A new Volvo EC55C compact excavator has been supplied by Howard Plant Sales to ISM Waste Services and Recycling Ltd to re-handle industrial, commercial, domestic and special waste materials at the company's facility based at Ramsbottom Greater Manchester. The newly acquired EC55C joins an L45F loading shovel which was supplied four years ago along with a fleet of eighteen Volvo trucks which are deployed in various applications including bulk waste haulage, skip lorries and roll-on-off demountable trucks.

ISM, a family run business, was established forty nine years ago dealing in scrap metal and has since evolved into a significant independent waste handling and recycling concern with an on-going development of its facilities at Ramsbottom. Most recently ISM has made a significant investment in doubling the size of its MRF, adding a state of the art two tier picking line and a new Trommel which was commissioned back in February. "As we have continued to expand our recycling facility to almost twice its existing size, we needed to invest in a medium sized compact excavator complete with selector grab to help pick and sort a variety of material," explains Operations Director John Allen. "The EC55C offered us the best forward reach and the most spacious cab when we looked at models in the 5 to 6 tonne class and since we've had good service out of our L45F which was our first piece of Volvo construction equipment and taking third party advice, we decided to stick with the Volvo brand," he continues.

Powered by a proven, direct injection Volvo diesel engine developing 35.1kw, the EC55C offers high performance, leading fuel efficiency and low emissions/noise. High performance tractive forces make levelling and backfilling quick and efficient work. The float blade provides precision finishing through a minimal, yet consistent amount of blade force and the heavy-duty travel pedals, comparable to those on heavier excavators, provide precision and an ease of operation. The machine features Volvo's industry-leading comfortable cab for less fatigue and more production. The ergonomically-designed cab offers greater leg and foot room, making it one of the most spacious in its category. The machine supplied to ISM Waste Services and Recycling has been equipped with optional X3 grab rotation hydraulics to power the selector grab. (Hammer/shear and quick fit hydraulics come as standard). In addition the machine has benefitted from an optional screen guard, extra lighting, a white noise motion sensor and extra air filtration.

Equipped with a Pro Dem PSG400 selector grab, the EC55C's primary duties are to pick and sort a variety of the more diverse materials such as plastics, polythene, wood and cardboard from the receiving bays to aid better wholesale recycling on the picking line.

ISM Waste Services & Recycling provides a waste management service to over 300 customers ranging from local authorities to large industrial blue chip companies. Its services include waste collection, treatment, incineration, recycling, waste audit, technical assessment and on site waste management. The Ramsbottom facilities boast a state of the art waste transfer station which has recently doubled in size and is fully integrated into its Metal Recycling Facility.

Howard Plant Sales Ltd is the dealer for Volvo utility equipment including compact excavators, compact loaders, rollers and backhoe loaders covering the north west of England.

Volvo Construction Equipment Division markets wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, graders, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in the U.K. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.