Ascendum Machinery Knoxville Powers Harrison Construction with Volvo Wheel Loaders
Harrison Construction Co. is a leading supplier of construction aggregates, asphalt, and ready-mix concrete in Tennessee and North Carolina. With operations spanning dozens of plants, quarries, and paving crews, the company depends on reliable equipment to keep projects on schedule. That’s where Ascendum Machinery Knoxville and Volvo wheel loaders come in.
Since 2020, Harrison Construction has expanded its fleet with multiple Volvo L120 and L70 loaders sourced through Ascendum. These machines have become essential to their concrete plants, aggregate operations, and paving projects across the region, including iconic roads like the Foothills Parkway and Tail of the Dragon. Harrison’s focus on uptime, safety, and efficiency makes Volvo and Ascendum ideal partners in their daily operations.
Building a Reliable Fleet
Harrison Construction’s concrete plants and quarries demand equipment that can handle continuous loading, tight workspaces, and a wide variety of materials. That’s why they’ve turned to Volvo wheel loaders for their material handling needs.
Harrison’s equipment manager and shop supervisor, Joey Walker, knows what works on their jobsites. “We just bought our newest Volvo L120 a few months ago for one of our concrete plants, and that is the fourth L120 we have bought since 2020,” said Walker. “We have also purchased a Volvo L70 loader for another plant in Morristown, Tenn., because the people there needed a smaller loader bucket to fit into their bins.”
Volvo loaders provide the flexibility and power Harrison needs to manage large volumes of aggregate and raw material efficiently. Each loader plays a role in keeping production moving at facilities across eastern Tennessee.
Walker highlighted how the Volvo wheel loaders have delivered dependable performance with minimal issues. “Since we bought the first two from Ascendum in 2020, we have not had to have any major repairs in that time, and that is hard to find. With a lot of new machines, you can buy them and two months later start having problems.”
Harrison typically puts about 750 hours on each loader per year. These machines not only support daily operations but also help reduce operating costs through their fuel efficiency, durability, and low maintenance needs.
Service That Keeps Operations Moving
In the heavy equipment world, reliable service is as critical as reliable machines. Harrison Construction counts on Ascendum Machinery’s Knoxville branch for quick, knowledgeable support whenever an issue arises.
“I mainly deal with Brandon Grant in the service department at Ascendum,” Walker said. “He always gives us excellent care and is easy to work with. One day, I called him because we had a machine that was de-rated. He didn’t have any service techs available, so he went himself to where the equipment was, diagnosed the problem, ordered the part and it came in the next day. Soon, the machine was up and running again.”
Ascendum’s fast response ensures that downtime stays minimal and that Harrison’s crews can stay focused on their work. This level of service support gives Harrison peace of mind, knowing they have a trusted partner who understands their business priorities.
Volvo Loaders at Work on Tennessee’s Toughest Roads
Beyond their work in plants and quarries, Harrison’s Volvo loaders contribute to major infrastructure projects across the region. On the steep grades of the Foothills Parkway and the winding curves of the Tail of the Dragon, these machines support crews by managing materials efficiently, even in tight and challenging spaces.
“It is a really popular road for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts,” Walker said of the Tail of the Dragon. “We are paving from the North Carolina-Tennessee state line down to the end of it in Robbinsville.”
Volvo loaders help Harrison crews keep material moving, reduce congestion on narrow roads, and support the precision needed for high-quality paving work. The equipment’s operator-friendly controls, size, and ruggedness are key advantages when working on these demanding sites.
Supporting Contractors Across Tennessee
Volvo’s commitment to U.S. production, including the expansion of large wheel loader manufacturing at its Shippensburg, PA facility, ensures that machines are readily available to meet regional demand. Combined with Ascendum Machinery’s strong local presence, contractors like Harrison Construction have reliable access to both equipment and responsive service as their operations grow.
From concrete plants to challenging highway projects, Ascendum Machinery Knoxville is proud to support contractors with the Volvo Construction Equipment and expert service they need to succeed.
Read the full story in Construction Equipment Guide.
