Cox Construction Limited, a reputable road building company in Ontario, Canada, has made an environmentally friendly decision to incorporate the electric Volvo ECR25 Excavator into its quarry operations. Established in 1946 by Russel Cox, they have been a prominent player in the road building industry. Over the years, the company has diversified its services and now excels in various areas, including gravel crushing. With a rich history spanning decades, Cox Construction has earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in the construction sector.
Cox Construction’s long-standing partnership with Strongco dates back more than fifty years. “The recent addition of a Strongco branch in Kitchener has further enhanced our level of customer service and support with them”, says Regan Cox, President of Cox Construction Limited. Strongco’s investment in the new facility in Kitchener helps solidify the already strong partnership between the two companies.
They currently own 7 Volvo excavators ranging in size from the Volvo ECR25 to the Volvo EC380 excavator, which are put to work on various construction and quarry operation applications. The decision to purchase the Volvo ECR25 electric excavator stemmed from several key factors. Firstly, the company frequently rented mini excavators for construction purposes, and by introducing a mini excavator into its crushing operation, a unit was freed up for construction activities. Moreover, Cox Construction’s ability to generate its own electricity at the crushing plant simplified the recharging process for the electric excavator. So, the Volvo ECR25 electric mini excavator was an environmentally friendly answer to their needs, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
When Cox Construction decided to invest in the electric excavator, their primary expectation was for the machine to meet the operational requirements of their quarry. Specifically, the excavator needed to effectively power and operate a BTI model TM 285 ME hydraulic beaker.
The excavator had to handle the high demands of this powerful attachment, a 750 ft.lb. class hammer operating at 750 to 1000 bmp, which sorts or breaks the oversize pieces that bridge in the crushing chamber. They also wanted to embrace the opportunity to explore the potential benefits, efficiency, and cost savings that could be achieved through the adoption of electric machinery.
Throughout the purchase and implementation process of the Volvo ECR25 Electric Excavator, Strongco and Volvo Construction Equipment have been reliable partners, offering valuable support to Cox Construction.
We were able to talk to Volvo’s engineering and they became quite interested in the idea and I guess the rest is history. Says, Regan Cox.
Strongco facilitated conversations with Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) and ensured a smooth onboarding process with the machine. Patiently addressing any challenges or obstacles, Strongco and Volvo played a crucial role in Cox Construction’s successful adoption of the electric excavator.
Cox Construction received comprehensive training from Strongco’s knowledgeable sales representative, Ben Waldron, who familiarized the team with the operation and maintenance of the electric excavator. The transition from diesel-powered machines to the electric excavator was relatively straightforward for Cox Construction’s experienced personnel, ensuring a seamless integration.
Although Cox Construction has only utilized the Volvo ECR25 Electric Excavator for a short period, they do acknowledge the challenge posed by the reduced hydraulic capacity of the electric mini excavator, but initial results indicate satisfactory performance so far.
While it is too early to measure significant improvements in terms of productivity, efficiency, or cost savings, Cox Construction remains optimistic about the future impact of this sustainable investment and hope there are more opportunities like this in the future.
