A collaborative study between SMT Great Britain (SMT GB), exclusive Volvo Construction Equipment dealer (Volvo CE), and Holcim (previously Aggregate Industries), has used advanced 3D laser scanning technology provided by Printing Portal to precisely measure wear rates, fuel efficiency, and productivity of ground engaging tools (GET) in a live quarry environment.
The subject in question was Volvo’s second-generation tooth system (VTS 2) for excavators and wheel loaders. The test revealed that upgrading to VTS 2 can save an excavator operator approximately £9,500 annually in fuel alone, while significantly extending component life and cutting CO2 emissions.
This trial was about redefining how we assess the real-world performance of essential machine components. But by leveraging high-precision 3D scanning, we gathered indisputable data showing the tangible financial, operational, and environmental benefits of VTS 2.
Real-world testing
Volvo CE’s initial tooth system was designed to boost breakout force, machine uptime, and efficiency. VTS 2 builds on this foundation with a stronger, safer design, including a streamlined, hammerless locking mechanism that eliminates the safety risks of traditional pin-and-hammer installations.
To put the VTS 2 in the spotlight, SMT, exclusive dealer for Volvo CE in Great Britain, partnered with Printing Portal, a specialist in advanced scanning technologies. Together, they conducted a rigorous trial at Holcim’s Hillhead Quarry using a Volvo EC480E excavator.
The machine was first fitted with VTS 2 teeth, then swapped to a leading competitor’s product, operating under identical site conditions. Over several months beginning in June 2024, each tooth set completed over 240 operational hours. High-resolution FARO laser scanners captured millimetre-accurate scans at weekly intervals, allowing precise analysis of tooth wear, material loss, and even subtle operator technique variations. Holcim’s excavator had previously run the original VTS 1 system, allowing SMT to benchmark against both the older Volvo product and the competitor’s offering.
“This scanning process allowed us to track every tiny change in geometry over time,” says James. “Traditional inspections using tape measures or visual checks can’t detect this level of detail, often leading to premature component changes or unexpected failures.”
Greater savings, longer life
The data revealed clear, measurable advantages of Volvo’s VTS 2 system. Fuel consumption dropped by 4% per week, contributing to a 15% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Operators also reported smoother material penetration, reducing the need for high-power modes and further improving fuel economy.
Crucially, the VTS 2 teeth were estimated to last between 700 and 750 hours – significantly outlasting the competitor’s estimate of a 450–500-hour range. These durability gains, combined with improved fuel efficiency, deliver a potential cost-per-hour saving of 10.5%. For typical operations, that translates to approximately £9,500 in fuel savings per machine, per year.
“These aren’t just incremental improvements,” Sam Duggan, SMT GB Site Solutions Business Manager highlights. “This is a gamechanger as to how we think about GET performance and cost-efficiency, and how we can measure it.”
Ease of maintenance was another standout feature. Thanks to its hammerless locking system, the VTS 2 allowed technicians to swap teeth in just 30 minutes – a dramatic improvement over the 1-hour two-man process required by older systems.
For Holcim, the results were so revelatory that they converted to VTS 2 before the trial concluded.
We were so impressed by the VTS 2 teeth that we took the opportunity to convert our own bucket to these teeth before we had even completed the tests. Once we saw how quickly and safely we could swap out teeth, combined with the data showing longer life and lower fuel use, it became the obvious choice.
Big movements in monitoring
Beyond proving the capabilities of VTS 2, the study has unlocked new possibilities for 3D scanning within the construction and quarrying sectors. SMT Great Britain is now exploring further applications for this technology, including undercarriage and other wear component monitoring. Discussions are underway to offer scanning as part of SMT’s consultancy services, helping customers maximise component life and plan maintenance with unprecedented precision.
“The ability to predict wear with this level of precision has huge implications for maintenance planning, procurement, and even product design,” James adds. “We’ve already provided feedback to Volvo on potential future enhancements, including advanced coatings to extend tooth life even further.”
With proven savings, enhanced safety, and a lower carbon footprint, VTS 2 is setting the new benchmark in ground engaging tools. But as importantly, the analytical collaboration between Volvo CE, SMT, and Holcim is ushering in a new era as to how the industry can drive smarter, more economical decision-making across heavy machinery operations.
For more information, contact:
SMT Marketing Department – Marketing.gb@smt.network
About SMT
In Great Britain, SMT is the exclusive dealer of Volvo Construction Equipment, Dynapac, and K-Tec Earthmover products, as well as one of several authorised Unicontrol and Volvo Penta Industrial dealers. In 2024, SMTGB acquired AGGPRO, expanding into the crushing, screening and recycling sector. In addition to delivering industry-leading products and support throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, SMT provides a range of end-to-end efficiency and productivity boosting solutions, which ensure customer investments are protected and profits are maximised.
SMT operates from eight Customer Support Centres throughout Great Britain, supplemented by strategically located field-based engineers able to offer the level of support that you would expect from a global construction equipment distributor. SMT GB is part of SMT Group, spanning 30 countries and over 2,000 employees, extending from Europe to the heart of Africa to the United States.