Collaborative working doesn’t stop with clients. Coleman & Company adopts a similar approach with machinery manufacturers, and this enables the company to develop its own unique capabili- ties. “We expect the same level of service from our suppliers, as we give to our clients,” he says. “And Volvo Construction Equip- ment does not disappoint.” An example of which is the recent purchase of two short radius Volvo ECR305C’s to further simplify the deconstruction of complex structures, while delivering greater productivity. “The ECR305C’s have proved much easier to use in jobs where we would normally have used the larger EC360C conventional excavator,” he says. “In demolition specification, with cab guards and body protection, our ECR305C models are unbelievably stable, yet occupy such a small amount of space.”
Volvo Construction Equipment’s national accounts manager Phil Jones, has been instrumental in getting the ECR305Cs into the UK as a result of his specialist product knowledge and practical application of plant and equipment. And Mark Coleman admits it was hard to determine a suitable role for such a heavy, short radius machine. “There had never been an environment we worked in, that needed something so compact yet so powerful,” he says. “But the ECR305’s role in the recent deconstruction of gas holders, where operating space has proved to be a luxury, has been invaluable.” “We used a crane and lowered the ECR’s into site – in an environment where our EC360C simply wouldn’t fit,” he says. “And with such a high power to weight ratio, we have been able to use the EC360’s attachments on this short radius machine to take full advantage of its much smaller foot- print, impressive stability and tremendous power.” Dismantling the circular gas holders from the inside, Coleman & Com- pany was able to position the ECR305 with its counterweight tucked up against the circumference of the structure, while safely reaching across to the opposite side to max- imise the efficiency of the demolition process.
The result has been high productivity and immense stability, which has exceeded Mark Cole-
man’s expectations considering the compact dimensions of this new Volvo excavator. “Because the ECR305C’s can handle the same attachments as our EC360s, we can now seek out further efficiency,” he says. “This allows us to use powerful, compact excavators in spaces that would have previously required the use of much smaller equipment.” “It is very impressive and fits neatly with our philosophy of being a specialist demolition contractor that provides innovative solutions for our clients.”
The ECR305C rewrites the rules on short radius excavator design. As the third and largest model in the ECR range, it offers best in-class lifting capacity, stability, digging force and fine control. On 800mm tracks, the upper structure swings outside its own track width by just 80mm. Operating weight extends from 33.7-37.4 tonnes depending on specification, with power supplied by a Volvo D7E 195hp Stage 3A emissions compliant, fuel efficiency engine with Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology.
The two ECR305Cs taken by Coleman & Company are part of a six-machine deal that also includes EW160C, EC210LC and EC380D models, giving the firm a fleet of 12 Volvo excavators, that also includes dump trucks and wheeled loaders. Mr Coleman says that clocking up 1,400 hours/year, and with several models already around wearing 7,000 clock hours, the older Volvo excavators have proved fantastic workhorses.
With service contracts and 5,000 hour/three-year warranties, fleet management has been straightforward, though the past few years has seen the business hold on to its equipment for longer than it would of liked. “We’ve had no problems, but I like to keep a youthful fleet that is fully managed – it’s a great way of fixing costs for every frontline machine in the fleet,” he says. Volvo’s Caretrack monitoring system has been specified for the six new machines, allowing Mark Coleman to further manage and extract yet more operating efficiency from his latest construction equipment acquisitions.
“Collectively, with trucks and plant, we spend around £1.4m on diesel every year, and the arrival of more modern and fuel efficient equipment will help us to reduce this significant cost while helping to reduce our carbon footprint,” he adds. “I am very pleased with the service, support and quality that Volvo provides,” he says. “First impressions also count and these new models simply look right for our business. They are well-engineered, properly designed and solidly-built – which is just what we seek for the solutions we provide to the demolition sector.”
2012 marks a significant milestone for Coleman & Company, as the firm celebrates its half centenary. To celebrate, members of staff have been swapping hard hats for running shoes to achieve the Triple 50 – a charity fund raising activity started by Coleman & Company with a target of raising £50,000 for Birmingham-based charities by running 50 miles to celebrate 50 years of business. For further information, visit
www.coleman-co.com
ECR305C Technical Facts Operating weight: Boom: Arm:
Bucket capacity: Tail swing radius: Tracks: Engine:
33,800-37,000kg 6.2m mono
3.05m std, optional 2.5m and 3.7m 1.23-1.95 cubic metres 1,865mm
600, 700, 800 and 850mm 195hp Volvo D7E
THE VOICE PAGE 9
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