Gordon Bow Plant Hire Ltd of Broxburn, West Lothian, has added ten new Volvo EC140E excavators for the very first time, as part of a significant £5M investment programme in its fleet rejuvenation and general operations.
The new fourteen tonne excavators join a mixed fleet of excavators ranging from 1.5 up to 30 tonnes in operating weight, as well as telehandlers, backhoe loaders, rollers, site dumpers and a host of smaller equipment which all form part of a fleet of some seventy plus machines added so far in 2019.
“We recognised that the Volvo product has a good reputation in the market place for reliability and build quality, with operators appreciating the cab comfort, controllability and performance of the machines,” comments Jason Taylor, Business Development Manager for Gordon Bow Plant Hire Ltd.
“It’s early days, but so far we’ve been very pleased with the SMT and Volvo experience, and hope this is the start of a long term relationship moving forwards. Certainly, the feedback from our regular customers has been immensely positive, with reports of good fuel economy too,” he continues.
Derek Kidd with Jason and Dawn
The EC140E is powered by Volvo Stage V compliant 4-cylinder engine, developing 121 hp. The machine’s ‘Integrated work mode control’ provides high efficiency, rapid dig cycles, which significantly lowers fuel consumption. This advanced mode control system ensures 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.
For example, the maximum reach with the standard 3.0m dipper arm is 8.85 metres, whilst the maximum dig depth is a generous 6.0 metres. But, in particular, the lifting capacity at full reach across carriage equals 1.9 tonnes. Hose rupture valves are fitted as standard to the boom and dipper cylinders, as are quick fit hydraulics and a hammer/shear service. Gordon Bow has also opted to take the optional X3 rotation circuit and proportional controls, to enhance the ‘hirability’ of the new 14 tonne machines.
Established thirty-eight years ago by the current chairman, Gordon Bow, Gordon Bow Plant Hire Ltd has grown to be a leading equipment hirer, serving the whole of Scotland and the north of England. Gordon’s son, Graham, has taken over from his father as managing director and continues the steady growth and expansion of the company. Offering equipment for long, mid and short term operated and non-operated hire, Gordon Bow Plant Hire currently employs 150 personnel, including; workshop and mobile service engineers, operators, drivers and admin staff. Included in the current investment plan is a new facility, which is about to come on stream, with workshops offices and extensive yard space. The new facility is also located close by to the current facility in Broxburn, West Lothian.
