Sebald Zement turn to excavator power for first time

Purchase of Volvo EC530E excavator and matching HB48 hydraulic hammer part of change process

SEBALD Zement are getting things moving in the quarry with a new 50-tonne Volvo EC530E tracked excavator and matching HB48 hydraulic breaker from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).

The family-run company from Hartmannshof, Germany, not only produces high-quality cement products, but also processes gravel, limestone, and dolomite, and is relying on excavator power for the first time – gaining speed, flexibility, and peace of mind in its operations. As the first excavator ever in Sebald Zement’s fleet, the acquisition marks an important milestone in the quarrying process.

Florian Forster, sales representative at distributors Robert Aebi, said: ‘Originally, we had a wheel loader in use for demonstration purposes – but in discussions with the customer, it quickly became clear that an excavator would be a much better solution for the requirements in the quarry. The EC530E was the perfect fit – both in terms of performance and handling. The feedback after the demonstration was consistently positive, so the decision to purchase was made very quickly.’

The introduction of the Volvo excavator has fundamentally changed daily work in the quarry. Where previously large chunks of stone had to be laboriously sorted out by a wheel loader after blasting, and then stored for weeks before being crushed by an external service provider, the EC530E now performs this task directly on site – and much more quickly and efficiently.

Technical operations manager Maximilian Spieß described the advantages from the company’s perspective: ‘With the new excavator, we can not only process the entire blasting shot directly, but also optimally feed our systems at the same time. The oilǪuick quick-coupler makes it possible to switch between bucket and hammer within a very short time. This gives us enormous flexibility and increases throughput in processing.’

The team was particularly impressed by the Volvo breaker, which works in perfect harmony with the EC530E and, despite its impact power, works surprisingly quietly. ‘The breaker is not only powerful, but also surprisingly quiet. This is an important argument for us, especially outdoors, as we want to disturb our neighbours as little as possible,’ explained Mr Spieß.

The purchase of the Volvo EC530E excavator was much more than just a machine decision – it was part of a comprehensive change process at Sebald Zement. With the generational change in the company management and the new appointment of a new quarry manager, many things were rethought internally. Work processes were analysed, potential for improvement identified, and the team actively involved in further development.

‘We deliberately took the time to scrutinize existing processes and worked with our employees to consider how we could work more efficiently and sustainably,’ explained Mr Spieß. ‘The new excavator is the result of a whole series of tests, comparisons, and discussions – and the feedback from the team is clear: this is the right machine for us.’

Another key factor in the decision was the close and reliable co-operation with sales partner Robert Aebi. From the first meeting to commissioning, it was not only the technology that impressed, but above all the teamwork.

‘Advice, service, support – it was just perfect,’ said Mr Spieß. ‘We always had a contact person, regardless of whether it was about technical details, special conversions, or service issues. The exchange with our permanent service technician also ran smoothly – a really good collaboration, both professionally and personally.’

Summing up, machine operator Hans Renner, regular driver of the new excavator, said: ‘The EC530E is great to drive. Operation is intuitive, the display is easy to read, and maintenance is simple. When chiselling, you clearly notice how well the seat is cushioned in the cab. You sit comfortably – that makes all the difference in everyday life.’