First ever Volvos arrive at Active Plant
Looking to purchase new excavators for their plant hire fleet, Operations Director John Deeble and Managing Director, Jerry O’Donovan, of Active Plant Hire Ltd took a detailed look at the specification and key performance indicators of the Volvo ECR145E and the larger ECR235E excavators. They concluded these were the right machines to add to their equipment portfolio for operated hire to blue chip contractors across Greater London.
With its operating headquarters based at Aveley near Upminster in Essex, Active Plant Hire Ltd has broken with tradition and opted for Volvo ECR145E and ECR235E reduced swing excavators. “Operating zero or reduced swing excavators is our trade mark and this time around we opted for Volvo machines as availability was the key factor,” explains John Deeble. “Our needs coincided with SMT GB having the machines we wanted either in stock or arriving imminently and to the specification we required, so the deal for four machines fell SMT’s way,” he continues. “Notwithstanding the fact that we know the Volvo excavator has a good pedigree in terms of build quality, reliability and strong residual values and sits at the higher spectrum of the excavator market. Opting for the Volvo brand will pay dividends as we discuss medium and long term contracts with the large Tier One and other blue chip contractors going forwards.”
The mainstay of Active Plant Hire’s typical hire contracts lie in general groundworks, demolition, site clearance and preparation for new builds and much of their hires are in the Greater London area dictating the use of compact machines to get the work done. “A lot of the work takes place in tight and confined spaces so the need for a reduced swing excavator that has sufficient power, reach and optimum performance is critical,” explains John. “In addition we are undertaking quite a lot of work on motorway and dual carriage maintenance where the use of a reduced swing machine is essential.”
The 15.4 tonne ECR145E is equipped with a Stage-IV 4-litre Volvo engine producing 121 hp whilst its larger brother the ECR235E benefits from a 6-litre unit developing 174 hp. These operate in conjunction with an advanced mode control system ensuring the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed under varying load conditions. Both machines have ample dig reach and depth as well impressive lifting capacities across carriage for their respective size classes and feature hammer/shear circuits, quick fit hydraulics and hose rupture valves fitted to both boom and dipper cylinders as standard.