Ross Contractors, a trucking and mining company based in Golden Grove, South Australia, supplies clay for all brick production in SA, and will be providing sand for a new pipeline in Orroroo.
To improve operator efficiency and site performance, Ross Contractors recently purchased an L260H wheel loader equipped with intelligent machine service from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).
“Our machines move hundreds of tonnes of material every day, so we are always looking for new technology to improve our operations,” said Darren Ross, owner of Ross Contractors.
Ross Contractors is the first company in Australia to use Volvo CE’s Co-Pilot intelligent machine service. Co-Pilot is an on-board display system that powers intelligent machine services such as load assist, dig assist, compact assist and pave assist.
The 254mm (10”) touchscreen is an intuitive, scalable platform that uses on-board machine data and high precision sensors to deliver real time information. Each Volvo Assist program helps operators monitor progress and output in real time, enhancing productivity.
{{image2-a:r-w:300}}“With Volvo’s Load Assist, we are able to load more accurately,” Ross said. “This allows our operators to concentrate 100 per cent on operating the wheel loader and not worry about the weight of the load.”
During peak operations, the L260H works 13 hours, handling up to 2500 tonnes of raw material daily at the One Tree Hill Quarry. The 34-tonne wheel loader moves sand and clay mined at the quarry to a screening plant.
The L260H is fitted with a Volvo 13-litre diesel engine and a 6.4m3 general purpose bucket, to deliver a powerful and efficient performance. The L260H is also available with the 7.3m3 Volvo Rehandling bucket.
All L260H models deliver a high breakout force of 284kN, a dump height of 3.1m and a 50mm longer wheel base, along with proven Z-bar linkage for strong, powerful digging in hard materials.
Ross Contractors’ fleet of Volvo equipment also includes an EC480DL excavator, which is used to excavate raw materials at the quarry. Alongside this, the company runs two articulated haulers, the A40G and A40E, which are used to mine sand at the quarry.
Ross Contractors purchased the L260H from Warrin Mining, CJD Equipment’s dealer for Volvo CE in South Australia.
“The L260H is very fuel-efficient, using an average of 19 litres of fuel per hour,” Ross said. “From the machine’s breakout force, balance and working capacity, it’s really a magnificent machine.”
CJD Equipment is the Australian distributor for Volvo CE.
Headquartered in WA and founded in 1974, CJD Equipment has grown into one of Australia’s leading privately owned equipment suppliers. CJD’s relationship with Volvo CE extends more than 25 years.
Source: CJD Equipment