A new 12 tonne Volvo L90H loading shovel with a 3.0m³ quick attachment mounted Hi-Tip bucket and top clamp has been bought by Forth Resource Management (FRM) for its Todhills composting site on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
'Both the size of the machine and especially the size of the bucket are the key to handling the variety, weight and density of the materials arriving here on site,' said operations director Alex Dunbar.
'Here at Todhills, we receive a whole variety of material ranging from green waste from street collections, waste wood, some inert concrete and rubble but in particular, topsoil for screening and processing coming from greenfield sites which is then blended with the compost we produce.
'The L90H and bucket combination is proving to be the best optimum solution for handling this type of diversity'
FRM are not exactly strangers to the Volvo brand said: 'When we set up the business 14 years ago we purchased a Volvo BM LM642 and a 4200B from an uncle of one of the business partners which had both been previously engaged on farm work. We've still got the machines and they're still running but this is the first new Volvo we've purchased.
'Volvo has a strong reputation for being a quality brand and we have high expectations from the new L90H in terms of performance and reliability but additionally from a strong residual value further down the line'
But the company didn't just stop at ordering the L90H and followed this up with an order placed for a second hand L60F.
The L90H supplied to FRM is powered by a Volvo Tier IV final Volvo 6 litre engine, developing 186hp (net) with a maximum torque of 853Nm at just 1400rpm. It also has Volvo driveline components and a Volvo Eco pedal which encourages the operator to run the machine at its optimum revs.
To meet FRM's specification for a Hi-Tip bucket with top clamp, the machine has been fitted with third and fourth line hydraulics. It is fitted with a BM AIR filtration system which eliminates dust and odours from decomposing materials entering the operator's cab. The system includes an audible and visual warning if the pressure drops inside the cab ' for instance, if a window is left open or the door improperly closed.
Both the L90H and the L60F have been supplied with Volvo Blue Service agreements ensuring that they will be regularly maintained by Volvo service technicians using genuine Volvo parts and both units have Volvo's CareTrack telematics system which provides operating information and statistics remotely.
Forth Resource Management was established in 2002 with the aim of providing a sustainable recycling solution for green waste generated across South East Scotland opening its first composting site at East Fenton near Berwick.
The company now has nine operating sites situated across East Lothian and Central Scotland. Their range of products has grown to include a number of grades of compost and topsoil which is sold commercially and to the public, specialist blends of materials for the sports turf industry and wood chip for biomass.
