Another Volvo addition for Powell Plant & Contractors

by Nick Drew | Mon 22 Sep 2014

Another Volvo addition for Powell Plant & Contractors

Will Powell, proprietor of Reigate based Powell Plant & Contractors has taken delivery of a new ECR235D reduced swing excavator for his hire and contracting business.

Established in 1987, Powell Plant & Contractors has built a sound reputation in forestry works, general groundworks and landscaping contracts, specializing in the construction and maintenance of lakes and ponds and undertaking unique projects on behalf of the National Trust. Since purchasing his first Volvo, an EC140BLC back in May 2004, Will Powell has owned and operated a succession of Volvo excavators and compact excavators and has now opted for Volvo’s reduced swing ECR235D. “Typically for the majority of work we do we need the compactness of the reduced swing machine and whilst the ECR145D has been a good all round performer we needed to go one size larger,” explained Mr Powell. “I’m really impressed with the balance and stability of the ECR235D - it certainly exceeds my expectations.”

The ECR235D supplied to Powell Plant has been equipped specifically for the typical contracts the company undertakes and includes a dozer blade, hammer-shear circuit and at the business end, a Steelwrist X26 tiltrotator. To facilitate the addition of the tiltrotator quick hitch and a selection of attachments which include pallet forks, grading bucket, tree grapple, shear, ripper tooth and grading beam the machine has been fitted with a 2.5m dipper arm. “This still gives plenty of reach but ensures the machine is correctly balanced to handle the tiltrotator and all the attachments,” says Will Powell. “Yes this was a significant investment but the combination of the machine and Steelwrist tiltrotator with the end attachments significantly improves productivity on site and will pay dividends in a relatively short period,” he continues.

The ECR235D is equipped with a Stage IIIB 6 litre Volvo engine producing 172 hp which 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. Equipped with a 5.7m monobloc boom and 2.5m dipper arm, the maximum reach is a generous 9.5 metres and lifting capacity across carriage at full reach is an impressive 3.1 tonnes. The machine’s balance and stability is enhanced thanks to the fitting of 700mm track pads and dozer blade giving an operating weight of 27.5 tonnes. The Steelwrist X26 is a very powerful tiltrotator featuring a heavy duty design and the power needed to work with excavators with an operating weight of between 20 and 26 tonnes. The design ensures a smooth operation in both tilt and rotation which puts Will Powell in full control of the action.

To get the most out of the X26 and the ECR235D Volvo utilises the Steelwrist X Control system which is the most versatile on the market. The Steelwrist X26 complete with a front pin locking quick coupler has also been equipped with a four finger gripper unit making it even more versatile. It can be used to pick up and move heavy objects eliminating the need for additional lifting equipment. The X26 is always equipped with one extra hydraulic outlet so additional hydraulic attachments such as selector grabs or tress shears can be connected.

For added versatility Will Powell has opted for some additional special attachments, namely Steelwrist pallet forks; an Agcon 3m Grading Beam, an Agcon Tree shear, a sorting grapple and a selection of digging and grading buckets. Will Powell has also recently replaced his ECR28 zero swing compact excavator for a new Volvo ECR25D zero swing machine which was supplied by Volvo’s utility dealer for Kent, Surrey and Sussex – Glosrose Mechanical Handling.

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