is a key feature of the new excavators. Visibility and safety are vastly improved, operator controls are suspended with the seat and fitted with ergonomic armrests and noise levels have been dramatically reduced. The new-generation of direct injection, 16-valve diesel engines provide excellent performance and an auto-idling system gives contractors lower fuel consumption, less noise and longer engine life.
What’s Unique and Interesting?
Two interesting items on Volvo mini excavators are: 1) the side-mounted engines on the short radius machines that offer exceptional balance and superb serviceability and 2) directly connected slew motors that offer precise operation. This precision allows new operators and rental customers not familiar with running mini excavators to become proficient and productive in a relatively short period of time.
Insights and Advice
“Know your current and future job requirements,” says Dan Rafferty, product specialist with Volvo. “Do not allow the salesman to sell you a machine that is too big or too small for your needs. Pick the right machine for the job. Consider dig depth, reach and towing limitations. Have the dealer demo the machine on your site and allow them to show you the features on the machine that may allow you to operate faster and more efficiently. Use the demo on a job that is not time sensitive so you are not rushed through the demo.”
Contact Info
Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc.
One Volvo Dr.
Asheville, NC 28803
Ph: (828) 650-2000
Fax: (828) 650-2501
www.volvo.com/constructionequipment
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