New Liebherr R 945 for Lorban TP

French firm opts for performance, stability and comfort of new Generation 8 crawler excavator

LORBAN TP handle the extraction and loading of limestone at the Carrières du Bassin de la Sambre (CBS) quarries in France, which produce 600,000 tonnes of limestone aggregate each year for use in industry, construction and civil engineering.

The company has recently replaced an existing Liebherr Generation 6 R 946 crawler excavator with a new, high-performance Liebherr Generation 8 R 945 machine, which is required to operate a hydraulic hammer, to break up the rock, as well as a shovel to load the material into dumptrucks.

Launched at Bauma Munich in 2019, the Generation 8 range of Liebherr crawler excavator comprises seven models and are characterized by a new architectural concept that is said to deliver optimized operating performance, comfort, ergonomics and safety. The R 945 is the replacement model for the Generation 6 R 950 SME.

Powered by a Stage V engine with an output of 220kW and average fuel consumption of 28.5 litres per hour, Lorban TP’s machine has been equipped with a 6.15m long SME monobloc jib, SWA 66 hydraulic quick-change system and a 2.5 cubic metre capacity HDR bucket. A typical loading cycle takes between 14 and 15 seconds, with a 30-tonne articulated dumptruck being loaded in seven passes in around 1 minute and 20 seconds.

Jean-Pierre Deruelle is the sole driver of the new R 945. Having previously worked with the R 946 excavator, he says the increase in performance, stability and smoothness of the new-generation machine is noticeable, and also appreciates the comfort of the R 945’s spacious air-conditioned cab with its air-sprung seat featuring vertical and longitudinal shock absorption.