Volvo Construction Equipment’s Standard Demolition machine package has been presented with the Innovation Award in the Series Product category at the industry’s gala awards dinner. The event, organized by Demolition & Recycling International magazine, was held on November 6th at Amsterdam’s Okura Hotel, as part of the first Demolition Summit, and saw leading demolition specialists from around the world gather for the inaugural Demolition Awards.
“It’s always nice to have one’s efforts recognized, but to be awarded this prize by the industry itself is really encouraging,” said Volvo’s Derrick Butterfield, Global Manager, Marketing Design. “We recognize that the demolition sector has specific needs, not least in increased operator safety, but also in performance and durability. Our Standard Demolition Package addresses all of these criteria in a tailor made, easy-to-specify way for customers.”
Anything but standard
Addressing the needs of recycling applications, Volvo Construction Equipment’s range of excavators is adapted to cope with the rigours of demolition duties. The six models in the Standard Demolition Excavator series are the EC210CLD, EC240CLD, EC290CLD, EC360CLD, EC460CLD and EC700CLD excavators. The machines keep all the attributes of the base excavator but offer increased protection for the machine and its operator – while at the same time offering hydraulic upgrades that allow the machine to act as a multi-function tool carrier.
Stripping, cutting, pulverizing, crushing, separating, and finishing: demolition excavators are called upon to conduct a variety of diverse operations. Attachments such as concrete pulverisers, scrap grapples, hammers, shears and multi-processors all require different hydraulic set ups: extra lines or different hydraulic flows. Consequently, the new range of standard demolition excavators allows the versatility to change attachments easily (via a quick coupler) and auxiliary hydraulic piping is pre-fitted.
Body armour
In addition to a wide undercarriage and long tracks for stability over uneven ground, the new demolition range features extensive protection upgrades. Full length track guards protect against derailing and track links and bottom rollers defend against undue wear when working on uneven ground. Heavy duty plating fitted to the track frame and on the underside of the superstructure protects against sharp debris. For easier maintenance, service access plates are hinged and the bolt holes recessed. The swing ring bearing has an additional steel jacket to prevent wire, rebar, and cable etc. getting wound up and damaging the bearing seal, grease pipe etc.
The superstructure of Volvo CE’s demolition excavators also features extensive upgrades. The side impact protection system protects against collision damage during swing manoeuvres. Reinforced, double thickness door panels are fitted to both sides to protect key components and micro mesh is fitted to the inside of the cooler door and engine cowl to prevent fine particles getting through to the radiators.
Boom and bucket cylinders plus hoses are protected by guards that ward off crush, tear or puncture damage when working in close proximity to demolition debris. The cab-mounted Falling Object Guard (FOG) protects the operator while not obscuring the view of the work area. The FOG can be tilted up to allow easy cleaning of the windscreen – and the tinted glass is also shatter resistant. Operator fatigue is reduced via shock damping and a multi-adjustable seat. Finally, air conditioning and a pressurised cab keep the operator comfortable and the dust and fumes outside, in what are often aggressive environments.
Picture caption:
Volvo’s Tony Thorpe (right) collects the Innovation Award from judging panel member John Woodward and event hostess Mariska Hulscher.