The Liebherr L564 2 plus 2 in action feeding a Powerscreen Commander 510
portable screening plant at Spratt AggregatesÍ McGee pit.

New loaders score in productivity, comfort, and fuel efficiency stakes

By Andy Bateman, Engineering Editor

Two new wheel loaders are being awarded high marks for overall productivity, comfort and fuel efficiency by Ottawa-area aggregate producer Spratt Aggregates, a subsidiary of the Karson Group.

When it comes to mobile equipment selection, Erwin Schulz, aggregates vice president, explains that the Karson Group's operational team looks for the best possible match between a piece of equipment and its particular application. Experience has shown that apparently minor differences between machines in the same class can translate into big productivity improvements on a daily basis. In the case of wheel loaders for instance, ride stability is key to overall loader performance in Spratt Aggregate's operations where, in some situations, loaders have to travel as far as 1000 m between stockpiles of material. Building on good experience with other equipment from the same stable, Schulz decided earlier this year to put loaders built by European manufacturer Liebherr to the test.
     At the time of Aggregates & Roadbuilding's visit, a newly arrived L580 2 plus 2 loader fitted with a 5 m3 loading bucket was undergoing trials at Spratt's Huntley limestone quarry. At the nearby McGee pit, the smaller L564 2 plus 2 was hauling sand to a screening plant and loading trucks. The company's L564 is a stock 2 plus 2 unit, fitted with Michelin XHA 26.5R25 tires and a 4.5 m3 capacity loading bucket having a four piece, bolt on reversible cutting edge.
     Schulz adds that since its arrival in June this year, preliminary data on the L564 indicates that this machine is delivering up to 15 per cent higher productivity than competitor's models in the same class, thanks to its ride and travel characteristics. By all accounts the loaders are popular with operators. Spratt's Lloyd Box, a 30-year company veteran, found that the L580 combines fast cycle times with a smooth ride and low noise levels, although he did find that the fast bucket dump took some getting used to. The L580 is well suited for most loading duty here, with three full buckets of Huntley's 19 mm clear stone closely matching the 22 000 kg payload of a tandem unit. At McGee, operator Barry Giles gave the L564 full marks overall, highlighting low noise levels; "The cab is so insulated I have to open the door to check that the engine on the screening plant is running."

Liebherr L580 2 plus 2 wheel loader fitted with a 5 m3 bucket at Spratt AggregatesÍ Huntley limestone quarry. The loader consumed an average 20.9 litres per hour of fuel over the seven day trial period.

     According to test data provided by the manufacturers, the L564 is a class leader in terms of fuel efficiency. This test determines the number of working cycles that can be carried out with five litres of diesel fuel under a simulated working situation. Material is picked up from a stockpile, Heap A, and carried in a reverse and forward Y shaped movement to Point B, located 20 m away, where it is dumped from a bucket height of 2.5 m. Each cycle takes about 35 seconds and is repeated until five litres of fuel in the external fuel tank have been consumed. A simple formula is then applied to determine the machine's fuel consumption, expressed in either litres per hour or litres per 100 tonnes of material moved. (Complete specifications and technical data for the L580 and L564 can be found by going to the manufacturers' website at www.liebherr.com.)
     Schulz notes that the Komatsu WA450 loader already in Spratt's fleet, performing the same function as the L564, averaged 18.8 litres per hour versus the L564's 15.9 litres per hour. Schulz adds that the L580 averaged 20.9 litres per hour over a recent seven day trial period.
     The L564's in-line 6-cylinder engine produces 183 kW (249 bhp) at 2000 rpm, with this power transmitted through a hydrostatic drive system providing travel speeds of 0-10 km/h, 0-20 km/h and 0-40 km/h in Stages 1,2 and 3 respectively. Like other models in the range, the hydrostatic drive is said to deliver smooth changes of direction without drive train impact or tire slip. The Liebherr joysticks controls forward and reverse travel, while an inching pedal reportedly provides control of the machine's tractive and thrust forces steplessly at full engine speed. Wear free service braking on all four wheels is provided by self-locking of the hydrostatic travel drive and an additional pumpÆaccumulator brake system with wet multiÆdisc brakes located in the wheel hubs. There are two separate brake circuits.
     Also noteworthy on these loaders is the 180-degree rotation of the engines, with the radiator located behind the driver. As a result, cooling air drawn in by the fan is relatively dust free compared to typical engine configurations where the fan is near dust kicked up by the rear wheels. Further measures to reduce dust build up on the Liebherr range include periodic fan reversal at intervals set by the operator, as well as guards on all four wheels.
     With the arrival of the two loaders, Spratt's fleet of Liebherr equipment total rises to eight. The other six pieces include an A902 rubber tired excavator, R952 Litronic, R 944, and R 932 tracked hydraulic excavators as well as PR 732 and PR 722 dozers.

December 2002 issue

Aggregates and Roadbuilding Magazine
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