Volvo EW160E wheeled excavator great for speed

While tracked excavators are far more common in the construction industry, wheeled excavators certainly have their place, especially on more delicate surfaces or when travelling from site to site.

The EW160E is Volvo Construction Equipment’s 16-tonne wheeled offering boasting dual wheels both front and rear, as well as a dozer blade at the front and stabilisers at the rear.

The machine was on display at the stand of local Volvo CE distributor, CJD Equipment, at the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show in Brisbane in May 2023.

Its wheels allow it to travel up to 25km/h, as opposed to the max speed of 6km/h on a tracked excavator, CJD Equipment said.

“So if you have distances to travel, it’s an easy way to get about,” said CJD Equipment’s Bruce McNicol.

Another unique feature of the machine is the trailer hitch at the back, which transforms it into a tow vehicle to tow a trailer loaded with tools if required.

Its boom suspension system helps to keep the boom and bucket afloat even when travelling at speed, maintaining the load in it and ensuring the boom and bucket don’t crash to the ground.

Other safety features include heavy-duty craning valves to protect the hydraulic hoses and a fully enclosed cab.

Inside the cab, controls are set out ergonomically and an LCD screen displays crucial machine operating information and parameters so operators can keep track of machine use and maintenance needs.  

“The engine, a Volvo D6J, meets Stage Five emission standards,” McNicol said.

“There’s plenty of power and all the hydraulics and running gear are made by Volvo. So you can be assured that they integrate and work well together.

“Standard maintenance is every 500 hours. There are compartments that make it easier to get to all of the regular maintenance items so daily checks are easy to do.

“We also have all the filters put together so everything’s neat and tidy and easily accessible.”

McNicol added the EW160E, like all of Volvo’s machines, have been designed in accordance with Volvo’s three key principles – quality, safety, and care for the environment.

“With those three, every product that Volvo builds ensures that you’re getting something which is safe to use, has given consideration to the environment and keeps your operator happy,” McNicol explained.