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Whilst this is ISM’s first piece of Volvo construction equipment, the newly acquired L45F joins a fleet of eighteen Volvo trucks which are deployed in various applications including bulk waste haulage, skip lorries and roll-on-off demountable trucks.
ISM, a family run business, was established forty five years ago dealing in scrap metal and has since evolved into a significant independent waste handling and recycling concern with an on-going development of its facilities at Ramsbottom. “As we are expanding our recycling facility to almost twice its existing size, we needed to invest in a larger loading shovel to the one we’ve been operating,” explained Operations Director John Allen. “We hadn’t originally considered Volvo but it was a co-incidence that we were introduced to Volvo CE at a recent Volvo Truck ‘ride and drive’ event back in September. At the time we were more intent on Volvo Trucks’ new FMX construction vehicle but following discussions, the chance of having the machine immediately on demonstration which was successful and on third party recommendations, the deal fell into place,” he continued. (Two new FMX trucks were also ordered by ISM).
The 8.5 tonne wheeled loader from Volvo has been equipped with a bespoke bucket with twin top clamps to ISM’s design allowing the machine to tackle a whole variety of diverse material arriving at the recycling centre in all shapes and sizes. In addition the L45F has been fitted with a ‘dustbuster’ to the air intake, a reversible fan and foam filled tyres. “This is our first experience with a Volvo loading shovel and we have high expectations of it going forward. So far we have been impressed with the machine’s pushing power and operator comfort,” said Mr Allen. “If it proves to be as good as my Volvo trucks then I’ll be satisfied.”
The L45F along with its bigger brother, the L50F, are two relatively new, mid-sized wheeled loaders joining Volvo Construction Equipment’s F series line up and are the first of a new breed of loader to emerge from Volvo’s design team. Most notably, the design of the rear chassis with its sloping engine hood - thanks to the transverse mounted 4.8 Tier III engine and hydrostatic motor, provides superb visibility all around the machine. The operator’s environment has been recognised as a key factor in achieving high productivity and the Volvo Care Cab is at the forefront of delivering a high level of operator comfort. All the machine’s controls and functions come easily to hand and air conditioning is of course standard. The engine’s output of 100hp is superbly matched to the hydrostatic transmission allowing full power shift under load when changing direction and between speed ranges. As with its bigger brothers in the range the L45F sports a Torque Parallel (TP) loader linkage which provides smooth, parallel lift, high roll back torque and good lifting power throughout the lift cycle. The Volvo hydraulic attachment bracket facilitates the easy change over of attachments.
The Volvo L45F and L50F wheeled loaders feature separate power steering and load-sensing hydraulic pumps. The advantage of this is that separate pumps ensure full steering power is achieved, regardless of the load on the main hydraulic pumps. Oil flow on the load-sensing pump automatically adjusts to match work demand. The result is lower fuel consumption during lighter work – along with no compromise in performance when operating in tough conditions or demanding applications.
ISM Waste Services & Recycling provides a waste management service to over 300 customers ranging from local authorities to large industrial blue chip companies. Its services include waste collection, treatment, incineration, recycling, waste audit, technical assessment and on site waste management. The Ramsbottom facilities boast a state of the art waste transfer station currently being doubled in size which is fully integrated into its Metal Recycling Facility.
Volvo Construction Equipment Division markets wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, graders, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in the U.K. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
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