L. Walter & Sons Excavating opt for Liebherr R 992
Company optimizes hard rock quarrying operations with powerful 94-tonne crawler excavator
BASED in Ontario, southern Canada, L. Walter & Sons Excavating currently operate a hard rock quarry with particularly challenging working conditions, including the extraction of heavy materials of 2.2 tonnes/m3 density, large-size blocks, and abrasive rock. The R 992 crawler excavator was the obvious strategic choice for the company, as its performance is tailor-made for difficult environments.
The machine’s main purpose is loading 40-tonne articulated dumptrucks, which it fills in just three passes. This particularly fast rhythm testifies to the crawler excavator’s power and efficiency. The machine is also distinguished by its breakout force, which is among the best in its category. These characteristics allow L. Walter & Sons Excavating to optimize its production flows while reducing waiting time and operating costs.
‘What won us over was the combination of power, speed, reliability and production quality. The R 992 ticks all these boxes: it offers impressive power, very short cycle times, and a perfect finished design,’ said company vice-president Matt Walter.
Designed for the most challenging environments in the extraction sector, the generation 6.2 R 992 crawler excavator features significant improvements in terms of diesel consumption and operator assistance functions. With an operating weight of 94 tonnes, the R 992 has established itself as a stable and powerful machine. In addition to its technical capabilities, it incorporates functionalities designed with operators and their safety in mind, including a spacious, comfortable and ergonomic operator’s cab, two cameras to ensure an optimal field of view, an armoured windscreen as standard, and the new Bucket Fill Assist assistance system, which improves bucket filling rate and shortens work cycle times.
In line with L. Walter & Sons Excavating’s operating requirements, the machine has been configured with a 7.2m boom and 2.90m stick, offering optimal reach and stability during loading. The 6.2m3 capacity bucket allows large volumes of rock to be loaded efficiently while ensuring good penetration into the digging material thanks to its semi-delta blade. The 2,300mm wide bucket is equipped with Liebherr Z90 CL profile teeth, well known for their wear resistance. For protection from impacts while handling blocks, the R 992 is also fitted with special protective plates on the underside of both the boom and the stick.
The R 992 is part of a new range of large-capacity Liebherr crawler excavators designed for intensive applications, especially in the mining and quarrying sectors, and in bulk earthmoving. Ranging from 70 to 100 tonnes, the series includes the R 972, R 978 SME, R 992, and R 998 SME – all distinguished by their combination of power, hydraulic precision, and on-board technologies, while offering a high-quality operator experience.
Apart from their size, these crawler excavators incorporate innovations that improve productivity and profitability on site. They feature the Liebherr Power Efficiency – Engine Control system, which adjusts engine parameters in real time to reduce fuel consumption, while also maintaining high performance. This technological approach not only allows operating costs to be reduced but also enables businesses operating in this sector to respond to the growing environmental issues that they face.
For comfort and ergonomics, cabs are equipped with intelligent assistance systems, a layout designed for optimal field of view, and intuitive controls for easier handling. The Modetronic function allows operators to adjust machine behaviour closely to their own driving styles and the nature of the work, thereby increasing precision and flexibility in use.
