Volvo ECR355 Short Swing Excavator

A drainage excavation beside an existing structure can require substantial digging depth and lifting capability while leaving limited room for the machine to turn. For these jobs, excavator selection starts with the available space and the work to be completed within it.

The Volvo ECR355 is a 35-tonne-class short-swing excavator worth assessing when the task calls for a larger machine but rear clearance is restricted. Its suitability depends on the complete working arrangement: the excavation, attachment, lifting duties, ground conditions and position of surrounding plant.

What short-swing design changes are on-site

Tail-swing radius describes the distance from the machine’s centre of rotation to the outermost point of its rear as the upper structure turns. A shorter radius reduces the space needed behind the excavator during that movement.

That can be useful alongside structures, within constrained civil works or where access needs to be maintained beside an excavation. It gives the contractor another option when a conventional excavator’s rear working envelope makes positioning difficult.

However, rear clearance is only one dimension. The boom, arm, bucket and any lifted load still require room to move. Track width, access routes and the space needed to load a truck must also be considered.

Before selecting a machine, map the work area around the actual task. Establish where the excavator can stand, where the material will go and how other vehicles will enter and leave.

Assess digging requirements and machine configuration.

Volvo’s Australian product information lists the ECR355 with an operating weight of 35,522–37,136 kg, gross power of 189 kW and bucket capacities from 0.6–2.5 m³. The published tail-swing radius is 2,040 mm.

These figures provide a starting point. The appropriate configuration depends on the work.

For trenching, consider the required depth, trench width, material and position of spoil or loading vehicles. For bulk excavation, assess bucket fill, digging resistance, and the distance the material needs to be moved.

Attachment selection deserves particular attention. A bucket suited to loose material may be unsuitable for dense rock, while a coupler or specialist attachment changes the weight carried at the end of the arm. Those choices influence the machine’s digging and lifting duties.

Confirm the boom, arm, undercarriage and attachment combination against the intended application before committing to a specification.

Check lifting duties against the load chart.

Drainage and infrastructure work may require an excavator to handle pipes, pits, and other components, as well as to move excavated material.

Assess each lifting duty using the load chart for the proposed machine configuration. Load weight, working radius, lift height and lifting direction all affect the assessment. Include the weight of the attachment, coupler and lifting accessories.

Ground conditions also matter. The machine’s position and support need to suit the planned lift, particularly where work is carried out near an excavation.

A general lifting-capacity figure cannot establish suitability for every lift. The useful question is whether the selected configuration can carry out the required duty at the position the site allows.

Hydraulic control for digging and placement

The ECR355 uses an electro-hydraulic control system to manage hydraulic functions. Electronic sensors and the onboard computer regulate flow through the main control valve, supporting responsive boom, arm and bucket movements.

For an operator alternating between excavation, placement, and loading, the practical consideration is how the machine responds at each stage of the task. A demonstration should reflect that sequence.

Assess control during a loaded swing, bucket placement and combined movements. Where precision work is a significant part of the application, discuss the available control settings and machine control options with CJD Equipment.

Operator familiarisation should cover the delivered configuration and the settings relevant to the job. Features are most useful when the operator understands how to apply them.

Plan truck positioning and material movement

An excavator may fit comfortably within a restricted work area while the loading arrangement remains inefficient.

Consider where trucks can stand, how far the excavator must swing and whether vehicles can approach without repeated repositioning. Check whether spoil placement obstructs access or creates additional handling later.

For hire fleets, these requirements may change between projects. Discuss the likely mix of trenching, loading, and attachment work when assessing the machine, rather than basing the purchase on a single representative job.

A useful site assessment links machine dimensions to the movement of materials and vehicles throughout the shift.

Include servicing in the access plan.

Restricted sites can also make routine maintenance more difficult. Allow space for inspections, refuelling and service access when planning the machine’s working position.

Before delivery, establish who will complete daily checks, how faults will be reported and how scheduled maintenance will be organised. For equipment moving between projects, clear responsibility helps prevent service requirements from being overlooked during mobilisation.

Discuss maintenance arrangements alongside the machine specification. Expected annual hours, project location, and attachment use all contribute to the ownership plan.

Australian application: HEX Hire

CJD Equipment has recently supplied HEX Hire with a Volvo ECR355 for work in South Australia. The delivery announcement identifies civil construction and major infrastructure projects as applications for the machine.

That provides a local example of the ECR355 entering an Australian hire fleet. Site performance should be assessed against the specific job and configuration; delivery alone does not determine production or fuel consumption results.

Discuss the work before selecting the machine.

Bring the site layout, digging requirements, lifting duties and proposed attachments into the selection discussion. These details help establish whether a short-swing excavator suits the application and which configuration requires assessment.

Discuss your machine and ownership requirements.

Talk to your local CJD Equipment team about the Volvo ECR355, the configuration your work requires and eligibility for the servicing or extended warranty offer.

Choose scheduled servicing or an extended warranty.

When assessing a new Volvo ECR355, include maintenance and warranty coverage in the ownership discussion.

CJD Equipment’s current promotion gives customers purchasing an eligible new Volvo excavator a choice of:

• 2,000 hours of scheduled servicing, completed by CJD Equipment using genuine Volvo parts at the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals; or

• A 3-year/6,000-hour Extended Full Machine Warranty, whichever occurs first from delivery, subject to Volvo Construction Equipment’s warranty terms.

Scheduled servicing helps you plan the machine’s routine maintenance requirements. An extended warranty provides cover under the applicable terms for a longer ownership period. The appropriate choice depends on expected operating hours, existing maintenance arrangements and how long you intend to retain the machine.

The promotion applies to eligible new Volvo GPE excavators within the EC140–EC480 range purchased between 1 July and 31 December 2026. Machines must be delivered by 28 January 2027.

The servicing option includes travel within 50 km or one hour of the closest CJD branch; additional travel is invoiced. It excludes repairs, wear items, damage, consumables and work outside the scheduled maintenance programme. The offer is non-transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash or credit, and cannot be combined with another promotion unless approved by CJD Equipment.