Stokey Plant Hire Ltd opts for Volvo’s flagship EC750E excavator
Adding to an extensive plant hire fleet, Telford-based Stokey Plant Hire Ltd has opted for a seventy-five tonne Volvo EC750E excavator, which will be deployed on bulk earthmoving projects within the aggregates and construction sectors...
Established back in 1967, Stokey Plant Hire is very much a family run business. The company is led by Managing Director Sarah Jones and her husband, Contracts Director Ian Jones. Successfully steering the company, this husband and wife team possess a comprehensive portfolio of equipment for long and short-term hire.
Commenting on their newest addition, Sarah Jones states: “The EC750E is our second Volvo machine, following an EC220E we purchased two years ago for a variety of hire work. The performance and reliability of the EC220 has been first class, as has the after sales service and support we’ve received from SMT’s support centre at Minworth. Since we needed to replace a seventy tonne machine that was sold at the end of last year, we took a serious look at the Volvo seventy-five tonne machine, and were impressed with what we found. This, coupled with a positive experience in dealing with SMT, prompted us to opt for the new EC750E.”
The new arrival has been equipped in Mass Excavation configuration, complete with a 5.7m³ bulk bucket. Thus equipped, the EC750E provides a maximum breakout force of 383 kN, and a tearout force of 337kN. The combination of the 6.6m boom and 2.9m dipper arm gives a maximum reach of 11.46 metres, and a generous dig depth of 7.2 metres.
Specifically for Stokey Plant Hire, the EC750E has been equipped with a hydraulically folding ladder, which provides the operator with safe access to and egress from the cab. The EC750E also benefits from the addition of full superstructure guardrails (including a guarded catwalk), a bucket cylinder guard, blue strobe lights fitted to the counterweight, reflective prismatic chevrons and additional safety lighting. In addition, the EC750E benefits from an 18kg fire suppression system, a cabin mounted FOGS guard, a sensor vision system that provides all-round visibility for the operator and a driver identification system, which prevents unauthorised operation of the machine. “Equipping the machine with these safety features satisfies the requirements of all of our clients, particularly in the quarrying sector,” comments Contracts Director Ian Jones.
At the heart of the EC750E is a 16-litre Stage III V-ACT engine, which develops 533 nett horsepower. The engine operates in conjunction with an advanced mode control system, to ensure the maximum possible hydraulic horsepower available is delivered at a constant engine speed under varying load conditions. A maximum torque of 2,570Nm is achieved at just 1,350r/min. This, in conjunction with the machine’s advanced hydraulic system, ensures maximum fuel efficiency is achieved through every work cycle.
Joining a mixed fleet of excavators, dump trucks, loading shovels and dozers, the new EC750E will be deployed by Stokey Plant Hire Ltd on hires that require bulk excavation work within the quarrying and aggregates industry. It will also be used by blue chip construction and civil engineering companies throughout the United Kingdom and abroad. The machine has been supplied with an SMT GB Level 2 ENHANCE service agreement, whereby it will be regularly maintained by Volvo trained service engineers, using genuine Volvo parts, filters and lubricants.