New Volvos take charge at G D Harries

G D Harries & Sons Ltd, the largest producer of quarried aggregates in West Wales has taken delivery of a new Volvo EC380E excavator for its Bolton Hill operation which joins a Volvo L220H loading shovel delivered there earlier this year.

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Both machines now provide a formidable double act working as the prime movers at G D Harries’ Bolton Hill Quarry located on the outskirts of Haverfordwest. The new EC380E has been deployed loading well blasted quartz diorite into the primary mobile crusher which produces stone from 9” down. Meanwhile, the 32 tonne L220H loading shovel equipped with the optional long boom and 4.9m³ spade nosed bucket is kept busy either loading the two resident 70 tonne rigid haulers or stock piling smaller grades of material on the quarry floor. This combination of excavator and loading shovel has the capacity of dispatching in excess of 2000 tonnes of crushed material to the processing plant on a daily basis.

Opting for the new Volvo machines came following a competitive tender process and were chosen thanks to a combination of an advantageous package and the expectation of operating products of good quality and reliability. “We’ve run Volvo shovels and articulated haulers for many years and know they represent exceptional value for money when it comes to longevity, reliability and productivity,” says Bolton Hill’s Quarry Manager Gareth Phillips. “The new arrivals are performing as expected and are very much appreciated by our machine operators in terms of handling, controllability and comfort.”

Launched at last year’s Hillhead exhibition, the L220H features a 13 litre stage IV final engine developing 373hp in a relatively low rpm range of between 1300 and 1400 rpm. The machine also benefits from Volvo designed and manufactured driveline components including optishift with torque converter lock up and reverse by braking feature – all designed to offer considerable fuel savings each shift. Fuel savings are further enhanced by the Volvo Eco pedal encouraging the operator to run the machine at its optimum rpm in the engine’s torque curve.

In order to load the crushed quartz diorite into the two rigid haulers, the new L220H has been equipped with the long boom option and a 4.9m³ spade nosed bucket with teeth and segments giving a generous load over height of 5.35 metres. The machine supplied to G D Harries also benefits from, 29.5 x 25 L5 Michelin XLDD2A tyres, Volvo’s optional ride control or boom suspension system for maximised load retention on load and carry duties and an automatic centralised lubrication system.

The EC380E is also equipped with a Stage IV Final 13 litre engine, developing 306 nett hp which is ideally matched to its automatic sensing mode hydraulic system. The machine’s hydraulics are perfectly matched to the engine and are controlled by an advanced system which provides on-demand flow and reduces power losses within the circuit. Volvo’s unique ECO mode contributes to significant fuel savings without any loss of performance in most operating conditions. As well as improving fuel efficiency, this increases controllability for more precise performance. Otherwise, Volvo’s integrated work mode system offers the operator a choice of five work modes according to the task in hand – I (Idle), F (Fine), G (General), H (Heavy) or P (Power max) – for optimum efficiency and machine performance. When the controls have been inactive for a pre-set amount of time, the excavator can be programmed to automatically reduce engine speed or even shut down to further reduce fuel consumption and noise. Operators can keep track of both current and average fuel consumption via a simple gauge in the cab. 

Besides fast cycle times, the EC380E offers exceptional digging geometry with a forward reach of 11.0 metres, a generous dig depth of 7.3 metres and a load over height of 7.2 metres.  

G D Harries & Sons Ltd is a family run concern established in 1977 by Gerald Harries as a haulage business. Now managed by Gerald’s son Ian, the Company has expanded into becoming the largest extractive business in West Wales operating six quarries along with an associated asphalt plant producing high quality 60+ PSV roadstone and concrete batching plant. These activities are supported by a large fleet of asphalt tippers and lorry mounted concrete mixers.  

Volvo Construction Equipment Division markets wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators,  Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.