The EW230C ... superior stability.
VOLVO Construction Equipment (VCE) has introduced its largest wheel excavator to date — the EW230C, which is said to offer superior stability in heavier lift operations.
“The EW230C is built around a new, more robust platform, which is designed to ensure the stability needed to manage bigger loads, for heavy lifting applications, such as laying big pipe for drainage projects, or hard digging,” explains Bill Law, director, external communications, VCE.
A benefit of this platform for a machine in this 20-tonne weight class is that its design ensures that the rear axle weight, when fitted with the standard counterweight, is below 12 tonnes — making it suitable for road travel between sites, he says.
A heavier counterweight is also available for applications not requiring the machine to be moved on the road.
With the standard counterweight, the EW230C weighs 21.6 to 24.3 tonnes, depending on machine configuration (23.1 to 25.6 tonnes with the heavier counterweight.)
A choice of 5.7 m mono or optional articulated two-piece boom is available.
The EW230C is powered by a Volvo D6E EHE3 diesel engine, developing 125 kW/168 hp net at 2,000 rpm, delivering power where it is needed.
Law says the EW230C has a lift capacity among the best in its class, when required for mass excavation work, or in heavy lifting applications, optimising performance and productivity.
Additional features of the EW230C include:
• Access to the superstructure via steps, enabling easy servicing and routine maintenance checks, to minimise down time;
• New and higher capacity cooling module;
• Load-sensing hydraulic system featuring two pumps — one for the attachment and travel and a second, closed-loop slew pump;
• Slew ring from the larger EC240C, for increased strength and durability in tough working conditions;
• Larger hydraulic cylinders; and
• Digging forces 10 to 15 per cent greater than on the recently-launched EW210C.
In common with all Volvo excavators, 95 per cent of the machine is recyclable.
“As one of Volvo's core values, environmental care is central to Volvo’s thinking when it comes to designing, manufacturing and operating machines,” says Law.
The EW230C will be on display at Intermat 2009 — a construction machinery exhibition next month (April 20 to 25) in Paris, France.
It will be fitted with Volvo's automatic lubrication system, which not only ensures correct lubrication, but also reduces lubricant use by 50 per cent, he adds.
VCE's product range includes wheeled and crawler excavators (diggers), articulated haulers (dumpers, dumptrucks), scraper haulers, wheel loaders, pipe-layers, demolition equipment, waste handlers, motor graders, pavers, compactors, milling equipment, tack distributors, road wideners, material transfer vehicles and a range of compact equipment such as mini-loaders, mini-excavators, backhoe loaders and skid-steer loaders.
Its products and services are offered in more than 125 countries through proprietary or independent dealerships.
VCE machines are being used in quarries and aggregates, energy-related industries (oil and gas), heavy infrastructure, utilities, road construction, building, demolition, recycling industry, industrial material handling, and forestry industry.
