A Volvo P8820C brings a new dynamic to Connor Construction (South West) Ltd
Connor Construction (South West) Ltd has added a new tracked Volvo P8820C road paver to its existing fleet of predominantly branded Volvo machines, which has brought a new dynamic to the company’s operating portfolio.
The Volvo P8820C is a 17.7 tonne track mounted paver and has been supplied to Connor Construction (South West) with a double tamping VDT V78 ETC screed with a working width of 7.5m adding an additional 6.0 tonnes to the overall machine weight. This combination of machine and screed is ideal for handling CBM (concrete based materials) which are becoming more commonly used in sub bases for new road construction projects. The double tamping effect provides an impressive 90% +compaction ratio whilst the crawler mounted chassis gives a superior traction and platform to pull against on loose granular material. The variable width screed benefits from hydraulic cylinders which brace it when working at its full extent (the maximum width this machine could actually handle is 13 metres).
“Opting for the larger crawler machine has added a new dynamic to our business and has helped us fill a niche in the paving market where CBM is being used,” comments Managing Director Ian Webb. “The P8820C has been fully occupied since we took delivery of it eight months ago laying CBM on the Kingkerswell by-pass near Torquay. Its production capabilities have been impressive and at one point it was laying as much as 400 tonnes of wearing course material in just two hours and twenty minutes.”
In addition to an impressive production output, the P8820C equally boasts high efficiencies when it comes to fuel consumption thanks to its Volvo 8 litre Tier IV engine developing 182 hp and ultra-low noise emissions. The hopper capacity has a generous 14 tonnes capacity and the conveyor system and augers are designed and built with exceptionally good wear characteristics to counter the highly abrasive nature of CBM. “In our opinion nothing comes close to competing on both volume and compaction on this Volvo tracked paver,” continues Ian Webb. “The machine mirrors the quality of our wheeled Volvo pavers. It is exceptionally well built and robust enough to put up with the demands of the paver hire market which by its very nature can be very tough on the machines. They continue to give great service working day in day out and my crews really appreciate the performance and ease of operation - I really cannot fault them.”
Whilst Connor Construction (South West) Ltd purchased the P8820C with the double tamping screed primarily to lay CBM together, another reason for choosing the machine is the fact that it can be deployed onto normal asphalt laying duties when required. This has given the company added flexibility insomuch that the impact of the double tamping screed can be easily reduced to deliver the correct compaction for asphalt laying and the electric heating of the screed (which was supplied as standard) is simply switched on. Utilising straight line technology the P8820C’s EPM2 constantly monitors the speed and direction of the tracks ensuring a constant and accurate forward motion when laying material. Direction and speed are controlled by dials mounted on the unique EPM2 display located at the operator’s station.
This latest paver joins five wheeled Volvo P6870 pavers in Connor Construction (South West) Ltd.’s fleet. Located just outside Frome in Somerset, the company supplies plant and labour for a whole range of projects. This can include anything from residential driveways and forecourts to major highways and motorways plus numerous local authorities. As Ian Webb explains; “Besides the general resurfacing contracts, we relish the chance to tender for unique projects such as air fields, race tracks and cycle tracks and not just in the south of England. We have and will go anywhere in Great Britain
either working on our own contracts or sub-contracting to the major aggregates companies. All of Connor Construction’s labour force is fully trained, accredited and skilled in the entire range of surfacing duties. “With our labour hire service we source the right personnel for the job – from an eight man machine crew to a two man preparation crew and often at short notice,” continues Ian. “Each crew is fully supported by our management team so no matter how far away from base the job takes them we have back-up management staff to help co-ordinate all team requirements.”
Supporting the operation Connor Construction has added more vehicles to its fleet and now has three low loaders hauled by Volvo FH tractor units, two new bitumen tankers along with other auxiliary equipment.