U.S. customers can choose from a total of nine Liebherr wheel loaders with tipping loads from 16,090 to 45,040 lb. (7,300 to 20,430 kg). All these machines have one thing in common: economy of operation and environmental friendliness. With the advanced Liebherr hydrostatic drive they achieve the same working performance of conventionally driven machines with up to 25 percent less fuel consumption, and correspondingly low pollution emission. Other cost benefits of this drive concept are the virtually wear-free brakes, reduced tire wear and safe, convenient single joystick control. The hydrostatic transmission’s self-locking braking action not only has safety advantages but also guards against brake and axle overheating, according to the manufacturer.
The mid-sized Liebherr wheel loaders, models L 524 to L 542, are offered either with Z-kinematics linkage for traditional earth-moving operations, or with P-kinematics for industrial operations utilizing forks.
A characteristic feature for Liebherr’s range of large wheel loaders, which includes the five models L 550 to L 586, is the optimized Liebherr driveline. This concept is based on two directly-coupled hydraulic motors of different sizes, each of them with a separate clutch. Because at least one of the two motors is active when the wheel loader accelerates and decelerates, the loader can adjust to every working situation regardless of the travel speed required and without the need for the operator to shift gears.
The lineup at Liebherr’s 2011 ConExpo booth included four exhibits representing the latest technologies of the Liebherr wheel loader range. The L 542 P 143 hp (105 kW) represents the mid-sized wheel loader range, while introductions from the large sized range include the L 550 with the new Industrial Lift Arms 175 hp (129 kW), the L 566 in a material handling configuration 191 hp (140 kW) and the flagship L 586 340 hp (250 kW).
L 542: Option of Different Bucket Design Formats
The L 542 has Z-kinematics and two different bucket design formats. The rehandling bucket with teeth is equipped with a quick coupling system and a bucket size of 3.1 cu. yd. (2.4 cu m). The heavy high-dump bucket with bolt-on cutting edge also is equipped with a quick coupling system, and provides 5.2 cu. yd. (3.6 cu m) of bucket capacity, making it ideally suited for heavy-duty operations such as bulk waste, scrap, or paper.
Industrial Lift Arm With Quick-Coupler System
With its new industrial lift arm for the L 550 and L 556 wheel loader models, Liebherr has introduced another innovation in material handling. The industrial lift arm’s kinematics have been specifically designed for heavy equipment and applications such as log grapples, hydraulic forks and other industrial attachments; its geometry provides high torque in the upper lift range. In addition to optimized weight distribution, the new lift arms provide enhanced visibility to the bucket/ attachment. The industrial lift arm’s kinematics also provide precise parallel movement over the entire lift range — without the operator having to make adjustments. Standard equipment on the industrial lift arm is a hydraulic quick-coupler, allowing a wide range of Liebherr equipment options to be attached and removed quickly and safely.
L 566: The Right Choice for Scrap Operations
The L 566 wheel loader at the 2011 ConExpo was equipped with a 5.2 cu. yd. (3.6 cu m) excavation bucket with bolt-on cutting edge and hydraulic quick hitch. In order to provide optimum protection against damage when working with scrap, the loader has been equipped with a range of safety options, among them, front and rear chassis protection, tilt cylinder protection and front windshield protection The machine features particle protection and a wide-mesh, reversible fan cooling system.
L 586: World’s Hydrostatic Flagship
With an operating weight of 69,180 lb. (31,779 kg) the L 586 is the flagship of Liebherr’s wheel loader model line and is the largest wheel loader in the world with hydrostatic transmission. The exhibit in Las Vegas had a 7.2 cu. yd. (5.5 cu m) HD bucket with a v-pattern overflow plate and teeth. The exhibit also was equipped with a rear-end collision guard, rear undercarriage protection twin LED work-area lights at front and rear. Other equipment includes an audible warning signal when reversing and camera monitoring of the area behind the vehicle. The Liebherr six-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine is turbocharged, with a charge-air intercooler, and develops 340 hp (250 kW) in the L 586.
For more information, visit www.Liebherr.com.
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