Volvo’s new Material Handler fits the bill for Grundon

by Nick Drew | Tue 22 Jan 2019

Volvo’s new Material Handler fits the bill for Grundon

Grundon Waste Management Ltd has taken delivery of a new Volvo EW240E materials handler for its Colnbrook operation following a successful demonstration and evaluation.

Replacing a competitive model, the new Volvo EW240E MHE takes up residence at the company’s Waste Transfer and Material Recovery Facility at Colnbrook handling segregated waste destined for the nearby incineration plant or for landfill. Whilst Grundon has operated Volvo equipment for many years on the aggregate side of their business, this is the first Volvo materials handler the company has purchased. “We were looking for a change of supplier and the Volvo performed very well on demonstration but to be quite honest, our decision came down to the best deal on offer at the time,” comments Steve Fisher, Grundon’s Divisional Recovery and Resources Manager. “We also listened to the opinions of our operators who gave the Volvo the thumbs up and so far we’ve been very pleased with the way the machine is settling in here at Colnbrook.”

While the transfer station operates around the clock, seven days a week, the new charge operates a twelve-hour shift, loading high-sided bulkers which either transfer segregated waste to the incineration plant or transport to landfill. It also feeds a high-capacity mobile shredder which reduces larger and diverse material down to a size that can be accepted for burning. In total, some 50,000 tonnes of waste will be handled by the machine each year. Powered by a six-cylinder Volvo engine developing 171 nett hp, the EW240E offers the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication. For example, pump flow is controlled for combined equipment and slewing operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, whilst maintaining lift capacity and maximum swing torque. When Eco-mode is selected, the machine provides better fuel efficiency without loss of performance in most operating conditions. The Volvo Care Cab offers a large roomy interior with plenty of leg room and foot space. The excellent ‘all round’ visibility is enhanced by pressurized and filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent, climate control system. An adjustable eas-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real time information of the machine functions. The EW240MHE offers the operator the benefit of maximum visibility around the work area, thanks to the hydraulically raised and lowered cab with a maximum elevation of 5.7 metres. The new EW240E has been supplied with a 6.5m straight boom and 4m sorting arm whilst Grundon has sourced and specified their own 1.5 tonne Arden selector grab for the business end of the machine. Thus rigged, the EW240E materials handler provides a maximum forward reach of 10 metres and a maximum height of 12 metres measured at the attachment pin. With an optimum 800-litre capacity grab, the machine has a generous 3.7 tonnes lifting capacity at maximum reach across carriage with its outriggers down. To facilitate grab rotation, the machine is equipped with x3 hydraulics along with x1 hammer/shear hydraulics and hose rupture valves fitted as standard.

Other options which have been added to the machine include a Fireward fire suppression system, Groeneveld twin greasing system and flashing rear blue strobe lights. The machine also sports highly visible chevrons on its counterweight which are made out of micro-prismatic vinyl sections. The machine has been provided with an extended warranty package and will be covered by a Volvo Blue service agreement which means its regular maintenance will be carried out by Volvo trained technicians using genuine Volvo parts at the correct service intervals. Grundon is the UK’s largest family-owned supplier of integrated waste management and environmental services. Operating from depots across the south of England, the company works in partnership with its customers to help minimise the financial and environmental impact of waste. Founded in 1929, Grundon provide a total waste management service for the reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal of waste. This includes the collection, treatment, recovery, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous waste streams, in addition to dealing with all aspects of hazardous waste, including contaminated waste, clinical and healthcare waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The company is also active in the extraction and production of a broad range of aggregates and minerals for the construction, landscaping and leisure markets. Every facet of the company’s business is underpinned by its extensive fleet of 300+ road going vehicles ranging from waste collection vehicles, skip lorries, bulk earthmoving and aggregates lorries to high sided bulkers.

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