First EC480E High Reach goes to Wessex
The first Volvo EC480E High Reach demolition machine to arrive in Great Britain has been sold to Southampton based Wessex Demolition & Salvage Ltd and joins three other Volvo excavators that were purchased for the first time in February 2015.
“Following the purchase of our first mid-sized excavators rigged for secondary demolition duties it was time to replace our older high reach machine,” explains Contracts Manager Ashley Grant. “Following a visit to Sweden last year to take a detailed look at Volvo’s high reach solution we were suitably impressed with what we found,” he continues. “This coupled to the performance and reliability of our EC300E and two EC250E’s we purchased last year and with our own operator’s recommendations we decided to opt for the EC480E”.
And the new Volvo EC480E High Reach demolition machine is highly specified having been fully developed in house by Volvo Construction Equipment and designed to suit the needs of the industry, offering maximum safety in all demolition applications. The key to the machine’s versatility is the ability to change the demolition equipment back to conventional digging equipment thanks to the modular pre boom arrangement and the hydraulically adjustable undercarriage which is available as an option and part of the machine specification for Wessex Demolition and Salvage.
Powered by a Volvo 13 litre Tier IV final engine developing 378hp, the 64 tonne EC480E features generous working ranges with a maximum pin height of 28 metres. The maximum tool weight is 3 tonnes on the EC480E but with the hydraulically retractable undercarriage option, tool weight can be increased to 4 tonnes working at a maximum operating angle of 20°. When fully extended the undercarriage on the EC480E increases the width by 1 metre making the machine exceptionally stable when working at maximum range. For ultimate safety, Total Moment Indicators alert the operator when the machine approaches the maximum safe working load.
With a robust structure, competitive tool carrying weight and outstanding hydraulics, the EC480EHR provides a strong performance in the toughest of demolition projects. The electro-hydraulic system uses intelligent technology to control on-demand flow for accurate controllability and excellent fuel economy. A frame-mounted Falling Object Guard (FOG) and safety windows ensure safer operations when there is a risk of the cab being struck by debris, and rear and side-view cameras provide a complete view of the jobsite at all times. Operator visibility and comfort is further enhanced with the hydraulically tilting cab which can be tilted a full 30° providing an unobstructed field of vision to the task in hand.
Two cameras mounted on the demolition equipment give a thorough view of the attachment and an optional dust suppression system (again part of Wessex Demolition’s specification) capable of delivering 30 litres of water eliminates the need for a separate solution. Four nozzles, two on each side of the arm, provide a fine mist that traps dust when demolition is in progress. The system can also be used for cleaning the machine with a high pressure water gun mounted behind the cab.
Protection of the base machine has been taken care of – for example, a micro-mesh screen on the doors and engine cowl keeps out particles and boosts engine performance and full-length track-chain guards prevent sharp objects from lodging in the tracks. Swing-ring protection guard protects the swing ring bearing seal and grease piping from damage by rebar, timber or other debris.
The EC480EHR is designed with an innovative hydraulic modular joint utilising a hydraulic dual full pin lock mechanism to release digging equipment and change from high-reach demolition boom to a standard. To achieve the correct flow and pressure for hydraulic attachments such as breakers, shears, crushers, sorting grabs and tilt rotators, the machine can be factory fitted with a wide variety of hydraulic lines to suit these attachments. The attachment management system stores the settings for up to 20 different hydraulic attachments for ease of operation. Depending on the hydraulic options configured, the management system can store flow, maximum pressure, and settings for operating comfort.