Volvo Adds Fuel Efficiency, Auto Quick Coupler, Bird’s Eye to Wheel Loaders
Technology for its largest wheel loaders is coming down to midsize models, and its larger loaders are getting new features as...
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Volvo Construction Equipment is bringing technology typically reserved for its large wheel loaders to midsize models, and some new features for its large loaders as well.
The additional tech includes Volvo’s exclusive fuel-saving OptiShift transmission, a factory-fitted OilQuick automatic quick coupler for changing attachments without leaving the cab and an optional 360-degree bird’s eye camera system.
The company also plans a North America trial of its new certifiable onboard weighing system, in which the wheel loader generates load tickets so trucks can skip the scales.
OptiShift Tech
The L60, L70 and L90 — which range from 24,000 to 38,000 pounds — now get Volvo’s exclusive OptiShift technology, which has two main features for speeding up loading and unloading cycles, increasing fuel efficiency by up to 15%, smoothing operation and reducing wear:
- Reverse By Braking — typically used in short-cycle loading, enabling operators to smoothly shift between forward and reverse without having to apply the brakes or having to take their foot off the accelerator pedal. Along with increasing fuel efficiency and productivity, it reduces wear on the torque converter and transmission.
- Torque converter with lockup — all engine power goes to forward travel when lockup is activated for faster acceleration, smoother gear changes, less fuel consumption and improved hill climbing during load-and-carry operations, rehandling and transport. Lockup can be set to operate automatically in second, third and fourth gear or turned on and off manually by the operator.
OilQuick Automatic Quick Coupler
During this demonstration at ConExpo 2026, an excavator equipped with OilQuick switches among the lined-up attachments.Equipment World
More popular in Europe, automatic quick couplers have been gaining traction in the U.S. because of their ability to change out attachments in seconds without the operator having to leave the cab. The system not only connects and disconnects mechanical parts automatically but all hydraulic hoses and connections as well.
The system can reduce the number of machines on a jobsite as operators can move quickly among various attachments.
Volvo Smart View
For L150 through L260 wheel loaders — which range from 24 to 39 metric tons — owners can now opt for Volvo Smart View, designed to eliminate blind spots for operators.
The system uses four cameras to deliver a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the loader onto the in-cab Volvo Co-Pilot display. The company says the system “helps operators avoid obstacles, reduces the risk of accidents and decreases operator stress.”
On-Board Weighing with Load Ticket
Volvo has already rolled out its “certifiable on-board weighing with Load Ticket” in Europe for its diesel L110 through L260 models and is planning a trial of the system in North America.
The wheel loader actually generates the load tickets for the trucks it fills and wirelessly transmits the tickets to the office for direct invoicing. The company says the system can be certified by a third party to make it legal for contractors’ billings.
It also has the following benefits:
- Allows trucks to bypass site scales.
- Streamlines jobsite traffic and administrative efficiency.
- Eliminates paper tickets.
- Creates more accurate invoicing.
- Simplifies customer management.
“This technology digitizes the entire load-out process, from loading to invoicing,” says Jenny Olsen, Volvo CE product manager for productivity services.
“Combined with the machine updates, we’re providing solutions that offer increased productivity as a loader fills a truck, quick and accurate certified weighing, and a digital load ticket that goes straight to a customer’s ERP software and an invoice to their customer — all in less time than it would have taken for the operator to stop at the scales.”
