Liebherr says robust design make its large wheel loaders (L 550 to L 586) particularly well suited to quarrying operations. “Using more than six decades of experience, Liebherr has developed and constructed key components for these machines including engines, hydraulic cylinders and electronic components. As a result, Liebherr is able to guarantee manufacturer quality in every aspect. In addition to this, Liebherr wheel loaders can be set up for intensive mining operations with a variety of equipment options including specialist tyres with tyre protection chains, windscreen guards, and special rock or HD variant buckets.”
Liebherr engineers in Bischofshofen, Austria, have developed a good solution for engine installation; installing the engines in the rear of the machines. The centre of gravity is moved to the rear of the wheel loader so that the diesel engine and the variable displacement pump counterbalance each other. This means that Liebherr can dispense with any ballast, which achieves lower operating weights and higher tipping loads. When handling heavy rock material, a high tipping load is obviously an advantage as this enables operators to use larger buckets and move larger loads. The lower operating weight also reduces fuel consumption.
Liebherr customer, Southern Screenworks from Christchurch, New Zealand, was won over by these advantages. It operates a quarry on New Zealand’s South Island with ten mobile crushing and sieving plants. Directors Brett Swain and Alan King purchased their first Liebherr wheel loaders in 2007. Three more followed as a result of their positive experience with the machines. Today, a fleet consisting of an L 564, L 566, L 576 and L 580 moves more than 1,500 m3/d of rock material. This is equivalent to approximately 3,000 t. “Before we buy a new machine, we compare efficiency, performance and reliability. We opted for Liebherr, because other suppliers had nothing on Liebherr in terms of these criteria,” explained Brett Swain.
These wheel loaders are hydrostatically driven – a real plus in terms of efficiency. Under the same working conditions, they consume up to 25% less fuel. Director Brett Swain was impressed by the hydrostatic driveline, commenting, “Our wheel loaders work for 12 hours per day at the quarry face. The tear-out force of the machines is enormous, and this is achieved even with very low fuel consumption. This is due to the hydrostatic driveline which is not only efficient, but also improves the level of comfort for our operators due to its quiet operation. We also have virtually no brake wear due to the hydraulic braking action of the drive.”