A visit to Volvo’s ‘Live it Dig it’ event in Alloa earlier this year has prompted a Kirkcaldy-based civil engineering contractor to purchase an EC220E excavator.

Thomas Menzies Builders has invested in the machine, having been impressed by the levels of comfort, smoothness of control, noise levels and stability and performance.

Brian Henderson, the firm’s plant and environmental manager said, “We’ve had a long association with Volvo’s utility dealer, Rockbreakers UK Ltd, which has supplied hydraulic hammers and other ancillary attachments to us for some time. When we learned that they had taken on the franchise for Volvo utility equipment, knowing their track record for excellent support, we had added confidence deciding to purchase a new 5.5 tonne excavator for our fleet last April.

“It was this relationship that introduced us to the larger offering from Volvo, and, following a visit to Volvo’s ‘Live It Dig It’ event at Alloa earlier this year and having the chance to really test the EC220E, the decision to add this model to our fleet was made.

“I was certainly impressed with the high level of operator comfort, the smoothness of control, quietness and overall performance and stability of the machine.”

The excavator is powered by a six-cylinder Volvo engine developing 174 nett hp. Volvo said visibility is enhanced by pressurised and filtered cab air supplied by a fourteen-vent, climate control system.