Volvo showcases emissions-compliant machines

Volvo Construction Equipment has launched new wheeled loaders, excavators and articulated haulers to comply with Europe's Stage IIIB and US Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations.

The latest machines on display at the company's Eskilstuna facility in Sweden were fitted with Volvo's new V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology) diesel engines. These feature cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters with active regeneration - a process which burns away the soot that collects in the filter when it reaches set limits.

This technology has produced fuel savings of up to -15% on some machines, notably the company's first 35 tonne wheeled loader, the L250G.

Designed to match the needs of on-highway trucks, the L250G is fitted with Volvo's 290 kW (394 hp), turbocharged V-ACT diesel engine, which produces the fuel saving by optimising transmission, drivelines and introducing load-sensing hydraulics.

Fuel efficiency

Arvid Rinaldo, Volvo Construction Equipment's global market communications manager, said the new engines combined the company's core aim of lowering the environmental impact of its machines and improving fuel efficiency across its range.

"We see this new legislation as very positive and have fined tuned our technology using the experience available from the whole Volvo toolbox.

"The impact on the end user is minimal," Mr Rinaldo added, "Regeneration of the particulate filter is totally automatic, and the filter is changed as part of a normal service after 4500 hours".

Also on display at Eskilstuna was Volvo's new high lift wheeled loader - the L180G. This machine is fitted with a 246 kW Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB compliant engine that is married to drive train, hydraulics and the lifting arm systems and has also demonstrated fuel efficiency savings of up to 15%.

In addition, Volvo showcased two new models for its new generation of D-Series excavators - the Stage IIIB / Tier IV Interim-complaint EC380D and EC480D tracked excavators. Making their debut in Europe, the new machines weigh between 38 tonnes to 50,5 tonnes and have been designed for heavy digging and lifting operations.

The EC380D is powered by a 208 kW engine, while the larger EC480D is powered by a 245 kW engine. Both machines feature an automatic idling system that reduces engine speed when the levers and pedals are not activated - aiding fuel efficiency.

Traction control

And Volvo's28 tonne EC250D and 33 tonne EC300D excavators were also introduced to the European market. Both machines are fitted with Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB-compliant Volvo engines delivering lower emissions and fuel efficiency improvements of between 9% and 13%. Maximum power is 151 kW (202 hp) for the EC250D and 169 kW (227 hp) for the EC300D.

Also new are the F-Series articulated dump trucks (ADTs). Ranging from the 24 tonne A25F up to the 39 tonne A40F, each model features an Automatic Traction Control (ATC) system as standard which automatically disengages the rear axle when not needed, eliminating tire skid when cornering and reducing tire wear, but kicks in again when it senses slippage.

The new F-Series haulers also meet the requirements of Stage IIIB and Tier 4 Interim emissions legislation, and are said to be +4% more fuel efficient than their E-Series predecessors.

Volvo Construction Equipment's new president and chief executive, Pat Olney, said the company plans to launch more than 50 new machines this year. Mr Olney said the comprehensive programme of investment and renewal was timed to coincide with strengthening global construction markets, and involved a "significant rethink" of the company's traditional product offering.