Liebherr’s new Generation 8 wheel loaders deliver stronger breakout forces and new intelligent technologies
The new Liebherr’ Generation 8 wheel loaders represent a fundamentally revised and redeveloped range of mid-sized machines.
The Generation 8 lineup includes the L 526, L 538 and L 546, which provide bucket sizes between 2.2 and 3 cubic metres in the standard version and deliver a significant increase in performance compared to the previous generation.
The new L 526, for example, has about 20 per cent more engine power and more than 20 per cent higher breakout forces than its predecessor. The 13,170 kg machine is equipped with a 158 hp engine, a 2.2 cubic-metre bucket and features a tipping load of 8,730 kg.
The L 538 and L 546 models also deliver performance increases in all areas. For example, the optimized travel drive provides increased traction to ensure that the new wheel loaders accelerate dynamically in everyday work, and can powerfully push into all materials.
The 14,530-kg L 538 loader is powered by a 175 hp engine and is equipped with a 2.6 cubic-metre bucket and a 9,650 kg tipping load.
At 15,410 kg, the L 546 is the largest new Generation 8 loader and features a 188 hp engine, 3 cubic-metre bucket and an 11,010 kg tipping load.
Z-bar kinematics
The newly-designed lift arm ensures maximum breakout, holding and lowering forces. It has optimized z-bar kinematics and improved working hydraulics.
Liebherr reinforced the steel construction of the front section of the new loaders to prepare the machines for handling heavy loads. Structural reinforcements on the new lift arms or cross tube, for example, increase robustness.
The optimized z-bar kinematics with electro-hydraulic pilot controls include 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 or log grapples.
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With the increased performance providing a strong basis, Liebherr offers numerous equipment options for the lift arms for industry-specific challenges. High Lift lift arms, for example, are an extended variant of the z-bar kinematics and ensure greater range and efficient loading processes at all heights.
For wheel loader applications that require different attachments, there is a view-optimized quick coupler and the fully automatic Likufix quick-coupler system. This allows the machine operator to change between mechanical and hydraulic working tools from the cab quickly and safely with the touch of a button. This saves time and reduces the risk of accidents.
Well thought-out details make day-to-day work with the wheel loaders easier. The operator is able to activate the parallel guidance of the lift arms at the push of a button and work efficiently and safely with forks. The new bucket-tilt assist helps when working with sticky materials, such as damp soil or compost, and ensures accurate loading by shaking out the bucket.
While redesigning the lift arms, Liebherr revised the bucket design of the new mid-sized wheel loaders. Customers can now more accurately tailor the individual elements and wear parts of the buckets to their needs at the time of ordering.
Intelligent equipment
In addition to the new lift arms, the optimization of the hydrostatic travel drive in particular contributes to the increased productivity of the wheel loaders.
The new, more powerful engines are characterized by a higher maximum torque at a lower nominal speed. In this way, performance and efficiency can be increased with the same low fuel consumption. More powerful hydraulic components, such as larger travel motors and travel pumps, ensure greater traction in all three models to provide quick loading cycles.
For a high degree of robustness, Liebherr has reinforced the axles, as well as travel drive components; depending on the model, all three wheel loaders have larger front or rear axles than their predecessors.
A modern design is reflected in the engine compartment, which was redesigned for optimized visibility, as well as the comfortable operator’s cab and intelligent equipment.
The new loaders feature active personnel detection with brake assistant. This optional assistance system, which is installed at the rear of the wheel loader, warns the machine operator on the display and with acoustic signals of dangers in the rear area of the wheel loader. To provide a specific warning of imminent injury to persons, the assistance system independently distinguishes between humans and objects using smart sensors.
As soon as the active personnel detection emits a warning signal, the brake assistant automatically reduces the speed of the wheel loader to a standstill to avoid a potential accident
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