WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – MACHINERY
Comfort and convenience WITH A LARGER CAB AND EASY ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE, VOLVO’S EC220D EXCAVATOR IS THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE FOR LITCHFIELD GREEN WASTE RECYCLERS. MANAGER JAMIE SPILSBURY EXPLAINS.
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t’s fair to say that Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers (LGWR) is impressed with Volvo’s EC220D excavator. Since purchasing a first unit in 2017, LGWR has added an extra two to its fleet, with plans to add another later this year. LGWR Manager Jamie Spilsby says the EC220D excavator is now a core part of the company’s services in the Northern Territory. “We cover a lot of different aspects, such as land clearing, mulching, stage one of earthworks and bulk haulage as well,” Jamie says. Catering from small private jobs, up to the largest of corporate clients, LGWR specialises in tree mulching and land clearing in Darwin. The EC220D excavator is used for each, as well as feeding LGWR’s 800 horsepower mulching equipment. CAB COMFORT LGWR uses a range of attachments with the 22 tonne EC220D excavator – general buckets and tilt buckets support mulch feeding, and the attachable timber shear and log grab are used for land clearing.
Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers deploys its EC220D excavator for mulching.
A new electro-hydraulic system and main control valve can control the on-demand flows when using these attachments, resulting in shorter cycle times and improved fuel efficiency. Oil flows for each attachment can also be regulated from the cab, with the internal electronic control unit able to store 20 individual settings. Jamie says he was immediately impressed with the machine’s cab size. As he explains, the EC220D excavator has helped to look after some of LGWR’s taller operators. “We have a few guys who are taller than 6’4. The squarer-shaped cab gives our operators easier access
“The main factor that attracted us to the Volvo models was CJD’s aftersales support and spare parts.” Jamie Spilsby, Manager, Litchfield Green Waste Recyclers
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when entering and exiting the machine,” he says. “Other models that have the rounded cab and windows can be awkward for some of our taller operators. Some of the taller guys have to pull the seat forward when they get in,” he jokes. The EC220D excavator has a ‘D-series’ cab, built with a focus on maximising visibility and comfort. The cab is supported on hydraulic dampening mounts to reduce shock and vibration levels. It also has a sound absorbing lining, reducing noise levels. An integrated air-conditioning and heating system controls the climate, with air distributed through 14 vents. IN-HOUSE SERVICING Projects for LGWR usually take place in demanding environments such as torrential downpours or extremely dusty. Jamie says the EC220D excavator
