Volvo Construction Equipment plans to start producing its next-generation 50-ton excavator this year with new automated safety technology, redesigned cab and longer service intervals.
A prototype of the EC500 was revealed at ConExpo in March to give attendees a sneak peek. It is designed to be a versatile machine for heavy-duty jobs in construction, road work, utilities, quarrying and aggregates.
Volvo says the model will likely undergo some changes ahead of production, which is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter. It will replace Volvo’s current 50-ton excavator, the EC480E.
“A pre-production model, there will be some differences to the appearance of the EC500 that will be available to our customers, but it gives an insight into the future, with enhanced safety, operability and productivity,” says Stephen Roy, president of Volvo CE North America.
The cab gets a new layout, styling and features, such as a high-definition Co-Pilot screen, keyless start, wired and wireless smartphone charging and a new work mode switch, according to Volvo.
The excavator will be equipped with Volvo Smart View with Obstacle Detection, which gives operators a 360-degree camera view. New for the camera system is radar that alerts operators to nearby obstacles with automatic alerts. It also identifies whether the approaching obstacle is human or not.
According to Roy, “the addition of Volvo Smart View with Obstacle Detection is another important step towards our vision for zero accidents.”
