Engineering and plant services provider Babcock and machine industry company Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) on June 26 launched the new generation of Volvo articulated haulers and excavators to the Southern African market.

This follows the global introduction of the new-generation articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and their excavator counterparts in January, with Volvo CE undertaking a stepwise introduction approach for these in international markets.

Babcock is the sole distributor of Volvo CE in Southern Africa.

The updates are part of Volvo CE’s most extensive product portfolio overhaul in decades, with over 35% of its range renewed in the past 12 months.

Speaking at the launch, held at one of Babcock’s Middleburg branches, Babcock Equipment MD David Vaughan explained that the updated portfolio had been designed to remain relevant for the long term.  

The new haulers are future-enabled owing to new software architecture which allows customers to adapt to changing needs and incorporate future upgrades and new smart solutions, allowing equipment to stay updated with technology developments.

HAULER UPDATE

The update is an overhaul of Volvo CE’s existing articulated hauler lineup, with revamped updates to the established A25, A30, A35, A40, A45 and A60 haulers, as well as the introduction of an entirely new class machine, the 45 t A50, aimed at increasing customer opportunities in the hauler segment.

Babcock will initially bring the A40, A45 and new A50 to the market in the region, while the A30 and A60 will be introduced at a later stage.

The new ADT ranks will be manufactured at Volvo’s Braås site in Sweden, specced for local conditions. Babcock will then distribute these machines through its 23 branches in Southern Africa.

The selected models making their debut are immediately available at all Babcock branches across Southern Africa, while all the relevant parts have also been stocked throughout all Babcock equipment outlets in the region prior to the launch.

Speaking to Engineering News on the sidelines of the launch, Vaughn pointed out that Babcock worked closely with Volvo prior to bringing in the new machines and undertook two weeks of technical and sales training.

Prior to this, several technicians were sent to Sweden for advanced training, to be able to train staff in South Africa.

Moreover, Vaughn informed that ten A50s had already been sold to a customer in the Middleburg area, with the order confirmed prior to the machines arriving in the country, and in the process of being delivered at the time of the launch.

He highlighted the importance of the area for Babcock, as it had many customers in the area owing to itd being in the heart of the coalfields.

In terms of the update, some key improvements include a new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission, delivering fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15% depending on the model and industrial application, with the design also built to adapt over time to fit future drivetrains.

The Volvo drivetrain with Terrain Memory aims to provide fuel efficiency without compromising on power. It is also able to identify and remember any slippery road segments.

Vaugh explained that the A45 and A50 had the in-house Volvo transmission, which would also go into the A60 when it was launched later this year.

Further sustainability features include the introduction of low-carbon-emission steel – made from recycled materials and produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas – in serial production of haulers manufactured at the Braås site, as part of the group’s overall sustainability efforts.

Conventional steel is a heavy emitter – and as one of the main components in Volvo CE’s products, critical to reduce carbon emissions. Steel constitutes about 60% of Volvo articulated haulers’ total mass and accounts for more than 50% of the machine’s total carbon footprint in the cradle-to-gate scope.

There is also simplified servicing, longer change intervals and easy component access.

Vaughan said the A50 broadened the model lineup to cover more applications, and also plugged a gap between the existing 42 t A45 and the 55 t A60.

With a 45 t payload, it is 10% more productive and 8% more fuel efficient when compared with the previous generation A45GFS.

A key feature of this machine is the full hydraulic suspension concept, which was originally pioneered by Volvo CE in 2007.

The A50 is the only full suspension machine on the market of its size class, which is indicated to provide a considerable improvement in cycle times, an increase in hauler production per operator hour and lower costs when compared to its standard suspension counterparts.

Also, the A50’s service costs are reduced by up to 6% over 12 000 hours of operation owing to simplified servicing, longer change intervals and easy component access.

EXCAVATOR UPDATE 

The new Volvo excavator range, meanwhile, comprises the EC210, EC220, EC260, EC300 and EC360.

Babcock will initially bring in the EC210, EC220 and EC300.

The range combines technology, robust design and efficiency aimed at benefitting various industrial applications.

In the 20 t to 22 t market segment, Babcock is launching the 21 t EC210, which replaces the previous EC200DL, as well as the new EC220, which replaces the old-generation EC210DL.

The two models are suited for general construction, plant hire and earthworks applications.

The larger 30 t EC300 is suitable for use in mid-size construction sites, sand works and small-scale quarrying operations.

Each of the models integrates engine-pump optimisation technology, engendering up to 15% fuel efficiency compared with previous models.

The new range features increased hydraulic flow for responsive, accurate control in digging and loading operations.

Operators can expect easier movement when digging, as well as travelling and lifting simultaneously, owing to the harmonised boom and arm movement.

The revamped cab offers improved ergonomics, intuitive controls and advanced human-machine interface systems, providing operators with enhanced visibility, reduced noise levels and efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

In recent tests conducted by Volvo CE, the EC210 delivered an up to 7% productivity edge and 14% better fuel efficiency over competitor offerings in a similar weight class, even when operated at lower revolutions per minute (RPMs).

The new EC220 was tested against the EC210, where it delivered 32% greater productivity, while maintaining similar fuel efficiency at a similar RPM.

All models are compatible with Volvo Dig Assist, an optional intelligent machine control system aimed at improving excavation precision and productivity.

Operators can use tools including real-time weighing, automated digging and smart monitoring. Additional features such as preset depth, height and swing limits are expected to improve onsite safety.