Multiple choice - A Volvo EC300D high reach with four working heights

The UK’s Sheffield based Hague Plant has taken delivery of a Volvo EC300D tracked excavator that has been supplied with a Kocurek-designed high reach front end that can be configured to provide working heights of 21 m (68.8 ft), 18.5 m (60.7 ft), 15 m (49.2 ft) and 12 m (39.4 ft). This front end can be quickly changed to a standard dig boom through the use of Kocurek’s hydraulic modular joint. Maximum tool weights at these heights are 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 tonnes respectively, including quick coupler. At its full 21 m, the machine has a maximum forward reach of 11 m (36 ft).

The EC300D started out life at an operating weight of 30 tonnes. On the modified machine, a bolt-in counterweight section is fitted between the main superstructure and standard counterweight rather than underneath the carrier. A full Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) has been fitted to the superstructure and the belly plates have been reinforced with heavy duty steel sections. The boom cylinder casings have been enlarged to allow a larger oil volume to provide greater lift capacity for the high reach and the main turret has been fitted with safety rails and kick plates for safe access to the top of the structure. As a result, in its 21 m configuration Hague’s EC300D weighs in at 44.8 tonnes.

A 30° hydraulically tilting cab is fitted that has been modified for the demands of the demolition role. These include five layer laminated glass front screen and roof screens, and a heavy duty FOGS guard anchored to the structure of the machine. Power comes from a Volvo six cylinder D8H Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB diesel delivering 170 kW (228 hp).

“We’ve run Volvo equipment for many years now and are more than pleased with the overall back up and service support as well as good machine reliability,” said general manager William Hague. “Based on current demand we needed to add yet another bespoke demolition rigged excavator to our fleet and decided upon the EC300D due to our past experiences, the flexibility of the specification and the overall package on offer from Volvo,” he continues.