Nicol of Skene try something new….

 …in the shape of 3 reduced swing excavators from Volvo.

Breaking with tradition, the Aberdeenshire-based civil engineering and groundworks contractor has added two new reduced swing Volvo ECR235Es and an ECR355E to its plant fleet for the first time.

“A few years back we tried a reduced swing machine, not a Volvo I hasten to add, and it was most unimpressive when it came to its overall stability and digging performance,” comments Chief Executive Derek Nicol. “That made us quite sceptical about the zero or reduced swing design concept, favouring conventional excavators for our plant fleet. That is until we took an ECR235E on hire for a specific job.”

“The ECR235E has changed our opinion, with it demonstrating excellent stability, across the carriage, powerful digging attributes, operator comfort and, above all, general all-round safety,” continues Derek.

“Originally, we were only going to buy one machine. However, after taking the stability, build quality and all-round specification of the machines into consideration, together with our desire to improve in all aspects of our safety and performance, we decided to take a pair of ECR235s and the larger thirty-five tonne ECR355E for the fleet,” he continues.

The two twenty-five tonne ECR235Es are equipped with Stage V 6-litre Volvo engines, producing 174 hp, whilst their larger brother, the ECR355E, benefits from an 8-litre Stage V Volvo unit that develops 245 hp.

All three machines 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 models of machine have ample dig reach and depth, as well as impressive lifting capacities across carriage for their respective size classes. They also all feature hammer/shear circuits, quick fit hydraulics and hose rupture valves fitted to both boom and dipper cylinders as standard.

The recently delivered reduced swing excavators join a comprehensive plant fleet that includes: general purpose excavators, compact excavators, wheeled loaders, articulated haulers and additional complementary equipment. “We are that impressed with the reduced swing machines from Volvo that we feel these will become the norm for our business moving forwards,” concludes Derek Nicol.