Testing Out The New Volvo EC550E Excavator

[@janellevoigt5481]

This was fun, looks like you liked it too, hope your eye is feeling/doing better today, thanks for taking us along!

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice machine, wouldn’t take long to dig a pond with it. Thanks for the ride along sir. Fun to play with I bet.

[@noelcxl2037]

Fabulous machine, in my nearly 30 years of operating I’ve never been on a machine that comes close to a Volvo and I’ve operated them all over the years. Best of luck with her.

[@randy925]

I was just there a couple weeks ago for Volvo mechanics training that facility is top notch!! Even played with the same machine. It’s quite the animal

[@marclangevin9152]

It has been 13 1/2 yrs since I last ran any equipment ( got laid off in 2009 and retired a couple of years later ) But under the right job conditions . I wouldn't mind running that machine . Thanks for the ride along !

[@richardw.foxhall3392]

The fully extended, bucket loaded off the right side track... tip, is a good indication that the machine needed the top mount counter weight to do that maneuver in a stable manner. Looks stable enough in line with the tracks. The adjustable width under carriage would save a lot of head aches with over width haul permits, but she is still a big heavy one... Thanks for the guided tour, Chris.

[@robmatthews7972]

Nice that Volvo lets you test drive new machines. Other than mining or building highways not too many contractors need one that big.

[@heatherlane9270]

You could dig a BIG borrow pit with that! Trees would just leave if the 550 came along. Huge machine with incredible technology.

[@MrErichonda30]

The borrow pit is your bank account.

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

WOW!! What a machine sir! She is a beauty. Glad you had the opportunity to test drive it. Fun, fun, fun. Hope your eye is better.

[@Vickie-Bligh]

Holy moly that's a big boy. 6' wide bucket? You could fill Barney in 4 scoops with that puppy. Looked like you were having fun.

[@Drew6709]

My dad operated Cat 245b excavators and could fill the Euclid trucks in I think 5 passes. 4 - 5 with the Bucyrus Erie 88B cable shovel.

[@debbiewebber1582]

Hope you've been following him the last few days. He's using it on a job. 3 scoops😂😂😂

[@jamesclover1427]

Hey Chris, you need that for your fleet! That would look great next to Barney. 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@sallylilienthal8835]

A Beast! And if this excavator operator gig doesn’t work out, you’d make a great sales rep!

[@davidcarberry3547]

you get that and your gona need another haultruck, all those adjustments sound awesome as long as they stay working, nice machine

[@rp1645]

Thank you for the demonstration of the Bigger VOLVO excavator. I had the privilege of meeting the President of Volvo at Con-Expo a few shows back. Very humble nice gentleman. Volvo Reminds me of (BE) BUCYRUS-ERIE back in mid 80s up till their End of Construction equipment build. The (500-H) it could have a standard 6 yard bucket. The track control reminds me of the old multi purpose control that the early machine had. In (BE) controls a full power pump to a foot pedal for Dipper arm. Was told by an operator that it was for pushing pipe home. Log loader set that foot pedal to be control of the Heel function.

[@AncientHermit]

Crazy stuff Chris.🙃 Thanks for the look over them.👍 Be well.😉

[@Damoinion]

Nice side balance demo! Shows why an additional counterweight has its uses for certain jobs.

[@everestyeti]

Really like the feet free option, as Chris says ideal when your clearing out gullies, river edges and pond edges. Also in the cab it was really quiet compared to being on the outside, companies have done a lot of R&D into all round operators comfort over the last few years. I think they have finally realised that is a place of work, you could be potentially spending 8 to 10 hours a day sat in one of those things. With feedback from people like Chris and Mike at DP, who have a lot of followers, the companies that make these are going to have to take note.

[@tujuprojects]

In my understanding that’s possible because that cabin doesn’t have pilot hydraulics in controls, everything is wired and hence easy to add more comtrols to it with software.

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

Thanks for the video Chris 👍 nice machine. Take care of yourself and Winston.

[@johnblecker4206]

Your new Volvo look's cool and with the extra programmable switches from Volvo plus the new style led screen your set to go.

[@thatdave86]

Volvo people,hey Chris we will leave you to try this out ,be back a few hours 🤗 They come back in 2hours and Chris is sitting there smiling and showing them a Pond he built for them 😛 All that tech ,you seem to be processing that well . Like everything,there's a right machine for the jobs you do and you have proved the 220 to be the best fit ,is there a new 250 in the line up ?

[@donmiller358]

Chris, looks like you felt pretty comfortable in that 550;😜

[@michiganengineer8621]

Wondering how much quicker you might have gotten things dug if you'd had that machine on the Bealy pond projects?

[@jebmcdonald5709]

Well it’s 2.5x so if you work out math....

[@RickyCervo]

Slower than you might imagine, except that he had a team of equally adequate machines

[@markpashia7067]

He would have needed a team of haul trucks to keep up with him since two scoops would have filled his one truck. Then you run into traffic flow issues especially backing down the dam to dump. All the extra hauling costs to get equipment to job sites plus extra fuel burn might have actually made it not profitable. The key to any job is right sizing the equipment and fuel burn rates offset against labor rates of workers. His 220 and haul truck are a pretty good compromise on the size jobs that he does regularly.

[@Mtlmshr]

@@markpashia7067 well said, I was thinking those questions and I answered them just as you did, it comes down to using the correct tool for the job. A cabinet maker generally does not use a sledgehammer 😳‼️

[@NoelyBob]

Couldn't go any faster than Barney

[@pinwizz69]

Just think how much faster Chris could have dug out the Bealy Good pond with that beast of a monster. He'd have had to buy a bigger Barney to haul all the dirt.

[@peterkitts8815]

This got me thinking of everything you have to consider on a job. Bigger machine needs more dirt hauling to keep up. 2 Barneys would be better than a bigger one. Then you need an extra driver too. Even 3 depending how far the dirt is being hauled. So along with the cost of the bigger machine you then have the cost of another hauler and the driver to operate it. Which also means an extra trip to haul another Barney to the job site. Becomes easy to see why you only go for these if you are always doing big, large scale jobs.

[@johnrobichaud2776]

@@peterkitts8815 makes total sense

[@bobbyb322]

Upgrades and maintenance, that's the game. You are well on your way

[@kaboom4679]

You can sure do some pond jobs with that beast . We need a sixth Great Lake anyway 😁 .

[@scottseibert4675]

Imagine how many ponds, trees knocked down, and stumps you could get done really quick with that monster. Nice ass machine thats for sure.

[@EdwardSimpson159]

Coming to a job site near you. Chris Guins and his new EC550E. Clearing faster than before. Want a 10 acre pond? No problem. Can't wait for the clearing or pond to be dug? No worries. He will have you covered there also. He'll bring out the monster EC950, and stump trees and dig your pond at the same time.

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

That's quite the machine. I wonder how it would do. I'm pulling out stumps. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦

[@quaileggsvermont]

I really hope your able to buy it! 👍🏻👍🏻💯💯

[@ricklane8554]

Wow Chris, this is a serieus toy I garantee you 🙂

[@richardellis3141]

very nice, looks pretty quick for that size machine as well. thanks for the video

[@stevekissel605]

U have to have a lot of work to keep those big guys fed. Great video 👍 👍

[@jbonegw]

Before turning off the weighing system what were the loads?

[@sewage111]

Lol.... First bucketful and he says "Oh yeah" Good stuff.

[@KevHarkins1]

15:18 machine is struggling here, suspect the eco engine is holding it back a little when compered to older gen

[@ThatcherKSA]

It looked like it was struggling the whole time. The material looked heavy and tacky, but defiantly struggled.

[@richardbowles7690]

I wonder if the on-board computing would allow you to write a macro -- to repeat actions. Seems like that would be handy for digging pipeline, or smoothing an area. With WiFi, perhaps you could operate remotely from pickup truck where coffee won't spill so easily.

[@dbTomadb]

Perfect for light gardening ^^

[@davemounce2665]

Greetings Chris. Imagine that bucket with your progressive link thumb.

[@garyflint1793]

Chris , it has your name on it. Joy stick works well with sock feet . Just replace the 977 Cat in for this. It might take a couple more $ to make the trade but you can manage it! I’ll put a little check in the mail as soon as I can find a few $. Your friend Gary.

[@TerrellSpivey]

Man!! That's a big boy there! Nice features too!

[@nigelhales874]

The biggest volvo I've driven was 30 tonnes Chris loading volvo dump trucks on site in London a nice excavor to drive smoothly 👍 hey your missing your thumb 👍 nice Chris

[@sophianolen1715]

I was just thinking about Bealy Good when someone else commended on him too. He called your other excavator a transformer but this one really looks like one. Glad to see you looking better and feeling better too. Now I would like to see how you use this one. Let's start digging.🤗

[@74_Green]

Operating weight 53,740 - 58,000 kg Gross power 340 kW ...at engine speed 1,600 rpm Bucket capacity 2.4 - 4.2 m³ Lifting capacity, along undercarriage 20,780 kg ...at reach / height 6 / 1.5 m Max. digging reach 12,180 mm Max. digging depth 7,690 mm Breakout force, SAE J1179 (Normal) 251 kN Breakout force, SAE J1179 (Boost) 269 kN Tear out force, SAE J1179 (Normal) 220 kN Overall width feet inches 3,900 mm Tear out force, SAE J1179 (Boost) 235 kN Tail swing radius 3,880 mm

[@robertstibz9506]

Hi, At one time in the 1980s, I was driving a truck, the machine of similar type to yours, had a 26 yard bucket, 4 buckets full and I got the beep to go to tip. Massive machines (O&K brand), you would have loved having a go on one.

[@michaelschuenemann3505]

Brilliant Machine - Thank You for the Explanations and taking it through it's Paces ! Many Cheers from us in Australia !!!!

[@kirk467]

Hey Chris, would that big machine even fit on top of a pond dam? Just wondering brother! What’s the reach difference between the 550 and the 220, just wondering?

[@anthonythomas5564]

Build a bigger dam.

[@jameslecompte5100]

Chris, you need a demo on your own site with this thing!

[@hydraulic-hum]

and now he is doing the Raleigh Ranch ponds with the Beast..

[@paulcoote3094]

Why is it jolting? Does it have bucket float on all axis? Does seat recline? It definitely needs an extra 10t counter weight. I would be interested to see its track compaction on narrow rolling.

[@gregstone1306]

That machine would take the struggle out of my jobs however my banker would probably shake his head. What a machine!

[@outdoormanBC]

Awesomeness!! Personally I would really like if you made a playlist of all your Machine Demos.

[@bwlyon]

Definitely needs the extra counterweight!

[@pauldillinger2286]

Damn thats a big bucket. I know there is bigger machines but that thing will move some material.

[@tomlamparty9421]

You'd need several haul trucks to keep up with that bad boy!!

[@Herbybandit]

So how does the extendable undercarriage work? Lift one track at a time? All done from the seat?

[@letsdig18]

Lift up the track unbolt and then pull it out with another machine

[@waltrobbins9367]

How much can it lift & drag? After dropping the bucket. Compared to a 349 & 490. Hydraulic pressures for demo hammers too.

[@carlmclelland7624]

You could have used this guy on the Vet Hospital. I LIKE the crawler controls on the joysticks. When are they delivering yours, Chris???

[@vincenthalas7055]

I can see you going crazy with that monster Chris..

[@SmithyScotland]

Hello from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@bobblundell2281]

3or 4 scoops to fill your off road truck , :) would look nice with a Letsdig18 logo on it

[@PromLesbian]

Volvo should give you one!

[@rons4778]

Catching up to the Jackson bros Chris

[@mischef18]

I am picking it could pull out trees like we pull out weeds bro. Thanks for letting us tag along. Safe travels

[@apollorobb]

Thats a beau-ti-ful thing. I wish i could get some of those functions on my 220

[@DougT25427]

As Chris walked around the machine I kept expecting to see a LetsDig18 decal plastered on its side... 🤣🤣🤣 Its too heavy for pond clean ups but I like the big bucket. Its seems to move surprisingly smooth.

[@darrendaines5244]

Nice, Your new upcoming purchase ???. that would pop out stumps quite nicely

[@ko9446]

Did Volvo ever train you on the electronics on your new machine?

[@2wwwilly]

Maybe big but may not be easy on soft ground to maneuver..

[@Mtlmshr]

I can’t imagine what a AMI LetsDig18 Thumb would look like on that bucket?!?!🤯🤔😳

[@58unclesam]

Looks like it would be a good idea to invest in the counter weight!

[@jacobbuckley8232]

Damn that's a massive bucket!

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

Soooooo, ... who was following you around with the bucket and mop, to sop up all the drool! 😁😱🤪🤣👍👍🇺🇸

[@richardhead3211]

looks like chis is on point with his yellow vest!

[@craigwavra3495]

Wow, that 550 is a wide unit. Maybe you can ask the Volvo folks to help you with your dig assist on your 220?!?!

[@FishFind3000]

You really gotta park a pickup next to it for scale.

[@rons3103]

Can't wait, 9 scope pond digs (OK 10)! 🤣🤣

[@donnamullins2089]

Chris just looking???? "Just like mine only 2 1/2 times bigger!!!! " That's a big bucket. 4 scoops to the dump truck??? Hope you eye is well. Have a great weekend.

[@gregnewlin1074]

That is one of those excavators that you need long duration contracts. To move that beast from job to job would cost you a fortune!

[@anekahobi1539]

Nice excavator Volvo 😍

[@dsdragoon]

The question is will it pluck a tree out of the ground with out digging around the tree? Would it pull stumps out of the ground with out the tracks leaving the ground? You showed us that a bucket of dirt would lift one side of the tracks off of the ground. It may really need that extra counter weight. What would it cost to haul it to a job site? A new truck and trailer? Permits coming and going? But I'm sure it's fun to operate.

[@spencer6764]

Massive I'm sure the video doesn't do any justice to how big that really is. 👍🏻👍🏻Thanks Brother

[@thomasleonard1846]

LetsDigBig18!👍

[@nickjones6747]

I don’t know why Cat can’t make functions speed adjustment that easy. Every thing we do is with a hoe and truck so the hoe is the main machine. I load load the side dumps with a 352f and 6 yard bucket so I can 3 pass them in and 1.5 minutes. They got a brand new next gen 352 and the bucket is very slow. Cat came out did some stuff but it didn’t help. I gave it 3 days and took the new hoe over and parked it and got the old 352 with 8000 hours and is still twice as fast as the new one.

[@jeffreybrookes9731]

Is that one of those house basements in Two Scoops machines

[@wilburroth5150]

So, when are you going to take delivery?

[@stephenmcquitty5549]

That digs a lot of dirt awesome

[@rdon53]

I guess with the right attachment that would be Volvo's version of the 'Stumps no More', looks like something you could handle.

[@paulmartin8212]

Give us an update on your eye. I don't know what order these videos come out. That machine is amazing.

[@csnelling4]

Now that’s a big boy Chris !!! 👌👍🍺thanks for the share 😊

[@bobkohl6779]

I hope Volvo covered you for the advertising. This would have cut down the time in the Bealy 5 acre pond.

[@whotknots]

I presume that the "boom down speed" feature relates to regulating a maximum rate of travel and you still have incremental control with the stick as well?

[@gentile-for-Jesus_Messiah]

"Big Bertha" would get along with "Barney" and "Betty" just fine..👌👍💪...

[@roseannvolrath2271]

Awesome Mr. G 🤩

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Really a nice machine. You need that,😊😊😊

[@pootmahgoots8482]

The man buys a brand new machine and is already looking at a bigger model. 🤣 That joystick drive function sounds like a game changer.

[@KB-gs8zi]

Hey Chris !!! Better hope that ""VOLVO "" doesn't get buried in a swamp for you to get out !! HAHA Will a ""THUMB" & your ""GRAPPLE "" fit on there too ?? Be a good ""PARTNERSHIP "" with John on this buy !!! 🤔🤔 Nice to see it operate even in the mud !!! 🙂🙃😊👍👍👍👍👍

[@damonwalker1719]

That's a beautiful Volvo 550😍😍😍😍it

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

Mr. Donnie is gonna need a bigger trailer !

[@nickbrett4331]

they should let you demo this on your next big pond job

[@meyer629]

Maybe Chris could broker some kind of deal like Mike Morgan has with Kubota! Sweeeeet!!

[@geebskerbal2771]

as a prarplegic the hand controls from factory are freaking cool. not that i have ever ran an equipment of any kind hahaha

[@johnpierce1251]

That’s a huge bucket load that would fill Barney in just a few scoops lol