Skipton Properties zero in on a Volvo ECR355E
Replacing a four-year old conventional thirty-tonne EC300E, Skipton Properties has opted for Volvo’s recently introduced reduced swing radius ECR355E for its bespoke house building projects...
Skipton Properties are no strangers to owning and operating Volvo construction equipment products, currently using compact excavators a loading shovel, an articulated hauler and an ECR145D reduced swing excavator. “The EC300 we’ve just replaced with this new reduced swing ECR355E didn’t owe us a penny,” comments Plant Manager, Roger Sadler. “We had 5,000 hours of trouble-free performance and enjoyed a very high residual value on it. In addition, the smaller ECR145 has proved the reduced swing concept for us and basically set the trend to go similar with the larger machine, so in all, it made total sense to replace the thirty-tonne machine with another Volvo.”
Specialising in bespoke house building projects, Skipton Properties require the performance and specification of a thirty-tonne plus machine for the initial bulk muck shifting on project starts besides lifting 1,200mm retention pipes, man hole rings and concrete sewage pipe sections weighing up to 7.25 tonnes. “The new reduced swing ECR355E gives us an added dimension on most of the sites we work on which are often very confined spaces”, explains Roger. “Taking the optional dozer blade has been another good decision as it means the machine can clean up around itself and reduces the need for another machine on site.”
Powered by a six-cylinder D8 Volvo engine developing 243 nett hp, the ECR355E offers the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication. For example, pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, whilst maintaining digging power and maximum swing torque. When Eco-mode is selected, the machine provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions.
The Volvo Care Cab offers a large roomy interior with plenty of leg room and foot space. The excellent all round visibility is enhanced by pressurized and filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent, climate control system. An adjustable easy-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real time information of the machine functions.
The new Volvo ECR355E has been supplied on wider than standard 800mm track pads along with the optional factory fitted dozer blade specially extended to cover the width of the tracks. Thus configured, the rear tail swing of the machine’s counterweight when across carriage is a mere 300mm allowing the ECR355E to work in extremely confined spaces. The equipment is in standard backacter configuration with a 6.2 meter monobloc boom and a 3.05 meter dipper arm together with a Tefra hydraulic quick hitch and a 66” wide 2.0m³ heavy duty bucket.
This combination gives the ECR355E a wide operating range with forward reach measured at 10.6 metres, a digging depth of 7.0 metres and a practical load over height of 7.8 metres. Weighing in at 37.5 tonnes, the ECR355E mounted on the wider 800mm track pads offers a generous lifting capacity of 4.37 tonnes at full reach across carriage in the worst position making it highly versatile lifting sewer rings into position as well as for bulk muck shifting. To enhance the machine’s versatility, the optional X3 rotation circuit has been added to the standard hammer shear circuit and both converted to give the operator full proportional control of both functions.