Volvo EC18D a Jack of all Trades for Willie Paterson
A Volvo EC18D compact excavator has established a niche for itself with owners W T Paterson Joinery & Building – working on a whole spectrum of property maintenance duties at the huge glass manufacturing facility in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
The 1.8 tonne compact excavator was supplied to proprietor Willie Paterson by SMT GB’s utility dealer, Rockbreakers UK, and replaces an older EC15B which was originally purchased back in 2005. “We’ve been really pleased with the original machine and that prompted us to replace it with the enhanced EC18D with the extending tracks and two-speed travel,” says Willie. “The machine does everything we want of it on site from getting into quite restricted areas to clean out conveyor belts, breaking concrete to expose broken water mains, maintaining ditches and water courses on the property boundaries and general ground maintenance,” he says. “We have the usual assortment of buckets. A hydraulic hammer and, more recently, we’ve added a hedge and ground cover cutter which runs off of the third line.”
The Volvo EC18D features a D0.9A Volvo diesel engine that meets the latest EPA Stage-IV emission regulations. Emissions are further kept to a minimum thanks to the optional automatic idling system, which reduces engine speed to idle if the controls are inactive for more than five seconds. If the machine is left idling for longer, the engine can be automatically shut down. This then stops the hour meter, leading to longer service intervals, lower operating costs and ensuring a better resale value for the machine.
When it comes to durability, the EC18D sports a tough rear counterweight providing outstanding impact resistance and shields all vital components. The unique high-profile design is made from a single, strong piece of cast iron that wraps around each side of the machine for superb protection. The flat, toughened glass used on the four sides of the cab guarantees that replacements can be fitted simply, quickly and expensively if damage occurs.
The robust dozer blade is equipped with a welded-on cutting edge for superior wear resistance and a durable upper lip provides added protection against damage in tough applications and excellent stiffness when using the blade as a stabiliser. The sturdy structure and the curved profile of the blade ensure outstanding performance whether dozing or back filling.
Another feature which greatly reduces on-site damage is the lift cylinder which is located on top of the boom (most hoses are routed through the boom) for the ultimate in durability.
Not only is the D-Series highly durable, it is also easy to maintain, thanks to its excellent built-in service features. Daily service points are logically grouped under the wide-opening engine hood. With Volvo’s patented multifunctional hydraulic oil filter, filtration occurs when the tank is filled or topped up and before the oil returns back via the drain lines. A transparent bowl enables easy oil level checks and permits early detection of contamination. Both the ease and speed of inspections, together with long 50-hour greasing intervals, increases uptime and encourages essential work to be carried out, enhancing machine lifetime.
Established in 1988, W.T Paterson is a family-run business, based in Stirling and covering Central Scotland and the surrounding areas. The company specialises in a wide range of building and joinery services from small repairs to complex construction. The company has a longstanding maintenance contract with OI at Alloa where the EC18D is currently operating.
Rockbreakers (UK) Ltd is SMT GB’s utility dealer covering Fife, Argyll, the Central Belt and the whole of the Borders in Southern Scotland.
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.
