THE proprietor of Burnside Plant & Piling Contractors has decided to splash out on the firm’s first Volvo excavator after seeing the machine in action at the manufacturer’s showcase in Alloa earlier this year.

Ian Orr plumped for a 22-tonne EC220E, which will be used on a variety of tasks, after attending Volvo’s ‘Live It Dig It’ event with his operators. He explained, “The machine was so responsive and smooth to operate and when we started to discuss a deal, I was pleasantly surprised with the competitive package on offer, together with the prospect of a high residual value four years down the line. Following a further evaluation on one of the sites we are currently working on, we made up our minds and decided to order one – we couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”

The machine is powered by a a six-cylinder Volvo engine developing 174 nett hp and comes with the Volvo Care cab, which is said to provide “plenty” leg room and foot space. Visibility is boosted by filtered cab air supplied by a 14-vent climate control system.

Burnside’s EC220E will be teamed up with a Movax sheet piling rig which will pick up on the Geith quick-attachment bracket supplied with the machine. Ian added, “We specialise in permanent and temporary retaining walls, especially sheet-pile retaining walls, cofferdams and king-post retaining walls, with about 90% of our work being contracted in to Advance Construction who are one of the largest housebuilding companies here in Scotland.

“The new EC220E will become the optimum tool in our arsenal for general excavation as well as sheet-piling duties.”

Burnside Plant & Piling Contractors is based near Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.