Contract miner Rango Inc. reported that pairing a Volvo EC950F crawler excavator with Volvo A60s improved cycle times by 25% over previous truck-shovel combos.
The shovel fills the trucks in four passes with an average cycle time of roughly a minute, Volvo reported.
The shovel also offers improved mobility, Rango said. “Finding machines that can get the jobs done and are easier to transport has been huge for us,” said Jeff Logan, chief operating officer, Rango. “We can literally move into a property overnight. We’ve started jobs in less than 12 hours. We come in with the heavy haul division, bring in all the equipment, and we can achieve results over the weekend. It’s incredible.”
The Volvo machines are remotely monitored using Volvo ActiveCare Direct, which allows fleet managers and dealers
to track issues that impact costs. The system allows users to nix non-critical alarms and to instead focus on areas of critical importance, like fuel consumption, idle times and wear on machines.
“In this business, it’s all about keeping your machines up and running, and maximizing productivity and efficiency,” Logan said. “When you focus on that, you can build your way up from the ground floor and create a profitable company you’re proud to be a part of.”
Based in Mesa, Arizona, Rango employs 400 personnel, operates 250 pieces of heavy equipment, and is involved in projects at 22 sites in five states. They specialize in material transport, reclamation, construction, equipment transport and mine management.
