From Show to Show

The new Volvo EC210BFX Gull Wing went straight from the ILA logging show to Dawson Long's logging show off the Bear Lake Road.

As the last snows of winter faded from view, and clouds of dust from a recent spring dry spell swirled around, the slowly moving low boy inched its way from the Coquihalla Highway up the steep mountain switchbacks of Bear Lake Forestry Road. On board, and headed for Dawson Long's job site, was a brand new Volvo EC210BFX Gull Wing, a machine that had rolled off the assembly line at the giant Volvo plant in South Korea just weeks earlier.

Veteran BC logger Dawson Long, along with thousands of other forestry professionals, had seen the new BFX series at the Interior Logging Association's annual forestry trades convention nearby only the week prior. Volvo Construction Equipment NA of Asheville, NC, had chosen the ILA convention last year as the ideal venue for the North American launch of its new line of purpose-built tracked forestry carriers, and there was no doubt that this new 26-ton model took centre stage at the Volvo-Great West Equipment display.

Bottom Up

Volvo says it built this new class of machines from the ground up exclusively for forestry applications. There are now three models available - the 26 ton EC210BFX; the 30 ton EC240BFX; and the 35 ton EC290BFX. The F denotes forestry, and X heavy duty, meaning that the machines are engineered for the rugged and varied demands of global forestry.

This range is then divided across three specification configurations to meet such popular needs as harvester/processor, log loader, and general forestry applications (i.e., road building, site prep, reclamation).

For his part, Dawson Long is no stranger to Volvo machines. In his stable of 10 working forestry machines are three Volvos - an EC210BF harvester/processor, a Volvo log loader, and his new EC210BFX road builder. Part of the reason he opted for the third is the almost zero downtime he experienced with the first two, making them the most reliable machines in his fleet. His other Volvo roadbuilder has 2,500 hours, "and hasn't needed anything other than fuel, filters, and regular lubrication." That kind of reputation, when combined with excellent dealer service, low fuel consumption, ease of service, and machines that "are priced right" by the dealer made adding another Volvo an easy decision for Long.

Year Round Logging

Long's crew runs 12 months a year working the forests of BC's southern interior. Summers here are dry, hot, and dusty, and winters windy, cold and snowy. Summer highs can hit well over 30 degrees Celsius, winter lows the same range below. Keeping machines working and operators comfortable can be a challenge.

Senior operator George Fearing is looking forward to duties on the new Volvo. He says that during a recent trial demo, "the cab was excellent, quiet, and very comfortable, and the controls properly placed. You just don't get tired, even after a long, hard shift." He added that the standard heated seat and climate control were welcome. "I'm sure I am going to enjoy the seat on those cold winter mornings," he says.

George also liked the track power on the 143-hp V-ACT (Volvo Advanced Combustion technology) direct injection turbo-charged diesel, matched drive system, and smart hydraulics. Overall, the steep rocky terrain was well handled by the EC210BFX.

Operator protection is enhanced on the BFX models, and tailored to each application. For example, a 12 mm thick polycarbonate front window replaces glass in the single-piece front windscreen of machines used as harvesters or processors. Cabs are falling object protected standards (FOPS), and this is augmented by a steel front operator guard designed for an unobstructed view of the work area. A versatile lighting package designed for forestry applications adds to night shift productivity.

When asked what attracted him most to the new Volvo, Long mentions the purpose-built guarding and how sturdily the machines were built. Yet he was most impressed by the heavy-duty construction of the gull wing design.

"We work every day in some pretty rough stuff, and are constantly having to replace mufflers and repair dented hoods and tanks on our other machines, but with this unit and its heavy-duty gull wing, we feel that these problems will be a thing of the past."

Other standard features on Volvo BFX machines include heavy-duty track drive motors, higher capacity undercarriage components, rollers, links, and idlers than those on conventional excavators, full-length heavy-duty track guards, and a high and wide super duty walker undercarriage.

"We look at everything when considering a new machine," Long explains. "The standard items, such as initial cost, cost of operation, and dealer service are critical to our decision process. But just as important is the value of the machine in three to four years. We expect our Volvos, based on reputation alone, to command top resale or trade in dollars, and that is important to us."

The machines also offer real-time monitoring of all key machine functions via the Volvo Contronics electronics system. The info can be downloaded to a technician's laptop for analysis, and will also warn operators if a fault exists, helping avoid further machine damage.

"Dealer support is also a key element when we consider any new equipment. Roger Dobie and Kirk Krause from the Vernon office of Great West Equipment have been excellent. They are there when we need them, which is very important to a busy logging operation."

This article originally appeared in Volvo Construction Equipment Magazine, and has been modified slightly for publication in CFI Magazine.