Wordingham Plant Hire Ltd of Binham, near Fakenham, Norfolk, has opted for a package of Volvo compact excavators for the first time, thanks to a longstanding relationship with Volvo dealers, Contractors Equipment Sales Ltd of Norwich.
The machines chosen by the company include two, zero-swing 2.5-tonne ECR25Ds and five larger 5-tonne reduced-swing ECR50Ds, following a competitive demonstration and comprehensive machine evaluation according to Director, Andy Wordingham. “We’ve had a very good relationship with the team at CES for many years and this has played a part in us deciding on taking Volvo compact excavators for the first time,” says Andy. “Up until now, we’ve run a mixed fleet of excavators but recently took the decision to standardize on our preferred models of three tonnes and above. Having had the machines on evaluation, with positive feedback from our own operators and customers alike, we decided the Volvo machines would be our machines of choice,” he continues.
Joining a comprehensive range of equipment including telehandlers, site dumpers, backhoe-loaders, cherry pickers and site dumpers which is deployed on either operated or non-operated hire, the new ECR25Ds and ECR50Ds have been supplied with a full range of buckets and quick-fits by SMT GB’s utility dealer for Norfolk and Suffolk – Contractors Equipment Sales Ltd (CES).
The ECR25D is the smallest zero-swing model in the Volvo compact excavator range and is powered by a 1.1-litre low-emission engine developing 21hp. With an operating weight of 2.5 tonnes, the ECR25D is available with a choice of short or long dipper arms giving a reach of either 4.48 metres or 4.77meters and a dig depth measuring 2.67 metres up to a generous 2.96 metres.
The ECR50D features a fuel-efficient Volvo D2.6A four-cylinder engine which brings a useful power increase too, with 41.8hp. Eco-plus preset engine rpm modes and an auto-idle function let the operator make the most of the machine’s power and economy. With load sensing, variable displacement hydraulics, plus flow sharing and proportional controls, the ECR50D also brings big machine capability to a compact package. With auxiliary lines and 75-litres/min oil flow, it offers much more than just the ability to dig holes.
The zero or short radius swing excavator design provides exceptional stability and is ideal for working in confined spaces. Simultaneous control of slew and offset movements provides faster, more precise performance and all hydraulic functions are performed in total independence for more control and less delay when handling multiple tasks. An added bonus is the ability to operate the wide range of hydraulic attachments using proportional control if required.
Automatic, two-speed travel engages when operating in high speed mode, automatically shifting gear from high to low according to the travel load. Another feature for increased efficiency is the standard auto-idling system that lowers engine speed to idle if a control is not used for five seconds. The engine reverts to the pre-selected speed almost instantly when any control is moved. This system delivers lower fuel consumption, longer engine life and less environmental noise.
Established in1987 by Managing Director, Peter Wordingham, Wordingham Plant Hire is very much a family-run business employing twenty-five people comprising machine operators, two mobile engineers and delivery drivers besides the members of the family. The company came about at that time simply because Peter, who had been a pig farmer up until then, wanted to hire a digger to repair a water pipe on his farm. “I couldn’t hire one for love nor money, so decided to take matters into my own hands and bought a second-hand digger for myself. After that the machine (and me) were in constant demand in the locality, so we gave up pig farming and haven’t looked back since!” says Peter.
Today the company has a well-established portfolio of regular clients in the north Norfolk vicinity including bespoke house builders, Norfolk County Council and national aggregates suppliers operating in the locality.
Contractors Equipment Sales Ltd (CES) of Harrier Way, Norwich, is SMT GBs utility equipment dealer covering Norfolk and Suffolk marketing the full range of Volvo compact excavators from 1.5 to 9 tonnes in operating weight.
SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products which include wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres, a dedicated National Used Equipment Centre and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
