Is the sentiment of Darren George, Managing Director of Walsall-based Redmill Construction Ltd, as he reflects on his recent experience purchasing two of the company’s first ever excavators from SMT GB.
“When we first started up, we hired in machines and equipment for the projects we were undertaking,” explains Darren.
“With steady growth, this year we’ve been in a position to make some capital investments in plant and looked to purchase a couple of fourteen-tonne excavators for the first time.It was SMT GB who had the right approach in dealing with us, so we felt comfortable with our relationship with them throughout the negotiations for two Volvo EC140Es,” he continues.
This, coupled to Darren’s positive past experiences operating Volvo excavators, secured the deal. “The package was right, the Volvo product has a good pedigree, with excellent residual values, and operators appreciate the machine’s performance and comfortable cab,” concludes Darren.
Both EC140Es are powered by Volvo Stage V compliant 4-cylinder engines, which develop 122 hp. The machines are also fitted with an ‘Integrated work mode control’. This system provides high efficiency, rapid dig cycles by ensuring the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed, under varying load conditions, which significantly reduces fuel consumption.
In addition, boom and arm geometry provide highly competitive digging forces and lifting capacities, which makes for faster work cycles. For example, the maximum reach with the standard 3.0m dipper arm is 8.85 metres, whilst the maximum dig depth is a generous 6.0 metres. In this configuration, the lifting capacity at full reach across the carriage equals 1.9 tonnes. Hose rupture valves are fitted as standard to the boom and dipper cylinders, as are quick fit hydraulics and a hammer/shear service.
The two new arrivals have been supplied with an SMT GB Level 2 ENHANCE service agreement. This means the machines will be maintained by highly qualified SMT engineers, using genuine Volvo parts at the correct service intervals. “Having SMT GB take care of the general maintenance and using CareTrack to monitor the general performance of the machines will help to keep them in tip-top condition, which will keep residual values high when it becomes time to change,” says Darren.
Darren George’s company was established in February 2017. Redmill Construction Ltd is located in Walsall, West Midlands, and specialises in general groundworks, drainage and foundation work for commercial and domestic property developments throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands.
