#Product Trends

Volvo Launches L200H High Lift Loader, Boosts Productivity

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), which marketed its first high-lift wheel loader in 1974, has launched the L200H High Lift in North America, featuring a 27 percent increase in lifting capacity and a 13 percent larger grapple than the L180H model it replaces.

This, combined with a stronger base unit, means the L200H High Lift can handle more material per hour, the company says.

A new loading unit features a reinforced lift arm system, crossbeam and rotator unit. This increases the machine’s maximum lifting capacity from 19,401 pounds on the L180H High Lift to 24,600 pounds. Volvo-designed grapples come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit site requirements. To accommodate this extra capacity and ensure the stability of the loader, larger 875-type low-profile L4 tires come standard.

With the ability to stack to almost 23 feet high—60 percent higher than a conventional wheel loader, according to the company—the Volvo High Lift arm design makes the most of yard storage capacity. The L200H High Lift also features 360-degree rotation and the ability to tilt. The new, stronger rotator unit is maintenance-free and features an integrated dampening system that also improves stability.

The machine allows travel over rough terrains at speed, can work comfortably on uneven ground, and exerts minimal stress on paved surfaces due to its four-wide tires and articulated steering.

A new external axle oil cooling system reduces the temperature of the axles, which in turn increases their lifetime, as well as that of the brakes. It also includes an oil filter that keeps the axle oil clean for longer, the company says, increasing the oil change interval to 4,000 hours (or 18 months).

Gear shifting has been optimized to suit the new increased workloads, resulting in fast acceleration and smooth operation, Volvo says. Proven technologies such as OptiShift, which integrates the Reverse-By-Braking function and torque converter with lock-up, are meant to further support fuel efficiency.

The L200H High Lift is the first high-lift variant to be compatible with Load Assist, Volvo’s suite of apps that is accessed from the in-cab Co-Pilot display and designed to enhance productivity and profitability.

The On-Board Weighing app provides real-time insights into the grapple’s payload to help eliminate overloading, underloading, reweighing, and wait times. The Operator Coaching Advanced app helps operators use the loader to its full potential by providing real-time information and guidance.

Load Assist also includes a tire pressure monitoring system, which provides the ability to check the pressure and temperature of air-inflated and hydro-inflated tires from the cab.

The L200H High Lift comes with a choice of seats. A specially designed multifunction lever ensures precise control of the hydraulics, and operators can personalize settings from their smartphones.

To reduce operator fatigue and improve productivity, the optional Comfort Drive Control gives operators the opportunity to steer the machine using a lever instead of the steering wheel—boosting effectiveness in fast-paced truck unloading.

And because operators must be constantly aware of what’s happening around their machines, a new optional front-view camera provides additional visibility at the front of the machine and on top of the stack, with the view displayed on a dedicated in-cab monitor.

Like its predecessor, the L200H High Lift has a cab that can be tilted to 30 or 70 degrees. Combined with an electronically operated engine hood, this enhances service access.

Inspecting and cleaning the engine compartment is also easier, with additional handrails on both sides of the machine. Thousand-hour engine service intervals and quick drain/fill connectors make changing the hydraulic oil, transmission oil, engine oil, and front axle oil fast and easy, the company says.