Volvo introduces two new 50-ton excavators

Volvo said the electro hydraulics system contributes to a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency due to Independent Metering Valve Technology (IMVT)

Volvo CE enters the 50-ton class for excavators with the introduction of its two biggest excavators yet - the EC530E and EC550E.

The company said the new models have digging and lifting forces normally found in 60-ton machines, giving contractors the performance they need for heavy-duty digging, mass excavation and large-scale site preparation work.

“When Volvo CE enters a new size class, we want to meet the needs of our customers while also making an impression,” said Sejong Ko, product manager, excavators, at Volvo CE. “We’ve done that with the EC530E and EC550E excavators. Contractors get the power of a larger machine at a lower weight, along with additional fuel-saving and uptime-enhancing features.”

The EC530E and EC550E feature the highest engine power in the class, Volvo said, providing high tractive force and swing torque. When coupled with large buckets, the EC530E and EC550E are suited to fill articulated haulers in the 30- to 40-ton class, requiring fewer passes to load them and reducing cycle times. Volvo said this combination can boost productivity by up to 20%.

The two new machines are built on a super-rigid reinforced undercarriage designed to provide durability and strength. The EC550E undercarriage has a long and wide lower frame, giving it extra stability when working with heavier loads. The undercarriage on the EC530E, meanwhile, shares the same transportation dimensions — and loading convenience — as Volvo’s 48-ton EC480E. Both machines’ boom and arm feature a larger pin size for added strength. 

The electro hydraulics system contributes to a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency due to Independent Metering Valve Technology (IMVT) that, with intelligent electronic control, offers more precise operation and efficiency than a traditional mechanically coupled hydraulic system. Engine pump optimization lowers engine speed while maintaining power.

Operators can also select functions like boom/swing and boom/travel priority, which enables one function to take the lead over another. The boom-down speed can also be adjusted, giving optimum control for tasks that require extra precision. New boom-and-arm bounce reduction technology lessens machine shock.

Operators are further assisted by the optional Dig Assist machine control system, powered by Volvo Co-Pilot and designed to deliver excavation accuracy in less time.

To increase uptime, hydraulic pilot lines have been removed, reducing the number of couplings needed. Maintenance time and costs are further reduced by the recent extension of Volvo engine oil change intervals to 1,000 hours when using Volvo VDS 4.5 oil.