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Volvo excavators get Trimble GPS

W M Donald Ltd of Netherley, Stonehaven, has recently added a 22-tonne EC220E and a 25-tonne EC250E to its plant fleet. Both machines are replacing existing Volvo excavators in a mixed fleet of equipment, and have been equipped with the Trimble GPS Earthworks grade control platform, which allows them to operate semi-automatically. The EC220E and EC250E excavators are powered by six- and eight-cylinder Volvo Stage V engines, developing 174 and 213hp respectively. Hammer/shear lines, along with hose rupture valves, are mounted on the boom and dipper cylinders as standard features on all Volvo excavators.

The two new arrivals have been put to work on housebuilding projects in Dundee and Aberdeen, as well as laying in sewers and utilities. The larger EC250E is perfectly equipped to tackle larger earthmoving and lifting jobs on site. “It doesn’t sound much, but that extra three tonnes of operating weight and the larger engine capacity gives us greater flexibility on the larger sites we are currently working on,” explains Managing Director, Willie Donald. “The stability is impressive and it’s proving to be ideal for lifting the larger trench boxes and six-tonne manholes with excellent stability, even at full reach.”

W M Donald is a family-run business that began trading in 1977. It has since evolved into one of the largest and most successful civil engineering companies in the north-east of Scotland. The company’s commitment to its team, its clients and to the continuous improvement of the construction industry as a whole was highlighted when W M Donald was recognised for ‘Excellence in Health & Safety’ at the 2016 Trades Awards, and as the ‘Best Trades Business, 11+ Employees’ at the 2017 Trades Awards. In addition to this, W M Donald won ‘Business of the Year’ at the 2018 Northern Star Business Awards, which was organised by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

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