Liebherr update L 550 and L 556 XPower loaders
Increased performance with more engine power, improved working hydraulics and other new features
FIVE years after their debut, Liebherr have updated two of their XPower large wheel loaders – the L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower. To further boost the performance of both machines, Liebherr have reinforced the lift arms, overhauled the working hydraulics and increased tip load, breakout force and engine power.
The L550 XPower now has an operating weight of 18.55 tonnes, 163kW (222hp) of engine power, a bucket capacity of 3.4 cubic metres and a maximum tip load of 12,500kg, whilst the L556 XPower has an operating weight of 19.6 tonnes, 183kW (249hp) of engine power, a bucket capacity of 3.7 cubic metres and a maximum tip load of 13,750kg.
‘We have purposefully invested in the performance and versatility of our two wheel loaders as part of our model updates,’ commented Mark Walcher, product manager at Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH.
Both the L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower wheel loaders are equipped with the power-split travel drive, installed as standard in all Liebherr XPower wheel loaders. By increasing the engine power on both models, the travel drive is even more powerful with consistently low consumption, such as when accelerating or penetrating into material.
An increase in performance in the working hydraulics has enabled dynamic lift and tip functions, irrespective of the size or weight of the working tool, whilst structural modifications to the lift arms have paved the way for higher breakout, holding and retrieval forces than before.
For the L 550 and L 556 XPower wheel loaders, four lift-arm versions in the form of z-bar kinematics and industrial kinematics in both standard and high-lift configurations are offered. Liebherr have overhauled all four versions as part of the model update, as well as reinforcing the steel construction.
The modified z-bar kinematics on the L 550 and L 556 XPower wheel loaders offer strength in the lower lifting range and higher breakout forces than before. The maximum force is produced when, for example, the bucket or attachment is working close to the ground and breaks material out of a pile – an important feature when picking up and loading rocks, gravel or construction debris.
The overhaul of the lift arms has increased the tip load, which means that operators of the new L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower can work with larger buckets than before, and move more material in each loading process. Liebherr have taken reconfigured the design of the buckets on both models, so customers can now more accurately tailor the individual modules and wear parts of the buckets to their needs.
Moreover, the fully automatic LIKUFIX quick-coupler system, historically a feature of Liebherr hydraulic excavators, is being made available for the L 550 XPower and L 556 XPower wheel loaders for the first time, allowing operators to safely and conveniently switch mechanical and hydraulic attachments and tools from inside the cab at the press of a button.
In addition, a hydraulic quick-coupler with optimized visibility is also available, as is a range of assistance systems, including active personnel detection at the rear with a new braking assistant, designed to increase safety in day-to-day operations.
