A brace of Volvo minis for Castle Plant & Tool Hire

Devon plant hire company purchase two Volvo EC27C compact excavators

Castle Plant & Tool Hire based in Sidmouth, Devon, have purchased two new Volvo EC27C compact excavators for their hire fleet from Plant & Engineering Services Ltd, Volvo’s utility dealer for the south west of England.

As existing users of Volvo utility equipment products, namely the 1.5-tonne EC15B’s and a larger 3.5-tonne EC35, proprietor Rob Taylor has enjoyed good reliability and performance from his machines.

‘The Volvo product looks right in terms of the build quality with good access for servicing and to be honest I can’t really fault them. Besides that they stand out against the crowd in terms of their aesthetics and striking yellow and grey livery and I’m particularly impressed with the new EC27C’s we’ve just purchased,’ he commented.    

Joining a mixed fleet of equipment including Volvo mini excavators, site dumpers, compaction rollers and a host of small equipment and tools for hire, the relatively new EC27C replaces the previous EC25 and EC30 models. Powered by a Volvo 1.6-litre low-emission Tier III engine the machine delivers performance in the range of the previous Volvo EC30 – yet with a compact design reminiscent of the smaller EC25.

The conventional excavator design provides exceptional stability along with minimal superstructure swing. Simultaneous control of slew and offset movements provides faster, more precise performance due to the right joystick control lever that features an electronically proportional roller. This allows the operator to accurately adjust hydraulic flow as needed. All hydraulic functions are performed in total independence for more control and less delay when handling multiple tasks.

An automatic two-speed travel system engages when operating in high-speed mode, automatically shifting gear from high to low according to the travel load. Another feature for increased efficiency is the standard auto-idling system that lowers engine speed to idle if a control is not used for five seconds. The engine reverts to the pre-selected speed almost instantly when any control is moved. This system delivers lower fuel consumption, longer engine life and less environmental noise.

The EC27C features Volvo’s comfortable cab for less fatigue and more production. The ergonomically-designed cab offers greater leg and foot room, making it one of the most spacious in its category. Optional air conditioning with heater is also available for year-round productivity in hot, humid or cold climates.

Castle Plant & Tool Hire were acquired by their current owners in 1995 having 25 years of experience in general contracting and ground works contracts. The company still offers a contracting service alongside its day-to-day hire and rental business and is located on the outskirts of Sidmouth, Devon, servicing the local community and Devon at large.