Volvo's EC380E makes a big impact in the sand pit

by Nick Drew | Mon 17 Aug 2015

Volvo's EC380E makes a big impact in the sand pit

"Quality and value for money….’ Summarises the purchasing decision for a brand new Volvo EC380E according to Paul Drayton, Area Production Manager for Hampshire based New Milton Sand & Ballast Ltd.

New Milton Sand & Ballast is a family run business that has been producing sands and gravels in South Hampshire and East Dorset since 1936. The company has had a long association with Volvo operating various Volvo loading shovels at its facilities since the early 1980’s. It has now has added a thirty eight tonne EC380E to its fleet which takes charge as the prime mover at the company’s Hurn Court Farm Quarry.

“We needed to replace the existing machine with a larger capacity excavator to assist in reducing cycle times as the extraction area gets further from the plant here at Hurn Court,” explains Mr Drayton. “We had tried the smaller EC220D on loan to us from one of our associate companies for a short period and were impressed with its performance and production capabilities and not least our operator’s positive feedback. All of this together with a competitive package on offer including a service contract for the larger EC380E meant we were buying a quality product and getting value for money at the same time,” he continues. Equipped with a Stage IV Final 13 litre engine, the EC380E develops 306 nett hp and is ideally matched to its automatic sensing mode hydraulic system. The machine’s hydraulics are perfectly matched to the engine and are controlled by an advanced system which provides on-demand flow and reduces power losses within the circuit. Volvo’s unique ECO mode contributes to significant fuel savings without any loss of performance in most operating conditions.

As well as improving fuel efficiency, this increases controllability for more precise performance. Otherwise, Volvo’s integrated work mode system offers the operator a choice of five work modes according to the task in hand – I (Idle), F (Fine), G (General), H (Heavy) or P (Power max) – for optimum efficiency and machine performance. When the controls have been inactive for a pre-set amount of time, the excavator can be programmed to automatically reduce engine speed or even shut down to further reduce fuel consumption and noise. Operators can keep track of both current and average fuel consumption via a simple gauge in the cab. Besides fast cycle times, the EC380E offers exceptional digging geometry with a forward reach of 11.0 metres, a generous dig depth of 7.3 metres and a load over height of 7.2 metres. The machine supplied to New Milton Sand & Ballast has been supplied with a hydraulic quick fit, a general purpose bucket and a heavy duty grading bucket. “So far we’ve not been disappointed with our purchasing decision,” says Paul Drayton. “The machine is certainly ticking all of the boxes.” New Milton Sand & Ballast is the premier processor in South West Hampshire and West Dorset for construction aggregates and sands. The company also supplies recycled sands and aggregates as well as a large range of decorative shingle and chippings from local and nationwide sources. It specialises in reprocessing waste into recycled materials, supplying ready mixed concrete and screed as well as bagged products to trade and retail customers.

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