New Liebherr Wheel Loaders at ConExpo 2023

Wed March 22, 2023
Liebherr

Liebherr presented its new mid-size wheel loaders as well as large wheel loaders from its XPower series at ConExpo 2023.

The new mid-size wheel loaders feature a significant increase in performance compared to the previous models. As a result, these new wheel loaders are prepared for demanding operations in various industries, such as extraction, recycling or the timber industry, according to the manufacturer.

In addition, Liebherr offers several intelligent assistance systems for its mid-size and large XPower wheel loaders. These include, for example, active personnel detection with brake assistant or the revised camera system Skyview 360°.

The new generation of mid-size wheel loaders consists of three models with bucket sizes between 2.9 and 3.9  cu. yd. in the standard version. They are characterized by a significant performance boost. The new L 526, for example, offers 20 percent more engine power and over 20 percent higher breakout forces than its predecessor.

The L 538 and L 546 models also feature performance increases in all areas: the optimized travel drive, for example, provides increased traction to ensure that the new wheel loaders accelerate dynamically in everyday work and can penetrate powerfully into all kinds of materials.

A new Liebherr L546 wheel loader loads bulky and heavy recycling materials.

Mid-Size Wheel Loaders Ready for Industry-Specific Challenges

Liebherr reinforced the steel construction of the front section of the new wheel loaders in order to prepare the machines for handling heavy loads. Structural reinforcements on the new lift arms, for example, on the cross tube, increase robustness. The z-bar kinematics with electro-hydraulic pilot controls has larger hydraulic cylinders and more powerful working pumps.

The combination of these innovations enables faster cycle times and dynamic and powerful work movements — even with heavy attachments such as high dump buckets in the recycling industry or log grapples in the timber industry.

With the increased performance providing a strong basis, Liebherr offers numerous equipment options for industry-specific challenges: High-lift arms, for example, are an extended variant of the regular lift arm, and ensure greater range and efficient loading processes at different heights.

For wheel loader applications that regularly require different attachments, there is a view-optimized quick coupler available as well as "Solidlink", a fully automatic quick-coupler system. This allows machine operators to change between mechanical and hydraulic attachments from the cab quickly and safely at the touch of a button. This saves time and reduces the risk of accidents.

The L586 XPower, Liebherr's largest wheel loader, is showcased at ConExpo 2023.

XPower Large Wheel Loaders at Forefront of Fuel Efficiency

Being ready for the challenges of different industries also applies to Liebherr's XPower large wheel loaders. In the years since their debut, they have established themselves at the forefront of fuel efficiency and robustness. One main reason for that is their power-split travel drive, installed as standard in all Liebherr XPower wheel loaders. It combines hydrostatic drive, which is ideal for material uptake and travelling over short distances, with mechanical drive, the advantages of which are seen over long distances and when driving on gradients.

The combination of these two drive types ensures maximum efficiency and outstanding fuel savings in every application, the manufacturer said.

However, XPower includes more than its unique power-split driveline: It is an integrated, innovative machine concept that sets benchmarks in terms of fuel efficiency, performance, robustness and comfort. For example, the spacious cab is adapted to the day-to-day needs of the operators.

Due to the ergonomically interior design, intuitive control elements, practical storage compartments and individual adjustment options such as a height-adjustable display, it offers a comfortable work atmosphere. The extensive use of glass on the cab and the sophisticated design of the engine hood results in optimized visibility in all directions and increased safety.

The active personnel detection with brake assistant automatically reduces the speed of the wheel loader as soon as the sensors detect a source of danger.

Assistance Systems for Wheel Loaders: Increasing Safety, Comfort

Liebherr offers a comprehensive range of intelligent assistance systems for its mid-size and XPower large wheel loaders, for example, the active personnel detection with brake assistant. This optional assistance system warns the machine operator of hazards in the rear area of the wheel loader.

To reduce the number of unnecessary warning signals, the system uses sensors and artificial intelligence to distinguish between people and objects. As soon as the sensors detect a source of danger, the brake assistant automatically decelerates the wheel loader‘s speed. This shortens the stopping distance by multiple feet, reducing the frequency and intensity of potential accidents.

For applications that require numerous steering maneuvers, Liebherr offers a comfortable joystick steering system as alternative to the steering wheel. It allows the machine operator to comfortably steer using short movements of the ergonomic joystick. The position of the joystick always corresponds to the respective articulation angle of the wheel loader.

Further solutions, such as the Skyview 360° camera system, the Liebherr weighing system or several systems that facilitate the use of the lift arm and the attachment, increase comfort and safety in the daily work with wheel loader.

For more information, visit www.liebherr.com.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.