Though Blackwell has its own extensive maintenance facilities across the UK, the number of new machines working on the A14 led the company to take out SMT GB’s Blue level Customer Support Agreement on the machines. This includes all maintenance and inspections, along with analysis and preventative maintenance tools, such as CareTrack, Volvo Oil Analysis and MATRIS analysis. Blackwell will also be exploring the possibilities of a number of advanced Volvo productivity tools available, including Dig Assist for the excavators and Haul Assist for the fleet of trucks. “We’ve got telematics on all of the machines and Haul Assist is something that we will be looking at using on future projects,” adds David. “Blackwell is always keen to try the latest technology, although there has to be a clear justification and benefit. “Haul Assist will give us efficiency improvements – when the trucks speak to each other and decide which excavator to go to, you’ve got savings.”
Excavator performance is just as important as hauler
efficiency and the latest Volvo EC750E is proving to be a popular choice with many of the UK’s leading earthmoving companies.
“The EC750E is a great machine,” says David. “We already had two EC700s in the fleet and our guys say that the EC750E is more powerful, more productive, great for the drivers and a big improvement.” Much of the bulk earthmoving on the A14 project will be concluded this year, providing Blackwell with a fleet of new machinery for future use.
“This is the second season for the major muck-shift in our programme,” says David. “We’ll have machines available for the work that we can see going forwards with HS2 and other Highways England projects. We’re adding to the fleet with more new machines, though we also have the capability to completely refurbish equipment to an as-new specification.”
“The EC750E is a great machine, we already had two EC700s in the fleet and our guys say that the EC750E is more powerful, more productive, great for the drivers and a big improvement.”
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