Volvo pushes boundaries at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2017 with major launches, operator assist technology, and a new era for telematics support

Showcasing a total of 28 machines, including the launch of its new flagship 50 ton class wheel loader – the L350H – plus other new models, new uptime services in North America, including a 24 hour parts guarantee and industry-changing concept vehicles, Volvo offered a confident message and demonstrated how it is pushing boundaries of conventional machine design and technology at this year’s Conexpo exhibition.

Volvo’s largest wheel loader debuts

The star of the Volvo CE exhibit in Las Vegas was the unveiling of its largest wheel loader – the 50 ton class L350H. The all-new L350H is fitted with next-generation hydraulics and powered by a Volvo Tier 4 Final D16 engine, for high torque at low rpm. The ideal partner for quarry production, the L350H now comes with a larger 7.3 cubic meters (9.5 cubic yards) bucket, for maximum performance.Also claiming the limelight in Las Vegas was the L350H’s (slightly) little brother, the L260H. Designed for heavy-duty applications, the 34-ton machine is purpose-built to load on-highway trucks in just two even passes.

Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’

Alongside the loaders, road machinery was in focus at the show, with new innovative compactors added to the Volvo line-up. Fitted with the flexibility of Volvo’s oscillation technology – which eliminates vertical vibrations – the double drum DD105 OSC offers high compaction performance while producing an undamaging oscillation movement. This transfers less stress to the surrounding surface, enabling compaction in more delicate application areas, such as bridges, over pipes and close to residential areas. The DD120C and DD140C were also center stage, being the largest additions to the Volvo line-up of asphalt compactors, offering 20% improved fuel efficiency, new intelligent features and high centrifugal force.

The Tier 4 Final compliant SD45B, meanwhile, is a single drum compactor that is designed for commercial and residential site development, utility installations, driveways and landscaping jobs. Providing up to 12 degrees of oscillation and 41 degrees of frame articulation in each direction, the SD45B offers the stability and versatility required to compact in confined areas.

Active assistance

Visitors got the chance to interact with new intelligent operator systems and machine monitoring technologies at the show, including ActiveCare Direct and Dig Assist.

Dig Assist allows the excavator operator to set job parameters, such as target depth and grade; conduct In-Field Design, and view job progress in real time, ensuring the work meets exact specifications. Dig Assist is the latest addition to the suite of Volvo Assist programs — which also includes Compact Assist with Density DirectTM and Load Assist — providing real-time intelligence to the operator in terms that are easy to understand and directly tied to job quality. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with the Volvo Assist programs on the Volvo Co-Pilot interface — a scalable, Android-powered tablet computer that was recently named winner of the ‘most innovative HMI feature’ in the Car HMI Awards. Booth visitors also saw future Volvo Assist Co-Pilot programs to be rolled out for soil compactors and articulated haulers in the coming months.

Telematics monitoring direct from Volvo

Volvo also unveiled ActiveCare Direct TM— a telematics monitoring service offered at the OEM level and supported through the company’s dealer network. Volvo has built a dedicated uptime center with an experienced team of analysts proactively monitoring and reporting on customer fleets throughout the United States and Canada. The service relieves the burden of sorting through vast quantities of available data and delivers thoughtful analysis and practical recommendations to the customer. An in-booth uptime center was available for visitors to interact with telematics experts and see how the system works.

BIG news at Conexpo

In addition to the new machine launches mentioned above, other machine highlights on the Volvo stand included the Volvo A60H, the world’s largest articulated hauler with 6-wheel drive; the EC750E, the latest and largest excavator available from Volvo in North America and the HX02, a concept battery-electric, fully autonomous load carrier, making its first public appearance. The show also coincided with the end of Volvo’s year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the articulated hauler, showcasing a gold-painted A40G articulated hauler, which has recently been auctioned at Richie Bros. – with proceeds benefitting SkillsUSA and Skills/Compétences Canada — organizations dedicated to bridging the skills gap of North America’s workforce.

The power of the Volvo Group

Within the Volvo Construction Equipment booth at ConExpo, Volvo Trucks showcased the Volvo VHD model for mixer and dump truck applications; highlighting the Volvo Group’s ability to provide complete construction solutions. The introduction at ConExpo of two new features for the Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission for vocational operations underscores Volvo Trucks’ focus on enhancing productivity and efficiency of specific construction applications. Volvo Penta, meanwhile, revealed its Stage V solution at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, which is optimized for tomorrow and keeps the highest focus on maximized uptime and fuel efficiency, and ease of installation, operation and maintenance.

Conexpo also saw several attractive offerings from Volvo Financial Services – not least the Smart Commercial Account Instant $500 Credit for all ConExpo visitors who signed up for a Smart Commercial Account. And with other offers promoting the purchase of new generation excavators and wheel loaders, as well as used equipment, VFS provided the right tools to invest, so customers can put the right tools to work.

Volvo wanted visitors to leave CONEXPO-CON/AGG knowing how the combination of its machines, coupled with the latest operating technology and fleet management solutions, can make an important contribution to lowering their cost of doing business. From the appreciative looks on the faces of industry visitors to Las Vegas this March, Volvo can consider it ‘Job Done’.