Volvo L90F wheel loader 2021 Operator Review

Tasmulch is Tasmania's leading supplier of high-quality mulching services, aggregates, decorative rock product, sand, soil, stone and specialty composed products for the landscaping industry.

Very few companies in the state can lay claim to Tasmulch's depth of experience in the industry. With a decade of operations under its belt, it's fair to say the company has faced and overcame every operational situation imaginable.

Director, Michael George, embodies the very values the company stands for, which is professionalism and customer service. Even today, he still climbs behind the wheel of a loader or truck when required.

Since Tasmulch's inception, George has strived to ensure that the company delivers on its words. "Our business model is based on hard work, integrity and just plain getting the job done," he explained. "Essentially, we do what we say we're going to do.”

George said the philosophy was shared by CJD Equipment, which made it easy for him to work with the company when sourcing machinery. So when the time came for him to look for a new wheel loader for his sand quarry operation at Bakers Beach in the North of Tasmania, his first port of call was CJD Equipment Launceston.

"There were a few things that drove us towards the Volvo loader," he explained.

"Fuel economy, along with driver comfort and safety were some of the factors that really swayed us towards the machine. Our Baker's Creek quarry is only a small-scale operation, and we felt that the L90 wheel loader ideally suited this task.”

Volvo's D6E engine with Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology (V-ACT) powers the L90F loader. The 5.7-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with common-rail fuel injection system and switchable internal Exhaust Gas Recirculation (I-EGR) complies with US Tier 3 and EU Stage IIIA engine emissions standards. The engine’s low speed helps drop noise levels by 2dBA, both inside and outside the cab.

It delivers max torque between 1000RPM and 1600RPM, giving the L90F excellent rimpull while lowering fuel consumption.

Engine power is transferred to the ground via a new smooth-shifting electric-hydraulic Volvo HTE125 transmission. Operators only need to select forward or reverse in the cab and the Volvo Automatic Power Shift (APS) takes over and determines which of the four forward or four reverse gears is required for the task; as well as the moment to change ratio.

The transmission's electronic smarts include four different gear-shifting programs independent of both machine and engine speed.

One feature that Michael particularly likes is the engine control unit’s ability to adapt to the operator's driving style. It optimises gear changing parameters and selects the right gear for the application every time, which helps save fuel.

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The clutches are oil-filled for added operator comfort, while a Pulse-Width Modulation Valve in the transmission allows smoother gear shifting and reduced jolting when changing between gears.

"This transmission is also significantly quieter than any transmission I've come across in other loaders," George added.

"One thing that instils confidence in this machine is the fact that all major components in the driveline (engine, transmission, axles) are engineered and built by Volvo. That means they will work in harmony in terms of performance, reliability and also fuel efficiency.

“It also makes maintaining and servicing the machine more economical."

The L90F loader is equipped with Volvo's wet, circulation-cooled disc brakes and features a front axle differential lock and ‘lubricated for life’ rear axle bearings.

"It certainly is a flexible machine in every way," George said.

"The TP-linkage system from Volvo combined with a range of Volvo attachments turns this wheel loader into a real all-rounder, which is a terrific asset for a small quarry like our Bakers Beach operation."

George added the viscous cab mount on his L90F greatly reduces vibration and noise, allowing for a far more comfortable operation.

Other cabin features include ample storage compartments, laminated front windshield, sliding side window, adjustable steering wheel and halogen work lights on the front and rear. Dash visibility is great, George added, while worksite visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows.

"Our L90F is in charge of a whole range of duties at Bakers Beach such as loading raw material into the primary crusher; separating commodities; rehandling and stockpiling processed materials from the screenings plant; and loading material out onto trucks,” George said.

“The machine will normally work a ten-hour daily shift and is certainly doing its part to improve productivity at the quarry.”

Operator safety is always a top priority for Volvo, and these loaders take it to another level. George said he was properly impressed by the seemingly simple but crucial safety features on the machine such as the interior grab handle and the ladder's inclination angle.

George had nothing but praise for the CJD Launceston team when it comes to keeping Tasmulch’s machines in tip top condition.

“CJD will send a field maintenance truck to our quarry to perform a full service on the loader so we don’t have to transport it all the way to Launceston,” he said.

"A little over 12 months ago, we purchased two Volvo mini excavators for our retail yard at Longford and they are also proving to be of great benefit to our business," George said.

"I can't fault this L90F loader; we've had no issues with it at all. It's been nothing but a terrific asset for us, and it has certainly increased our production levels.

“In fact, we are actually talking to CJD about getting another one to do the screening and quarry operation.”

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