Volvo EC750E HR: the industry’s most productive demolition excavator

By MEq September 19, 2018 14:30

An exceptional high-reach demolition excavator – with a maximum pin height of 36m – the new EC750E HR from Volvo Construction Equipment can also be easily reconfigured using extensions and differing length booms to become a multi-use deconstruction tool – capable of undertaking a wide range of site tasks – including under ground and under water.

Based on Volvo’s EC750E general purpose excavator, the EC750E HR has been substantially re-engineered by Volvo for high-reach deconstruction purposes. The heaviest excavator in the Volvo range, the EC750E HR is also among the industry’s largest high-reach demolition excavators available to work in the Stage IV/Tier 4 Final-regulated markets of Europe and North America.

The core of the EC750E HR’s flexibility comes thanks to it being offered with two high-reach demolition boom sets, and one digging boom set with extension. The longest of the high-reach configurations allows for a 36m maximum pin height – while carrying a substantial tool (at that height) of 3.6 tonnes. A second high-reach configuration has a 26m maximum pin height – using a larger 5 tonnes maximum tool. Finally, the digging boom set with 4.4m extension allows for an 18m pin height. These components can then be further configured – straight-straight (for high reach), straight-bent (for better center-of-gravity and extended forward safe working area), and bent-bent – for underground work.

Central to the EC750E HR’s configuration flexibility is Volvo’s patented hydraulic modular joint concept. The hydraulic modular joint uses a two-pin hydraulic lock mechanism to change from high-reach to digging configuration. As well as the modular joint on the base boom, there is now also a second hydraulic modular joint on the extension boom. The interface on the extension boom is the same as on the digging boom, allowing the boom configuration angle of both the extension and the digging boom to be set quickly and safely between ‘bent’ and ‘straight’ configurations.

With stability the root of both safety and performance in high-reach deconstruction applications, the EC750E HR has an all-new undercarriage. Specifically developed for the demolition segment, the undercarriage is heavier and wider than even that of the bigger Volvo EC950E excavator. Compared to the EC750E it is based on, the undercarriage of the EC750E HR is 0.5m longer and 1m wider – and has an impressive track gauge of 4.3m. With an additional 4 tonnes of counterweight helping push the EC750E HR’s machine weight to 100 tonnes the additional stability offered by its greater weight and width gives the EC750E HR a solid foundation for its best-in-class performance.

The retractable undercarriage on the EC750E HR features easy-to-remove track frames and the ability to self-disassemble/reassemble – meaning that moving the EC750E HR between worksites is relatively stress-free. In most markets, removing the high reach boom set, lowering the counterweight and retracting the undercarriage, all hydraulically actuated, is sufficient to transport the machine. It’s not only the track frames that are easy to remove, the complete counterweight, including the additional counterweights, can be removed in one movement, thanks to a strengthened hydraulic removal system.

The Volvo Care Cab is the perfect environment for high reach demolition. Large area laminated glazing allows good sight lines of the work area, as well as flooding the cab with daylight. Comfortable and spacious, with controls that fall easily to hand, the cabin also hydraulically tilts up to 30 degrees, reducing operator neck strain and fatigue when working on high-reach jobs. Furthermore, a dust suppression system and camera on the demolition arm are standard, delivering clear images through the high-quality in-cab display.

The EC750E HR comes with a real-time Total Moment Indicator as standard. An effective load control system, angle sensors on the boom and pressure sensors on the main cylinder continuously calculate the load moment status. This information is graphically produced on the easy-to-read in-cab display, with visual and audible warnings given to the operator as the stability envelope is approached or exceeded.

Both the operator and the machine itself are well protected on the EC750E HR. The high visibility Volvo Care Cab has a frame-mounted Falling Object Guard (FOG) and side impact protection (SIPS). The machine itself has a heavy-duty belly cover and under cover, as well as swing ring protection guard. The boom and crusher cylinders also feature added protection.

The EC750E HR profits from Volvo’s long experience of serving high-reach demolition customers around the world. Custom-built by Volvo’s highly experienced engineers and incorporating the company’s quality assurance practices, the EC750E HR is a complete Volvo solution – design, manufacture, and aftermarket support, with all components supported by a Volvo warranty. The entire machine is designed to Volvo’s exacting specifications and factory fitted into an efficient and integrated demolition solution.