New generation Volvo EC500 takes on tough demolition challenge

A new generation EC500 crawler excavator from Volvo CE – and the first of its kind in the UK - is showcasing its formidable might on a huge and demanding demolition project. To transform the site of a former aluminium plant for future development.

The challenge of removing an estimated 90,000m³ of heavily reinforced concrete and preparing the ground at a 200-hectare site on the outskirts of Holyhead in Wales called for a serious heavy-weight. The solution? The new generation Volvo EC500 – and this powerhouse is more than proving it is up to the task.

The first new generation EC500 in the UK is owned by Rock Remediation, part of Rock Civil Engineering. A family-owned civil engineering, construction and plant hire company led by Connor Kane, it specializes in large-scale civil projects across the UK including remediation of contaminated land, soil stabilization, and groundworks.




Following the demolition and clearing of the buildings and 140-meter-high chimney at the former production plant, a plateau of concrete was all that was left.




Experienced operator, Paul Faulkner, from Rock Civil Engineering, explains: “Concrete and rebar couldn’t have cost that much in the late 1960s! We have encountered some heavily reinforced material on this job, and while our smaller machines could just about handle them, Connor wanted to expand our fleet to allow us to manage this, and future projects more easily.”

Comfortable operator experience
With an operating weight of just over 53 tons, the new generation EC500 is immediately winning fans. Paul says it is simply amazing in terms of power and comfort. “The improvements to the cab are brilliant. There’s so much room in there, the seat is excellent, and everything just seems to feel right and be in the right place.”

A key part of the new design included a revamp to make the machine more spacious and ergonomic than ever before. The updated cab includes a heated/cooled seat with plenty of space to allow any operator to find their perfect seating position. The heating and ventilation system has also been improved, as have the media upgrades, which now include both wired and wireless charging options and a Bluetooth speaker.

New advanced electric control joysticks and fully electric travel pedals are highly responsive and have additional switches and rollers allowing a variety of functions to be performed without the operator’s hands having to let them go.




The right-hand side of the cab is dominated by the new Volvo Co-Pilot 12.8” display with full HD resolution. Volvo Co-Pilot is a state-of-the-art touchscreen tablet that powers all Volvo Assist platforms, using on-board machine data and high-precision sensors to enable tasks to be completed efficiently and easily. Simple and intuitive, operators can set up projects in just a few touches by selecting the required job parameters. They can then monitor the job’s progress and stay safe, with on-screen alerts that indicate when pre-set parameters are met. Volvo Co-Pilot is 3G compatible when equipped with a SIM card, allowing software updates to be received automatically and wirelessly.

The new generation EC500 is also equipped with Volvo Smart View with Obstacle Classification. This gives operators a 360° view of the machine’s surroundings thanks to the camera and new radar system. The technology can identify obstacles as either an object or human, alerting the operator so they can take appropriate action.

It is also fitted with Volvo Dig Assist which provides built-in machine guidance and control technology. While not required for the bulk of the concrete removal, it will be a beneficial tool for Rock Civil Engineering when the final earthworks side of the project kicks off. The addition of On-Board Weighing on the excavator provides real-time insights into the bucket’s load, helping to eliminate overloading, underloading, reweighing and waiting times.

A weighty job needs a powerful machine



The first job for the excavator was the removal of column bases along the perimeter of the former aluminum storage shed. Measuring 3 meters by 3 meters and around 1 meter in depth, the blocks were loosened using the ripper attachment, before being carefully lifted out and placed on the slab ready for breaking.

“The weighing system shows each block is around the 12-tonne mark, with one or two closing in on 15-tonnes,” Paul said. “They take a bit of handling, but the Volvo is easily on top of the job.” Lifting each block free from the ground will allow the material to be broken and processed quicker and easier than breaking it in situ.

The EC500 has a 423hp, 13-liter D13j engine which pushes out maximum torque levels of 2070Nm at just 1300rpm. This combination of high torque at low engine rpm provides a quiet and fuel-efficient machine, which Paul believes delivers unbeatable performance in the weight range.

The engine powers a new electro-hydraulic system with an enhanced main control value. This intelligent technology uses electric sensors to monitor the operator’s movements and send signals to the machine’s onboard computer, which processes the information and sends commands to the main control valve. The result is smooth and precise movement of the excavator’s boom, bucket and other hydraulic functions, allowing for more accurate digging and loading.




Rock Remediation’s EC500 has been supplied with a 7-meter boom and 2.55-meter stick and carries a full suite of additional hydraulic services. A Miller GTX quick hitch has been fitted to allow the excavator to swap between bucket and ripper. The standard excavation bucket has been supplemented with a heavy-duty bucket and ripper supplied by Strickland.

Connor Kane, Head of Rock Civil Engineering said: “We’ve had excellent service from SMT on our existing fleet, and we hope this continues with the new machine. We like the power and productivity the machines provide, along with their fuel efficiency and high operator acceptance. If the EC500 carries on in this vein, we’ll be more than happy to continue our relationship with the manufacturer.”

www.volvoce.com