Hillhead 2018 - New machines showcased by Volvo’s exclusive dealer, SMT GB.

This year, SMT GB will be showcasing new machines from Volvo Construction Equipment as well as sponsoring Hillhead’s show-stopping Man Engine, and the company is inviting all operators to compete in the GB heats of the anticipated European Operators Club Competition on their stand.

Hillhead is synonymous with innovation and SMT GB, as the only dealer of Volvo Construction Equipment in Great Britain, will likewise be leading with a range of trailblazing activities.

Perhaps the most innovative machines premiered this year by Volvo has been the new L260H wheel loader. Built in response to evolving business demands, the machine can load 26 tons in just two passes. Compared to its predecessor, the L260H boasts 15% greater productivity thanks to the intelligently designed wheelbase (increased by 2 inches) and optimised weight distribution of the front frame and lifting arm system.

These two features allow for larger buckets to be used and deliver 6% more power, 5% more torque than the L250G, and 10% better fuel efficiency. It comes with four new specifically designed buckets with the rock bucket having a longer floor that can hold 11.5% more material, boosting productivity by up to 25%.

Redesigned rehandling buckets are easier to fill and new convex sides minimise spillage by 5%. Figures like these can make a big difference to a company’s bottom line.

Also shown for the first time at Hillhead is the all-new and versatile EW240E material handler - the strongest and most innovative yet, specifically designed for the waste and recycling industries. It has impressive reach of more than 11 metres and boasts a host of new features like a dedicated upper structure and reinforced undercarriage to withstand the forces in scrap-sorting applications.

It differs from a standard excavator with the hydraulically elevated cab, four stabilizers as standard, full rubber tires, and tailor-made straight boom that is flexible enough to be fitted with either a five-metre gooseneck arm or a four-metre grab/sorting arm.

Performance is enhanced by the boom-float function and the boom cylinder dampening which minimizes shaking and holds the grapple in place for increased stability. To improve accuracy, the grapple control and soft-swing braking system work in harmony during simultaneous operations, while optimized hydraulics system deliver instant response.

The Volvo cab can be raised up to five metres for an eye-level view keeping operation steady when working at height. To enhance safety, the EW240E is equipped with the arm in limitation to avoid collision between the cab and the grapple. Best of all, customers can configure the machine to their application by selecting either a gooseneck arm or straight arm to ensure they always have the best grasp for the job.

At the SMT GB stand this year, machine operators are in for a lot of fun with the GB heats of the Volvo Operators Club European Competition. Any qualified operator can have a go on the Volvo machines in a series of practical challenges for the ultimate chance to compete with other European operators at the legendary annual Grand Final later this year in Konz, Germany where the top competitors from 15 European countries will put their skill, speed and precision to the ultimate test.

The GB Operators Club has attracted over 4,000 member operators of Volvo machines (and other makes) who are all welcome to sign up for free. The competition will be held in three outside areas of the stand as well as on a Volvo simulator. All that’s needed to take part is a valid operator license /accreditation eg. CPCS, be a GB resident, and take a breathalyser test beforehand.

Challenges have previously included driving machines through obstacle courses and demonstrating precise movements with various attachments – all against the clock.

Shown for the first time at Hillhead, the ECR355E short-swing radius excavator offers significantly increased digging and lifting forces, controllability and ultimate uptime, as well as 10% better fuel efficiency and is the ideal partner for pipe laying, trench-box installation and utility work.

The ECR355E features increased hydraulic flow for accurate control in grading and combined operations. The synchronized boom and arm assist ease of movement when simultaneously traveling and lifting, contributing to higher grading quality.

The password-protected attachment management system allows storage for up to 20 different attachments. The user-friendly system allows the operator to pre-set the correct hydraulic flow and pressure inside the cab through the monitor, to get the most performance from attachments.

Joining in the fun and answering the industry’s growing demand for short swing wheeled excavators, the EWR170E will be on the SMT GB stand to showcase it’s host of intelligent features including the opportunity to steer the machine using only the roller on the joystick, up to 20km/h (12mph) called Comfort Drive Control (CDC).

The EWR170E can be individually configured with either standard 2.5m wide axles or, to boost stability, 2.75m axles and blade. Approved for road use, the ever versatile wheeled excavator has an optional road-homologated trailer hitch which can pull up to eight tons (for trailers with overrun brakes). Made to move, the EWR170E also has an optimized hydraulic hose routing on the boom and arm to enhance durability and reduce the chance of damage.

Did you know the Man Engine was powered by Volvo? A L220H wheel loader is the heart of this project, and CEO of SMT GB, Nick Allen, is delighted: “The Man Engine is a magnificent feat of engineering and we’re proud and happy to have our machine power its countrywide tour, and here at the show. We’ve been sponsoring this amazing project since 2016 and can’t wait to see the Man Engine transform to his full 11.2 metre height once again.”

Will Coleman, Director of Golden Tree Productions, adds: “We’d like to thank SMT GB & Volvo CE again for sponsoring the machine which has recently returned from a tour of South Wales & Cornwall to play at Hillhead 2018. This year marks the beginning of The Man Engine’s ambitions for a global tour.”