Modern Mining February 2015

COVER STORY

machines we trade in compared to the number that we sell is completely different to the indus- try average – a result of customers selling their machines directly, par- ticularly to international buyers, rather than trad- ing them in when they need to modernise or expand their fleets.” While the Volvo ADT accounts for the big- gest portion of the Volvo construction and min- ing machines marketed locally by Babcock, the overall range includes hydraulic excavators, wheeled loaders, back- hoe loaders (also known as TLBs) and compac- tors. The excavators – eight models are offered – range from a 5,5‑t mini-

be discontinuing production of Volvo-branded backhoe loaders and graders. In future, it said, these products would be manufactured by SDLG in China rather than at Volvo factories in Europe, the USA and Brazil. Said Volvo CE in its statement: “The current product lines of technologically advanced and high spec Volvo-branded backhoe loaders and motor graders have addressed a relatively small pre- mium segment of the market. SDLG-branded backhoe loaders and motor graders will bet- ter serve customer demands in the large and growing value segment of the market.” Commenting on this decision, Vaughan says the message he would like to convey to custom- ers is that Babcock can continue to meet their needs as it has in the past, with no diminish- ment in the range of machines it is able to offer customers. Summing up, Vaughan says that Babcock has successfully established the Volvo CE brand in South Africa since acquiring the agency in 2000, with sales increasing many times over during this 15-year period and with just over 7 500 machines now operating in the field “Our performance has been so strong that we’ve been named as the Volvo CE ‘Dealer of the Year’ on three occasions,” he says. “As I’ve said, cur- rent market conditions are challenging but we emerged from the downturn of 2008/2009 in very good shape and I’m confident that we’ll do the same this time around.” 

excavator through to the top-of-the-range 70‑ton EC700 while the 11 loaders available have bucket capacities from 0,7 m 3 to 6,8 m 3 . Says Vaughan: “If we’re talking mining, the most popular models are the EC700 excava- tor and the L350F wheel loader, which is an extremely productive unit designed for use in the toughest mining environments.” He adds that the EC700 – powered by a 346 kW Volvo engine – is well matched to the A40 hauler. As regards the L350F, rated at 394 kW, he describes it as an “uncompromising machine” which, like all other units in the Volvo range, offers excel- lent safety, ease of maintenance and durability. Among other things, it features an intelligent load-sensing hydraulic system consisting of two variable piston pumps which provide exactly the flow rate and pressure demanded by the work situation. Complementing the Volvo range, Babcock also distributes the SDLG range of equipment, which includes loaders and graders. Explaining the positioning of SDLG with respect to the Volvo brand, Vaughan says the SDLG machines cater for the value end of the market, where there is less emphasis on high-tech features. “They are excellent machines and are proving extremely popular with customers who do not need the sophistication and ultra-high specs of the Volvo range,” he observes. An interesting point is that Volvo CE announced in November last year that it would

Another view of the EC700 excavator. The machine has proven popular in Southern Africa with customers in the mining field.

February 2015  MODERN MINING  19