Introduced a decade ago – and still going strong – the 20-ton machines have undergone a host of upgrades, including new engine and electronics, plus a host of maintenance-friendly features, ensuring increased performance and uptime in the next decade.
The L110H and L120H wheel loaders have been the mainstay of Volvo Construction Equipment’s (Volvo CE) medium sized wheel loader line-up since being launched in 2014. With their range of attachments for different applications (including 3.0-3.6m³ rehandling buckets), their productivity and ease of maintenance – not to mention operator comfort – its no surprise that more than 13,000 units have been sold over the last decade.
But even the best machines need to move with the times, and so the engineers have given the L110H and L120H a comprehensive makeover that focuses on increased uptime and convenience – for operators and technicians.
On-the-go regeneration
The biggest headline-grabbing aspect of the upgrade is the addition of a new Volvo engine. Unlike its predecessor, the new engine automatically regenerates while working – meaning no need to stop and park up.
This technology has been available on the company’s larger wheel loaders, and is tried and trusted. The engine also features a new electric pump for priming the fuel system, making the procedure quicker and more convenient than with the former manual pump.
And when the fuel gets to the engine you can be confident that it is clean – thanks to new captive fuel filters . These not only ensure good water separation, they also help extend engine service intervals out to an impressive 1,000 hours.
Upgraded electrics
Both wheel loaders now feature an all-new ignition strategy, which is designed to make operators’ lives easier. Just as in Volvo articulated haulers, the ignition key now activates and powers the machine, with no need to turn on the ground-level Main Switch at the start of every shift, before climbing into the cab.
This approach was first introduced in Volvo CE’s L60H, L70H, L90H wheel loaders, and on the L350H unit, both receiving positive operator feedback. Quite apart from offering added convenience to operators on start up and shutdown, it also removes the risk of the battery running flat overnight because the Main Switch has been left on.
The new ignition strategy has also been designed with technicians in mind. A feature also found on the L60H-L90H and L350H is now being introduced as standard on the L110H-L120H – a lockout-tagout. Known by its acronym ‘LOTO’, this feature makes it easier to lock the battery disconnect switch in the OFF-position – thereby preventing any unwelcome energy release when conducting maintenance work.
The long serving L110H and L120H still enjoy all the other features and benefits that have made them so popular over the last decade. Always productive and built with the convenience of operators and technicians alike, this package of upgrades makes them even more so.
The L110H and L120H are part of a comprehensive line up of wheel loaders from Volvo Construction Equipment – ranging from the compact 4.5-ton L20 Electric, all the way up to the company’s 50-ton L350H.
