Capital Equipment News August 2019

COVER STORY

In an environment where every cent counts, the Babcock-supplied Volvo Gz-Series wheel loader range, a simplified version of the F-Series, allows equipment owners to load more for less with its lower upfront capital costs and an array of standard fuel-saving and productivity enhancing features, writes Munesu Shoko . MOVE MORE WITH VOLVO

D espite the competitive the L60Gz (12,8 t), L90Gz (15,2 t) and the L120Gz (19 t) – continues to find significant traction in southern Africa. The 11-19 t category makes up the bulk of local wheel loader sales, with industry figures showing that a total of 300 units were sold between May 2018 and April 2019. Babcock reports that its Volvo Gz series has gained considerable market share, with the L120Gz – ideally-suited to truck loading and materials handling applications at quarries and small mines – being the best seller in the range. The L60Gz and L90Gz models are suited to general earthworks, civil works, small sand works and agricultural applications. Innovation often involves high technology – but it doesn’t always have to. Some of the best ideas are simple, based on a clear and deep understanding of customers’ working lives. With that in mind, Volvo simplified the design of its Gz series to meet an apparent increasing need for offerings that close the gap between value brands and their premium counterparts. According to David Vaughan, MD of Babcock’s equipment division, the range’s nature of the wheel loader market and the tough market conditions in general, the Volvo Gz range – comprising

“The Gz series is a cost-effective wheel loader range. In a market where customers account for every cent they spend, price, fuel consumption, productivity and machine utilisation are all under the spotlight as businesses seek to get the best out of their capital equipment investments. The Gz series ticks all the right boxes, and that, complemented by Babcock’s unparalleled aftermarket support, is a winning formula for our customers.”

David Vaughan, MD of Babcock’s equipment division

“Service and maintenance checks need to be quick and easy to perform in order to achieve maximum machine uptime. With excellent access to the engine compartment and ground level filters, operators will benefit from time saving features that allow them to get the most out of every day.”

Lance Mannix, GM Sales – Babcock’s equipment division

TALKING POINTS

simple design has resulted in lower upfront costs compared with the F series range. However, the Gz series retains all the crucial Volvo powertrain components found on the F-Series. The ideally-matched, all-Volvo powertrain has been built to work together in perfect harmony. The Volvo design has been comprehensively tested to deliver optimised performance, high productivity, low fuel consumption and greater reliability.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS AUGUST 2019 4