“The deciding factor is the support…”

So says Adam Fox, Strategic Operations Manager at Fox (Owmby) Ltd as the company makes a significant investment in a new seventy tonne Volvo EC700C and three new Volvo A40G articulated haulers.

Advertisement

Specialists in overburden stripping for the extractive industry nationwide, Fox (Owmby) Ltd already had a taste for operating a Volvo EC700C which they had on long term hire during 2014 working in conjunction with 40 tonne trucks. “Working the combination of excavator and trucks as a team proved to be very successful on a variety of contracts, but hiring them long term wasn’t a viable option,” comments Adam Fox.

Having looked at the marketplace the decision to opt for the package on offer from Volvo Construction Equipment was a close run thing according to Mr Fox. “At the end of the day we considered that the after-market support and working relationships with our potential supplier would be the deciding factor in our purchasing decision,” continues Adam. “We have a first class rapport with Volvo’s support team, the local support centre and key support personnel at their Duxford head office – we know who we are talking to and we know we’ll get their full support every time we need it,” he says.   

The combination of the EC700C and A40G articulated haulers mark the largest Volvo products to be purchased by Fox (Owmby) Ltd in its history so far, having had over 30 years’ experience running Volvo 25 and 30 tonne trucks and excavators up to 46 tonnes in operating weight. “We know this new combination works from our experience last year which will make us even more competitive in the overburden removal sector within the extractive business going forward,” says Adam Fox. These latest additions bring the Fox fleet of articulated haulers to a total of 20 – all of which are Volvo’s and 14 excavators which are predominantly Volvo.

With a carrying capacity of 39 tonnes and heaped capacity of 24.7m³ including the optional side extensions and overhung tailgates taken by Fox (Owmby) Ltd as standard, the Volvo A40G has a maximum speed of 57kph. Powered by the latest Tier IV final Volvo 16 litre engine delivering 347kW net horsepower, it features high torque at low engine speeds, resulting in good fuel efficiency, high performance, quicker engine response and a longer service life due to less wear. The whole powertrain is designed and purpose built ensuring the best use is made of the available power and torque, even in tough working conditions. The engine in the drivetrain is matched to a torque converter with built in lock-up function and fitted with a fully automatic fast adaptive transmission. 

The drivetrain features Volvo’s Automatic Traction Control (ATC) system as standard, which prevents operators leaving their haulers permanently set in all-wheel drive mode, even when not needed, for example on good or paved roads, when only 6X4 drive is required. ATC automatically disengages the rear axle when not needed; eliminating tire skid when cornering and reducing tire wear. However, when ATC system does sense slippage, the longitudinal differential lock and the 6X6 clutch are engaged together: this gives the hauler the optimum traction in all conditions.

Volvo’s flagship 70 tonne EC700C excavator is similarly fitted with the 16 litre engine but is exempt from the Tier IV final treatment. Developing 430 nett hp the engine operates 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. A maximum torque of 2250Nm is achieved at just 1350r/min and this in conjunction with the machine’s advanced hydraulic system ensures maximum fuel efficiency is achieved through every work cycle.  Equipped in mass excavation configuration as delivered to Fox (Owmby) Ltd, the EC700C offers a maximum reach of 11.2 metres, a digging depth of 7.25 metres and an impressive lifting capacity across carriage at full reach of 12.4 tonnes.  

Both the excavator and haulers are equipped with CareTrack as standard. Volvo’s telematics system enables remote monitoring of a wide range of machine functions (e.g. location, fuel consumption, service reminders etc.) thus optimizing customer operations.