C A Blackwell invests in more medium sized excavators from Volvo

Essex based C A Blackwell (Contracts) Ltd has invested around £1.1m in a deal to replace part of its medium sized excavator fleet with eight new Volvo EC210C and three new EC290C excavators. 

This package of eleven machines coincided with the company’s four year change out policy and the start of a major road construction project taking place on the A1M in North Yorkshire. “We settled on our choice of product quite simply because of our long standing relationship and the overall package offered to us by Volvo,” commented managing director Steve Clarke. “Furthermore our own experiences of running Volvo equipment, specifically their excavator models for the last 10 years in terms of productivity and reliability and the after sales support when needed, were strong influencing factors in our purchasing decision.”

Opting for twenty one and twenty nine tonne excavators to strengthen Blackwell’s medium sized excavator fleet is also a strategic move besides satisfying the immediate need for machines on the A1M job. “We are seeing a shift in the type of contracts and work being let with a growing demand for more remediation, landfill and smaller volumes of material to be moved as opposed to the large muck shifting projects which have become few and far between,” continued Steve Clarke. “And whilst we still operate 46 tonne plus machines there is an increasing demand for more medium sized excavators offering greater flexibility for us and our clients.”

Volvo EC210C and EC290C excavators are powered by a Volvo low emission Tier III compliant engines which are precisely matched to the hydraulic system’s components and design. Developing 150 and 195 net hp respectively, an advanced mode control system ensures the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed under varying load conditions. In addition, boom and arm geometry provide highly competitive digging forces and lifting capacities, which makes for faster work cycles. Hose rupture valves are fitted as standard to the boom and dipper cylinders as are quick fit hydraulics and a hammer/shear service.

 As with all Volvo excavators, the hydraulic system is designed to function with low operator effort and high precision. To achieve maximum efficiency on a full range of job applications, the system is designed with four power modes that respond automatically to the operator’s joystick movements. The boom, arm and slew priority system, boom and arm flow regeneration, and two variable displacement piston pumps enhance the system’s performance, giving high slew torque, powerful digging forces, and fast digging and slew speeds. These features translate into faster cycle times and more efficient operation.

The specification of the new Volvo excavators delivered to Blackwell has further been enhanced with the addition of Groeneveld automatic greasing systems; Geith twin lock quick fits and Banlaw fast fuel filling systems. “In specifying these enhanced features we are one of the leaders in the field when it comes to satisfying site safety compliance,” said Mr Clarke. “These safety aids dramatically reduce the risk of potential accidents and especially reduce the impact on the environment when it comes to fuel replenishment on site.” All eleven machines have been equipped with Volvo’s ‘Caretrack Advanced’ telemetric monitoring system. CareTrack provides operational data remotely via the internet, including fuel consumption and idle time, all helping to reduce cost of ownership and maximise utilisation.

C A Blackwell (Contracts) Ltd is a civil engineering, remediation, geotechnical, earthmoving and engineering contractor. The company operates nationally with its headquarters in Earls Colne, near Colchester and regional offices at Wakefield, Swansea, Bromsgrove, Exeter and Minety near Swindon. The company was established in 1956 and has grown in a sustained and profitable manner within core business areas. 

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

October 12, 2009

For further information, please contact: - Mark Gunns          marketing services

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