Volvo’s new and updated compaction solutions offer more uptime for roadbuilders
A new electric roller and updated soil compactors and a pneumatic tire roller were introduced at World of Asphalt
Volvo Construction Equipment continues to enhance its soil and asphalt compaction product lines with several upgrades to existing models and the introduction of a new electric model.
Updates to the SD75 and SD45 soil compactors and the PT125 pneumatic tire roller include features that enhance safety, serviceability, and the user interface for operators. The most recent machines were displayed at World of Asphalt/AGG1 in St. Louis where attendees got the first look at a DD15 Electric asphalt compactor.
Updates on compaction equipment
The SD45, SD75, and PT125 are now equipped for over-the-air software updates as they become available, and the wiring design has been optimized for commonality, cost-effectiveness, and ease of service.
To increase uptime, Volvo doubled the diesel particulate filter replacement intervals on these machines from 3,000 to 6,000 hours.
LED work lights and beacons replace halogen lights, and telematics systems now include GSM/GPS and SATCOM antennas for improved machine connectivity.
There are also several human-machine interfaces (HMI) upgrades, including all-new software, advanced keypads, a USB charging port, and a 5-inch full-colour LCD display — the same display available on the Volvo compact double drum compactor and excavator models. Additional HMI improvements include auto idle and auto engine shutdown to reduce fuel consumption, and an indicator for remaining hours of fuel.
The HMI on the updated SD75 now includes a fan reverse menu selection and an optional five-frequency selection feature that allows the operator to select by surface type rather than frequency number.
The upgraded PT125 also has a new drive motor with an integrated speed sensor for optimal performance.
Electric model reduces emissions on small jobs
The 1.5-ton DD15 Electric asphalt compactor is a double drum machine with features similar to the 2.5-ton DD25 Electric. Its size fits small-scale jobs like parking lots, driveways, and municipal work.
The DD15 Electric can fully charge in three and a half hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charging setup or in 12 hours with a 120-volt Level 1 outlet. Contractors can get a few days of work from the compactor with typical light usage, especially considering that electric machines don't accumulate idle hours like diesel machines do.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Scott Young, president of North America, said that the upgrades demonstrate Volvo's ongoing commitment to offering a diverse product range for those in the aggregates and roadbuilding industries.
"We've been designing, refining, and manufacturing compactors in Shippensburg for decades," said Young. "So we understand what helps contractors get their jobs done right, as safely and efficiently as possible. These machines are a testament to that."
