Volvo’s new excavator

By Kim Yoo-chul

Volvo Construction Equipment is releasing two heavy-duty D-Series excavators onto the domestic market, the company announced Wednesday.

Weighing 38 tons and 50.5 tons, respectively, Volvo’s EC380D and EC480D excel in heavy digging and lifting duties, offering superior cycle times and greater fuel efficiency, Volvo Construction Equipment Korea said.

``The EC380D excavators are heavy-duty production machines that a driver can rely on for quarrying, road building, truck loading and more. Featuring a robust undercarriage and a reinforced boom/arm and superstructure, these machines are safe, efficient and durable,’’ said Lena Park, a deputy general manager at Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC), a Korea-based PR consultant firm.

Park said the increased time between simplified service intervals keeps these Volvo crawler excavators on task for longer periods.

``An easy to read color LCD display, multi-adjustable seat and joystick, and rear view camera, keep the operator informed, comfortable and in control. High breakout and crowding force is supported by an advanced hydraulic system that enables smooth, responsive digging and lifting,’’ she added.

Volvo Construction Equipment hit a record monthly output in February by producing 1,624 excavators. Volvo invested 100 billion won from 2010 to 2011 to expand its yearly output capacity of excavators to 25,000.

By 2016, Volvo plans to boost the capacity at its factory in the local provincial city of Changwon to 30,000 amid rising demand, according to Volvo officials.