Abu Dhabi-based contractor Al Jaber Contracting is set to boost its fleet of its newly-acquired Volvo Construction Equipment L30B compact wheel loader to 46 within months of receiving its first unit.

''Al Jaber Contracting received the first L30B compact wheel loader on a trial basis at the beginning of the year. Within a month of field trials, the company Al Jaber ordered a further 15 loaders,'' says a spokesman for the Sweden-headquartered Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE).

On delivery of these L30B compact loaders by Volvo's local distributor Al Futtaim Auto Machinery Company, Al Jaber - now recognising the machine's potential and having re-evaluated its requirements - has now ordered another 30 units to replace an existing competitive marque's tool carriers.

With seven units being delivered early this month and the remaining 23 in September, it will make Al Jaber, with 46 units, the largest fleet owner in the Middle East, says VCE.

According to Al Futtaim's sales manager, Anwar-ul-Haq, Al Jaber appreciated the versatility and manoeuvrability of the Volvo L30B loader - a sentiment endorsed by Mr Rabah, Al Jaber's project manager on the new township at Samha West.

The new town, straddling Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road, linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has to date seen more than 300 middle-income, walled two-storey villas constructed. Al Jaber has completed phase one of its contract to install water and electric utility 'manholes' around the villas, prepare parking areas and road markings.

Two of the first Volvo L30Bs were delivered four months ago and, according to Mr Rabah, played a key role on the contract.

"Both loaders proved ideal for the project, particularly when manoeuvring in the compact areas between the walled villas," says Mr Rabah. "They do the same work as larger units, but faster."

On completion of phase one in July, Al Jaber started work on the adjacent identical six-month phase two, installing more than 200 manhole chambers.

Once again, the Volvo L30B compact loaders will play a key multi-application role in the project, confirms Mr Rabah.

Featuring a 100 per cent differential lock, the Volvo L30B compact wheel loader is ideally suited to cope with the most difficult of terrains, says the VCE spokesman.

The unit has Volvo's Z-bar linkage, which allows for a powerful loading and production ability. This 5-tonne machine has a maximum versatility in a wide range of applications and features quick operating cycles and superb performance.

The Volvo L30B has a bucket capacity of 0.9 cu m, and breakout force of 51.5 kN and tipping load at full turn of 3,350 kg.

With first-class operator comfort and a remarkable payload the Volvo L30B compact loader has a maximum speed of 20/30 km/hr, the spokesman says.

Volvo Construction Equipment is a major international company developing, manufacturing and marketing equipment for construction and related industries. Its products include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders and compact equipment.

VCE is part of the Volvo Group, a world-leading manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial engines, and aerospace systems and components.