Volvo loading shovel for clamp work.

[jd6820]

Hi everyone,

Now I know I could be opening a can of worms with this one, given some differing views on this topic. I'm not really after a slagging match as to why a JCB is or isn't a better machine, but whether or not a Volvo L70C or D, would be up to doing a bit of buckraking. If so, what is there to look out for, how many hours considered too many, is there a spec suited to the job i.e. limited slip diffs or diff-lock (both optional extras on the L70C and D looking at the sales brochure). As some of you may have gathered I'm a mechanic by trade so a bit of TLC or maintenance doesn't scare me, I plan to fit the job in round my current round just as a change of scenery. I'm completely new to the concept of what makes a good shovel for clamp work but not new to the mechanics and operations of said machines as such.

Thank you for your time,
jd6820

 

[Treemover]

I run an L70c
Considered small and light by today’s machines, as most run L90s or 110s.

Mine has I think 18000 hours;
I know brakes are expensive.
My pins are getting sloppy so looking to re pin or line bore.

If you can find a low houred machine ie below 10,000 hours with an auto greaser; and good brakes.

L70d have a higher ratio 1st gear and gave trouble on pits with 750/60 26.5
Tires.

 

[bovrill]

25 years ago plus, I drove an L50 then an L70 briefly on clamping, and they were master of the job back then. But that was with a New Holland 1905 chopper, which didn't throw the crop at you quite as quick as a modern machine!
I think the L70 had 1050 tyres on, which looked the part, and were great for rolling in, but had the wrong tread, and would spin a wheel pushing up the face too easily.
Volvo loader controls have always been the best in my opinion. There's a couple of fairly modern L50s near here, and they are still very fast and intuitive to use.

 

[Chae1]

@Fraserb

 

[Fraserb]

We've an L70c used to do all the buckraking but noe a tractor and buckrakedoes most of the pushing up and Volvo levels and rolls. There's no way one machine could properly clear and rill grass from the current spfh, was fine with the older ones.

Ours has over 25000 hrs on it and has been very little trouble, starter motor, alternator, ignition barrel, water pump and a few hoses. We put some new pins and bushes into the loader a few years ago.

 

[Frankzy]

A local uses an L60G alongside a Ljungby L15, don't know how it stacks up weight wise to older L70 but the Volvo is having no problems at all with the job.

 

[lloyd]

i know ts not the same model but
spoke to operator in local quarry and he rates Volvo highly more so than Cat.

 

[nick...]

Volvo are the Rolls Royce of shovels as well as adt’s
Nick...

 

[Frankzy]

He rates Volvo highly more so than Cat.

Not much of an achievement to be rated higher than Cat...

Volvo are the Rolls Royce of shovels as well as adt’s
Nick...

Volvo is head and shoulder over most but in my opinion Ljungby is just slightly ahead of them, don't think they have any dealers in the UK though.