Used Volvo 480 Excavator

Reading: 1905

Volvo EC480 Series Excavator Detailed Introduction

The Volvo 480 excavator generally refers to the Volvo EC480 series heavy-duty crawler excavator, the flagship 48-tonne class construction equipment developed and produced by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) -- a global top-tier construction machinery manufacturer under the Volvo Group. It is widely recognized for its industry-leading fuel efficiency, extreme durability, operator-friendly design and low total cost of ownership, and is one of the most popular models in the 45-50 tonne heavy excavator segment.

1. Core Specifications (Standard EC480E Version)

Parameter	Details
Operating weight	47.2 – 52.8 t (varies by configuration and attachment)
Engine	Volvo D13J 6-cylinder turbocharged intercooled diesel engine
Rated power	268 kW (360 hp) @ 1,800 rpm
Emission standard	Optional for different markets: EU Stage V / US Tier 4 Final / Tier 3 (for emerging markets with lower fuel quality requirements)
Bucket capacity	1.9 – 3.8 m³
Max bucket breakout force	285 kN
Max digging depth	6.7 – 11.4 m (matches different boom/stick combinations)
Max horizontal digging reach	10.7 – 17.3 m
Travel speed	3.3 / 5.5 km/h
Fuel tank capacity	620 L
Hydraulic oil capacity	220 L

2. Key Features

(1) High-performance Powertrain

The self-developed Volvo D13 series engine delivers high torque at low RPM, ensuring strong power output under heavy load conditions such as mining and hard rock excavation.
Built-in auto-idle and auto-shutdown functions reduce unnecessary fuel consumption during idle periods.
The optional EC480E Hybrid version (launched in 2021) is equipped with a hydraulic energy recovery system that recovers energy generated during boom lowering to assist boom lifting, cutting fuel consumption by 15-20% without sacrificing operation efficiency, making it the first mass-produced hybrid excavator in the 45-50 tonne class.

(2) Advanced Hydraulic System

Equipped with the Volvo Intelligent Hydraulic System (VIHS), which distributes flow on demand according to operation actions, greatly reducing pressure loss and ensuring smooth and responsive composite actions (e.g., simultaneous boom lifting, arm retraction and swing).
Optional boom/arm float functions greatly improve leveling and grading efficiency. Pre-installed auxiliary hydraulic lines are available for matching various attachments such as breakers, grapples, rippers and screening buckets.

(3) Extreme Durability

The heavy-duty X-type undercarriage, high-strength steel welded boom and stick have passed 10,000+ hours of fatigue testing, adapting to long-term heavy impact working conditions in quarries and mines.
Sealed and lubricated track chains are optional, extending track service life by more than 30% compared to ordinary tracks. All key structural parts come with a 2-year/3000-hour warranty for heavy working conditions.

(4) Operator Comfort & Safety

The Volvo Care Cab is ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) certified, with internal noise as low as 72 dB(A), reaching the industry-leading sound insulation level.
Air-suspension heated seat, automatic climate control system and low-effort electronic control joystick greatly reduce long-term operation fatigue.
8-inch high-definition display shows real-time operation data, fault codes and fuel consumption statistics. Standard rear view camera and optional 360° panoramic imaging system eliminate blind spots and improve operation safety.

(5) Intelligent Operation & Easy Maintenance

The Volvo CareTrack remote monitoring system supports real-time equipment positioning, operation status tracking, maintenance reminder and remote fault diagnosis, reducing unplanned downtime by more than 20%.
All maintenance points are arranged at ground-accessible positions. The oil change interval is 500 operating hours, and the hydraulic oil change interval is up to 4000 operating hours, greatly reducing daily maintenance costs.

3. Typical Applications

The EC480 series is suitable for high-load heavy operation scenarios:

Large-scale earthmoving works for highway, railway and airport construction
Open-pit mining and quarry excavation
Medium and large building demolition works
Port bulk cargo handling
River dredging and site clearance

It can be adapted to more than 20 different operation scenarios with customized attachments and configuration kits (cold start kit for alpine regions, enhanced heat dissipation kit for high-temperature regions, etc.).

4. Competitive Advantages

10-15% lower fuel consumption than similar products of the same class, with 5-8% higher operation efficiency
Industry-leading residual value: the 3-year old EC480 retains more than 60% of its original value under normal use
Global after-sales service network and original spare parts supply guarantee, reducing long-term total cost of ownership by more than 12% compared to most competing models.

Non flooded

No accident

Original product

Used Volvo 480 Excavator

RELATED PRODUCTS

Volvo 240

Volvo 240

Volvo 210

Volvo 480