Volvo Construction Equipment has revamped its EWR150 and EWR170 short-swing wheeled excavators, with new features including an industry-first retractable ladder for easier access.
Other enhancements to the new generation include increased reach, increased lifting capacity, reduction in front swing radius by more than 500 mm and, for the EWR150, a 10% increase in engine power.
The Volvo-patented electronically retractable ladder – a first for the industry – will be introduced to the models from 2026, alongside a new four-wheel steering option.
The increased lifting capacity over the front of the machine has been made possible by the use of larger diameter lift cylinders.
In the EWR150, customers benefit from nearly 10% more engine power compared to the previous generation thanks to the new 115kW engine, equipping the EWR150 to take on tough tasks in heavy-duty applications and matching the existing 115kW engine power of the EWR170.
Swing torque is also increased by 10%, compared to the previous generation, enabling more controlled machine movements, Volvo says.
The EWR150 and EWR170 are substantially be customisable: buyers can to choose between 2.0, 2.4 and 2.6 metre arm lengths on the EWR150 and 2.0, 2.5 and 3.1 metre arms on the EWR170.
The undercarriage is also customisable with a choice of outrigger, blade or no equipment on both the front and rear of the machine. An optional 2.75-metre wide axle – already an option on the previous generation EWR170 but new to the EWR150 – provides further flexibility, giving enhanced stability when lifting over the side.
Inside the cab has been redesigned for added operator comfort and convenience. Features include improved visibility, reduced noise levels and more ergonomic controls.
A new operator interface presents operating information on a single 12.8-inch touchscreen, integrated into the right-hand console.
A variety of newly designed armrests, which contain fewer switches and controls and no longer touch the tilting console, further improve in-cab ergonomics.
Product manager Marc Engels says: “It was 2016 that we first brought the EWR150 to the market, followed by the EWR170 in 2018, and since then they have firmly established themselves as leaders in their class. Simply put, the best 17-ton and 15-ton short swing radius wheel excavators in the industry just got better with the arrival of the new generation.”
