Volvo EC140E Excavator gets stuck in down on the farm
A new Volvo EC140E excavator has been delivered to a large, family run dairy farm near Portpatrick, Stranraer, in Dumfries & Galloway thanks to sound third-party references and a specification that impressed its new owner Kenneth McNeil.
The new fourteen-tonne excavator replaces an older, competitive model and will be put to immediate use maintaining the ditches and general drainage on the 750 acres which make up Cairnpat Farm. “Due to our location at the south-western tip of Dumfries & Galloway we receive more than our fair share of rain every year,” comments Kenneth McNeil. “So it’s absolutely imperative we maintain our ditches and drainage systems in order to produce good quality grass which we turn into silage for our dairy herd. We’ve run our own excavator to carry out this work for a good many years but needed to replace it as it was getting a bit long in the tooth (we originally purchased it second hand) and decided buying new this time around made more economical sense.”
Following an initial enquiry placed with SMT GB’s headquarters at Duxford and taking third-party references from existing Volvo users, an order was placed for the EC140E. “Yes, it’s a bit of a leap of faith opting for a new machine, and an alternative make, but we are very confident the new Volvo will perform well,” says Kenneth. “The deal was competitively priced and we are assured the residual value of the machine will remain buoyant.”
The new EC140E is powered by four-cylinder Stage-IV compliant Volvo engine developing 122 nett hp and offers the latest in engine technology and operating sophistication. For example, pump flow is controlled for combined digging and swinging operations to reduce the flow loss through the overload relief valves, whilst maintaining digging power 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 controlled system. An adjustable easy-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real time information of the machine functions, important diagnostic information and a wide variety of work tool settings. The screen also doubles as a monitor for the rear and side view cameras.
The EC140E will prove to be the optimal tool for the work to be undertaken at Cairnpat Farm in terms of its size for transporting and digging geometry. For instance, the machine boasts a generous forward reach of 8.85m, a dig depth of just over 6m and a practical load over height of 6.3m equipped with the standard 3m dipper arm. The machine also demonstrates excellent stability across carriage with a lifting capacity of 1860kg at full reach and at 1.5m above ground level. The machine also features hammer / shear hydraulics and hose rupture valves fitted as standard together with optional X3 rotation circuit allowing Messrs R McNeil to accomplish a whole range of tasks around the farm including hammer work and utilizing a sorting grapple.
Messrs R McNeil is a family-run, dairy farming business which has farmed Cairnpat Farm for many generations.
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.
