The latest model added to Mr Hall’s fleet is a fourteen tonne Volvo EC140C complete with a dozer blade which joins a four year old EC140BLC, two Volvo compact excavators and a Volvo DD24 tandem roller – the latter purchased in 2010. “I started out in 1999 as a groundworks contractor,” he explains. “Since then we’ve become a Limited company and have developed the business to specialise in site and land clearance and heath land regeneration. We have been associated with Volvo from the outset and the machines we operate have proved very reliable. Coupled to that, the after sales service from Volvo’s Woking support centre has been excellent and we have an equally excellent relationship with Volvo’s Financial Services team,” he continued.
The EC140C is powered by a Volvo four cylinder engine developing 94hpwhich contributes to anexcellent performance being well matched to the machine’s hydraulics. The machine’s ‘Integrated work mode control’ provides high efficiency, rapid dig cycles and low fuel consumption. This advanced mode control systemensures the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed under varying load conditions. In addition, boom and arm geometry provide highly competitive digging forces and lifting capacities, which makes for faster work cycles. Hose rupture valves are fitted as standard to the boom and dipper cylinders as are quick fit hydraulics and a hammer/shear service. Specifically for Richard Hall’s typical land clearance applications and like the EC140B before it, the machine has been delivered with a bespoke dozer blade as a factory fit option. The blade features a generous lift height of just over half a metre and a dig depth of 575mm.
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, important diagnostic information and a wide variety of work tool settings. The monitor also doubles as a monitor for the rear view camera. An optional heavy duty guard has been added to the front windscreen and top of the cabin to prevent damage from brash, branches and other site debris.
The new EC140C’s specification has been further enhanced by Richard Hall’s investment in an Engcon rototilt head which is already proving its worth for the typical applications his company undertakes. The 360º flexibility has transformed the operating characteristics of the machine especially working on its current assignment of heath land regeneration where the removal of trees, tree stumps and brash is taking place. The unit can also be easily transferred to either Richard Hall’s Volvo ECR88 Plus and EC140B excavators.
Richard Hall Ltd offers a large number of services whilst specialising in Land & Site Clearance, Equestrian Facilities, Groundworks, Track & Road Ways and Agricultural Contracting. The company is based in Reading; Berkshire with additional facilities located in Henley on Thames and operates throughout the Thames Valley.
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 compact equipment dealerstoensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
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