Volvo EC Series: Models, Generations, and Spare Parts
Image: Volvo EC 70 crawler excavator. Photo by Norbert Schnitzler, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
Volvo EC Series: Models, Generations, and Spare Parts
Volvo EC is Volvo's line of crawler excavators. Introduced in 1997, the series has since covered a broad weight range - from compact 14-tonne machines to heavier construction machines above 40 tonnes. Less widely known is that the first machines carried the Åkerman-Volvo badge, a legacy of the Swedish excavator brand Åkerman, which Volvo acquired during the 1990s.
In this post, we go through how the lineup is structured, what the generation letters mean, and which models we stock spare parts for.
EC - what does the designation mean?
EC stands for Excavator, Crawler. The number that follows indicates the size class in tonnes: an EC210 weighs around 21 tonnes, an EC360 around 36 tonnes. The letter suffix indicates the generation - B, C, D, and E are the most common on the used market. Machines with the same model number but a different generation can differ significantly in hydraulics, engine, and control systems, which is worth knowing when sourcing spare parts.
The wheeled equivalent is EW (Excavator, Wheeled).
Source: WheelsAge (Volvo EC-Series Crawler Excavators 1997-); LECTURA Specs.
Models in the series
Below are the most common models on the European used market, with brief information on typical use and weight class.
EC140
Compact crawler excavator in the 14-tonne class. Used for utility work, pipe-laying, and municipal operations.
EC210
One of the most widely sold models, in the 21-tonne class. The B, C, and D generations are common on the used market.
EC220
Crawler excavator in the 22-tonne class, closely related to the EC210. The E generation is the most common.
EC250
The 25-tonne machine in the series. The E generation is the one we have the widest stock coverage for.
EC290 / EC300
Machines in the 29-30-tonne class for heavier excavation and civil engineering work.
EC360 / EC460
Heavier machines for demanding jobs. The EC460LC B is one of the models we carry the widest range of parts for.
Source: LECTURA Specs; Volvo CE product documentation.
The Åkerman connection
The first EC machines were introduced in 1997 at the Intermat show in Paris under the Åkerman-Volvo badge. The EC280, EC340, and EC390 were the first three models - all in the heavier class. Decades of Åkerman's excavator engineering expertise shaped the EC series' early generations, before the Åkerman brand was phased out and the machines became Volvo-only.
Source: LECTURA Specs (EC 280 Akerman-Volvo 1997-2000); WheelsAge.
We also stock spare parts for Åkerman's own excavators, if it's the original machine you're sourcing parts for. Search Åkerman parts.
EC machines in long-term use
An EC210 or EC300 from the early 2000s with a high hour count is a common sight on the used market - and many are still in active operation. It's not unusual to see machines with 10,000 hours or more still performing satisfactorily in their intended use. In practice, service life comes down to whether spare parts can be sourced at a reasonable cost once the engine, hydraulic pump, cylinders, or undercarriage components need replacing.
Volvo EC parts with us
We stock spare parts for several EC models - EC140, EC210, EC220, EC250, EC290, EC360, and EC460 are the ones we currently have the widest coverage for. If you have an EC and are looking for a specific component - search directly or get in touch. The machine's serial number, OE number, or a photo of the existing part will help speed up the search.
Spare parts for Volvo EC
Search our stock directly to see which Volvo EC parts are available right now.
Or call us at +46 33-400 59 00.