New mid-sized wheel loaders from Liebherr
Latest Generation 8 models designed to deliver greater power, performance, and safety
LIEBHERR have redeveloped and fundamentally revised their range of mid-sized wheel loaders. The three new models, L 526, L 538, and L 546, in the latest Generation 8 series have bucket sizes between 2.2 and 3.0 cubic metres in the standard version and are characterized by a significant increase in performance compared with the previous generation.
The new L 526, for example, has around 20% more engine power (116kW/158hp) and more than 20% higher breakout forces than its predecessor, whilst the L 538 (129kW/175hp) and L 546 (138kW/188hp) models also offer performance increases in all areas, including optimized travel drive, which provides increased traction to ensure that the new wheel loaders accelerate dynamically in everyday work and can penetrate powerfully into all materials.
Liebherr have reinforced the steel construction of the front section of the new wheel loaders to prepare the machines for handling heavy loads. Structural reinforcements on the new lift arms increase robustness, while the optimized z-bar kinematics with electro-hydraulic pilot controls feature larger hydraulic cylinders and more powerful working pumps. According to Liebherr, the combination of these innovations ensures faster cycle times and dynamic and powerful work movements – even with heavy attachments such as high dump buckets.
With the increased performance, Liebherr offer 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 regularly 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 at the touch of a button.
Other innovative details make day-to-day work with the wheel loaders easier. For example, the new bucket-tilt assist helps when working with sticky materials and ensures accurate loading by shaking out the bucket. While redesigning the lift arms, Liebherr have also revised the bucket design of the new mid-sized wheel loaders. As a result, customers can now more accurately tailor the individual elements and wear parts of the buckets to their needs at the time of ordering.
In addition to the new lift arms, the optimization of the hydrostatic travel drive 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.
Also, more powerful hydraulic components, such as larger travel motors and travel pumps, ensure greater traction in all three models and thus rapid loading cycles. For a high degree of robustness, Liebherr have reinforced the axles and travel drive components; depending on the model, all three wheel loaders have larger front or rear axles than their predecessors.
A modern design – which is reflected in the design of the engine bonnet for optimized visibility as well as in the comfortable operator’s cab – and intelligent equipment are also part of the overall package of the new mid-sized Liebherr wheel loaders.
An example of this is the active personnel detection with brake assistant. This optional assistance system, which is installed at the rear of the wheel loader, warns the machine operator visually 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.
