Innovative Iron Awards 2016: Volvo’s New ECR40D Short Swing Radius Compact Excavator
The Coolest and Most Creative Compact Equipment of 2016
The bad news: Future growth in construction and landscaping will require increased skills and productivity to stay competitive. The good news: Manufacturers from Cat to Yanmar are creating cutting-edge equipment to help machine owners reach that ever-increasing goal for more efficiency. With a serious shortage of skilled workers, contractors are specifically searching for the most innovative machinery (the toughest skid steers, most productive excavators, safest wheel loaders, most versatile tractors) to help offset workforce woes and increase production and performance. Well, search no more. To expedite the process, we just went ahead and gathered together that list for you, highlighting the most inventive off-highway equipment, diesel engines, hand tools and OEM services and systems released to the market in 2016. We were challenged with picking the best of the best, but that just makes the honor of inclusion that much more impressive.
We Dig Volvo’s New ECR40D Short Swing Radius Compact Excavator
When engineers designed the new Volvo ECR40D short swing radius compact excavator, they concentrated on a roomier cab and intelligent hydraulics for increased power and reduced fuel consumption. The best-in-class cab has been further improved in the ECR40D with 10 percent more space than predecessor models. Intuitive controls put productivity at the fingertips of the operator, with in-cab features like servo-hydraulic travel levers/pedals that eliminate the need for cables and ensure smooth actuation, as well as four attachment-specific buttons that allow for precise adjustment of hydraulic flow. This series of compact models also shares engineering advancements from their larger-model counterparts, including perfectly matched engine and hydraulics and innovative fuel-saving functions. The updates resulted in a reduction in horsepower, from 36 to 24, with a 14 percent increase in lift capacity and breakout/tearout forces.
