Volvo Construction Equipment has officially launched the factory-installed "On-Board Weighing" solution for its EC300E to EC480E large excavator series. In quarry and mining applications, loading trucks efficiently is critical. Underloading reduces transport efficiency, while overloading causes fines and safety risks on public roads. Traditional methods rely on the operator's visual estimation or external wheel loaders, which can be slow.
The Volvo system utilizes "Cylinder Pressure Integration." High-precision pressure sensors are installed on the rod-side and piston-side chambers of the boom cylinder. By measuring the pressure differential and combining it with data from the boom and arm angle sensors, the machine's ECU calculates the exact weight of the material in the bucket in real-time.
The engineering innovation lies in the "Dynamic Calibration Logic." The system automatically compensates for the "Empty Bucket Weight" and "Oil Temperature Viscosity." When the operator engages the "Weighing Mode," the system monitors the pressure as the boom lifts past a horizontal plane. It calculates the "Moment of Inertia" and subtracts the mechanical friction of the pinions. The result is displayed on the in-cab Co-Pilot screen with an accuracy of ±2%. Furthermore, the system features "Bluetooth Transmission." When the bucket reaches the target weight, the system sends a signal to the dump truck driver's smart device, alerting them to move into position. This closed-loop logic increases truck loading cycle times by 15% and eliminates the need for a separate wheel loader or weighbridge at the quarry face.
