Oakley Plant hails new Volvo Excavator the right package and an even better product
“The package was right – the product is even better!” is the sentiment of Stuart Oakley, Proprietor of family run business Oakley Plant Ltd, as he takes delivery of a brand new Volvo EC220E for his plant fleet.
Stuart Oakley is no stranger to owning and operating Volvo construction equipment products. “Our first Volvo excavator was a second-hand EC140B that has now clocked up 14,000, virtually, trouble free hours. It has proved to be a very reliable machine,” he says. “We supplemented that with a larger EC300D to tackle some of the demolition work we regularly undertake, besides more challenging excavations involving rock extraction.”
“Overall, the Volvo is a good and reliable product and certainly takes a lot to beat when it comes to operator comfort,” continues Stuart. “Not only that, the overall package was very competitive so, all in all, that’s why I decided to replace an older machine in the fleet with this new EC220E.”
Powered by a six-cylinder Stage V Volvo engine, developing 174 nett hp, the EC220E 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 and roomy interior, with plenty of legroom and foot space. The excellent all round visibility is enhanced by pressurised and filtered cab air, which is supplied by a 14 vent climate control system. An adjustable easy to read LCD colour monitor also provides real time information on the machine’s functions.
The new EC220E has been supplied in standard specification, which includes hose rupture valves to both boom and dipper cylinders, as well as quick fit hydraulics and hammer/shear hydraulic lines. The combination of the 5.7m boom and 2.9m dipper arm affords the machine a maximum digging reach of 9.93 metres, in addition to a dig depth of 6.73 metres. The practical dumping height is a generous 6.55 metres, while the machine’s maximum lifting capacity across carriage at full reach is an impressive 2.8 tonnes.
Joining a mixed fleet of equipment in Oakley Plant’s arsenal, the EC220E complements the existing Volvo fourteen and thirty tonne excavators, Volvo A25 articulated haulers, traxcavators, rollers, telehandlers, dozers, mini excavators and a backhoe loader. This expansive list of equipment is supported by an additional fleet of eight wheeled, predominantly Volvo badged, tippers and low loaders.
Terry Oakley, who is Stuart’s father and still active in the family-run business, established Oakley Plant back in 1967. The company provides a range of services within a sixty-mile radius of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, including: general contracting, demolition and dismantling, site clearance, muck away, general excavation work, aggregate supply and operated plant hire.
SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products, together with K-Tec articulated hauler scraper boxes, 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.
