Volvo Construction Equipment has upgraded its flagship L350H wheeled loader, improving its productivity and fuel efficiency and reducing service costs.

The Volvo L350H is designed for heavy applications, such as mining, quarrying and heavy infrastructure, and now comes with a “host of upgrades” to “enhance the profitability of customers’ applications”, said Volvo.

The L350H comes prepared for heavy-duty applications as standard from the factory thanks to its proven Z-bar lifting arm with double sealing on each of the pins, and strong frame structure, which is joined by a reinforced upper centre hinge and new Volvo axles.

“Whether it be log loading, rock loading, rehandling, block handling or slag handling, Volvo CE has the specialised package (of machine features, tyres and attachments) needed to achieve maximum performance,” said Volvo CE in a press announcement.

Among the improvements is a more responsive hydraulics system, featuring new lift and tilt cylinders, as well as an increased hydraulic working pressure that allows for 10% faster work cycles and higher productivity.

The driveline has also been upgraded with new Volvo axles and an all-new Volvo transmission, which enables the third generation OptiShift to be equipped as standard, said the manufacturer, adding that this proven technology, already found on the Volvo L150H-L260H wheeled loaders, integrates the Reverse by Braking function and the lock-up function in transmission to boost fuel efficiency by up to 15%.

Efficiency is further enhanced by an optimised gear shifting ratio and the new converter, which delivers higher outputs resulting in up to 22% more tractive force depending on selected gear and machine speed, said Volvo’s announcement.

The machine also has a more robust upper centre hinge bearing and updated frames to accommodate the new axles and transmission, Volvo added.

With the upgrade of the L350H, service intervals have been extended to enable customers to keep working with the machine for a longer time and reduce costs. The service intervals have been doubled to 4,000 hours for axle oil change, made possible by an axle oil cooler with filtration fitted as standard.

Customers can further minimise machine downtime and increase component life with features such as heavy-duty axles with fully floating shafts, planetary hub reduction and maintenance-free rear axle trunnion bearings, added Volvo.

Telematics connectivity and features such as Volvo’s Load Assist suite of apps accessed from the in-cab Volvo Co-Pilot display, further improve efficiency and uptime of the L350H. There is also the optional Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which enables the pressure and temperature of the wheeled loader’s tyres to be checked from the comfort of the cab and in doing so helps extend tyre life and save fuel.

The On-Board Weighing app does away with overloading, underloading and waiting times, providing real-time insights into the load of the bucket and payload of the load receiver.

The Operator Coaching Advanced app supports customers in using the L350H to its full potential, providing real-time information and guidance to operators to help them work in a way that delivers optimum productivity and fuel efficiency, with reduced machine wear.

Other complementary Volvo Services – including Productivity Report, EcoOperator training and ActiveCare – provide insights into ways to lower cost per ton and run the machine in a better way.

When it comes to the operator experience, the upgraded L350H provides high levels of comfort, convenience and safety to help operators achieve optimum results. As well as its standard remote-controlled door opening, air-conditioning and secondary steering system, there is also high visibility complemented by the optional electrically adjusted heated rearview mirrors, along with the rearview camera and radar detect system.

Operators can configure the machine according to the job with a choice of three hydraulic modes, customizable lockup engagement and rimpull control, while the bucket levelling function automatically returns the bucket to level, from both dump and curl positions, helping to reduce operator fatigue.