New Volvos add to B&W Plant Hire’s huge Excavator fleet
B&W Plant Hire and Sales Ltd of Blackburn, Lancashire, has taken delivery of ten Volvo EC140Es and four larger EC220Es following a successful demonstration and an overall competitive package offered by SMT GB.
The new Volvo additions join a mixed fleet of some 550 excavators in B&W Plant’s arsenal of equipment ranging from three quarter to thirty-five tonnes in operating weight. “We were impressed with the recent demonstration, finding the Volvo to be very responsive, smooth to operate and productive,” comments Managing Director, Will Whitwell. “Our operators appreciated the all-round comfort of the cab together with the overall performance of the machine and from a maintenance point of view, we were impressed with the ease of access for general maintenance and servicing,” he continues. “All these factors, coupled to a competitively priced package on offer and the prospect of strong residual values further down the road prompted us to place the order with SMT GB.”
Choosing Volvo as a premium branded product is also part of B&W Plant Hire’s rationale to begin standardizing its excavator fleet which, along with a comprehensive range of tele-handlers, rollers and dumpers will be distributed between the company’s four locations at Blackburn, Keighley, Northwich and Southampton.
The EC140E and EC220E are powered by Stage-IV compliant Volvo four and six cylinder engines developing 122 and 174 nett hp respectively and offer 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 control system. An adjustable easy-to-read LCD colour monitor provides real time information of the machine functions.
Established in 1994 by Will Whitwell’s father Bill, B&W Plant Hire & Sales Ltd has grown substantially under Will’s direction with the addition of the three depots at Keighley, Northwich and Southampton. The company employs 75 personnel and has around 1,500 items of plant, the majority of which is hired out on spot and short-to-midterm operated and self-drive hires.
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.
