In these times, a new machine is not always the right fit for construction equipment owners. There could be budget or timing issues. A machine is paid off and its owner would like to keep it that way. Or, since it’s been a dependable piece of equipment, perhaps one wants to get even more out of it.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) released its refurbishment program in 2008, based on the premise that a mid-life remake of the equipment is, many times, the best economical option for machine owners. It drives machine uptime, controls cost and enhances residual value. Studies have demonstrated that for Volvo heavy equipment the best refurbishment window is between 12,000 to 20,000 operating hours, depending on the application and maintenance practices.
“During our months of investigation into a program of this type, we became convinced that a system built upon high standards of dealer certification, firm content and time committed agreements and backed by factory warranties would enhance the productivity and profitability of equipment and the businesses owning them,” said Kevin Stock, product manager, and developer and manager of the program. “We are now seeing the fruits of our labor — customers are seeing the benefits of ’starting over’, if you will.”
The Volvo CE certified refurbishment program begins with a thorough project scope of parts to be rebuilt/replaced that has been determined through detailed analysis of the equipment. In addition, the machine is inspected and an analysis of the machine and its current condition are made. The machine is disassembled to the level required for the rebuild and components are rebuilt or replaced (a Volvo-trained master technician assists in the determination of repair/rebuild recommendations).
Every stage of the refurbishment procedure — from the initial inspection through final reassembly to operational warranty tests — follows strict guidelines and is thoroughly documented. Warranties are provided for specific rebuild/refurbishment actions, and follow-up inspections are made within a specified time frame of placing the “new” machine back into operation. Reassembly of the machine includes repainting, adding new decals, and detailing the cab of the machine for that new machine look.
Since the Volvo CE Certified Refurbishment Program went active in the industry in late 2008, the company has been strategically certifying dealers throughout the North America region.
“The dealer certification process is as rigid and demanding as the requirements for work on the machine itself,” said Stock. “Volvo CE requires our dealers to pass a 200-point evaluation before being named a certified dealer for this program.”
To assist machine owners, Volvo Financial Services has custom-engineered a program to support this operation.
In addition, the Volvo/HUSS emissions reduction retrofit system that will collect up to 99 percent of diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions may be available for installation to make the equipment cleaner in its operation.
Current Volvo CE dealers certified to provide the refurbishment service to equipment owners are:
• ASC Construction Equipment USA in Buford, Ga., and Mills River (Asheville), N.C.
• Clyde/West Inc. in Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash.
• Flagler Construction Equipment in Ft. Myers, Fla.
• McClung-Logan Equipment in Salem, Va.
• Penn-Jersey Machinery in Lionville, Pa.
• Rudd Equipment Company in Corbin, Ky., and Evansville, Ind.
• Strongco Equipment, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
For more information, call 828/650-2000 or visit www.volvo.com.
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