Content provided by Volvo Construction Equipment
Cleary Stone has had their eye on sustainability for a long time. The Richmond, Vermont-based business provides rock products from gravel to large slabs to customers who care about the earth, so it simply makes sense.
“We work primarily with landscapers who love the earth and enjoy making it more beautiful,” said John Cleary, founder and part owner.
So when Volvo Construction Equipment announced that electric compact machines were available to order, the Cleary team was immediately interested. They told their dealer contact, Chris Palmer at Wood’s CRW, that they wanted an electric machine, and he called them as soon as an Volvo L20 Electric compact wheel loader came in.
“He went above and beyond for us to get the machine, including working with the state on funding to help us buy it,” said Cleary.
The machine was delivered in November, giving them the first fully electric wheel loader in North America.
“We are so happy that the first electric CWL went to a company like Cleary Stone, who is passionate about being a good steward of the environment,” said Stephen Roy, president of Region North America, Volvo CE. “The work they and their customers do is perfect for this machine.”
Cleary’s electric evolution
In 2017, Cleary Stone purchased a conventional diesel version of the L20 compact wheel loader. They loved its size, maneuverability, and versatility. So when an electric version hit the market, the team was excited.
“It felt like a no-brainer because we see the industry moving that direction and want to be on the forefront of that,” said Cleary.
Bergeron added that the quality of the machine itself is enough of a reason to make the switch.
“I’d say it runs smoother than the diesel, and I like how easy it is to change attachments,” said Bergeron. “Just this morning, I unloaded some pallets with a fork attachment, then switched to a bucket and loaded some crushed stone into a customer’s truck.”
How Cleary manages charging
The company already had some saws, a forklift, and a Tesla running on electricity, so adding another outlet for charging the loader was simple and they were familiar with the charging process.
“I don’t use it for a constant eight hours, so an overnight charge is plenty,” said Bergeron. “And if I did need it all day, a lunchtime charge would be just fine.”
He also noted the instant power the electric machine provides versus the slight delay felt on a conventional machine, as well as work modes that provide just the right power for each attachment.
Working with their electric company, Green Mountain Power, and Palmer at CRW, Cleary Stone was able to subsidize some of the purchase price of their new L20 Electric.
“The original amount they wanted to give us was not huge, but once Chris demonstrated to them how much power we’d utilize they increased their offer,” said Bergeron.
Source: Volvo Construction Equipment
