More Loaders for Lomas
Since taking delivery of their first Volvo L220G three years ago, Buxton based Lomas Distribution Ltd now has a total of four 32 tonne Volvo loading shovels – the latest two L220Hs being delivered in early and late 2016.
From its inception back in 1986, Lomas Distribution Ltd, a family run business headed up by Managing Director Richard Lomas has grown literally from a one man and a van operation into a major national logistics provider employing 300 plus employees running over 200 HGV tractors, 300 bulk tanker trailers and a significant quantity of rigid and articulated bulk tipping trailers. With its bespoke headquarters built just nine years ago at Water Swallows on the outskirts of Buxton Derbyshire incorporating a state of the art workshop featuring a VOSA approved test lane, MOT and tachograph calibration facility, Lomas Distribution Ltd has added more Volvo loading shovels to its fleet to satisfy the increasing demand for its contract crushing division.
“Three years ago we looked to offer an additional service to our existing customers by providing bulk storage and a re-handling service for commodities such as rock salt, crushed aggregates, wood chip for bio-mass and similar materials,” says Richard Lomas. “Since then we have ventured further into contract crushing and screening for the local aggregates industry here in the Peak District adding one of the first L220H series wheeled loaders in 2014 followed by a further two machines in 2016 as demand increased. Based on the good performance of the first loading shovels and the fact that half of our transport fleet is powered by Volvo and supported fully by the manufacturer, it made good senses to stick with what we know,” he continues.
The L220H supplied earlier in 2016 has been specified for heavy duty quarry applications with a direct mounted bucket whereas the second machine has been supplied to cover a range of tasks thanks to the fitting of a hydraulic attachment bracket and third line hydraulics. Thus configured the machine can be used on contract crushing duties besides being fitted with a high capacity light materials high tipping bucket to load bulkers with wood chips for biomass.
Developing 373hp in a relatively low rpm range the 13 litre Stage IV final Volvo engine coupled to Volvo designed and manufactured powertrain components are the significant features found on the L220H. These coupled to other fuel saving devices such as optishift with torque converter lock up, the reverse by braking feature and the Volvo Eco pedal encouraging the operator to run the machine at its optimum rpm in the engine’s torque curve make this a highly efficient and productive loading shovel in its size class.