Page 33 - Hub-4 Magazine Issue 62

New Equipment
Liebherr’s new mid-range
wheel loaders ready for orders
Liebherr has announced the world debut of its latest mid-range wheel loaders featuring more power, redesigned cabs and, for the first time on mid-range models, the options of joystick steering and assistance systems from the larger XPower® machines.
The three loaders – L 526, L 538 and L 546 – were due to be unveiled at next month’s IFAT trade fair in Munich but with the postponement of that event the company has elected to accept orders immediately.
Complying with stage V/tier 4f emissions guidelines, the new generation arrives with a package of innovations that underscores their reputation as high-performance efficient, and reliable all-rounders.
Hydrostatic travel drive on all three models has been optimised, giving the L 538 and L 546 significantly more power while the L 546 gets a new six-cylinder engine. The hydrostatic travel drive means lower fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
Two lift arm variants are available: one is the Z-bar kinematics with high forces in the lower positions, the other parallel kinematics with enormous holding forces in the upper areas as well as parallel guidance. This latter configuration is particularly useful in tough industrial applications where the machine is handling materials such as scrap metal or glass. Both variants were redesigned for the new series. The L 538 and L 546 are manufactured with larger lift cylinders that have increased lifting force by 20 per cent over the previous generation.
The electro-hydraulic pilot control in combination with the standard bucket programming function means that bucket and forklift positions can be set on the nine-inch display that is installed in all models. The powerful hydraulics ensure that the machine operator can also carry out overlapping movements of lifting and lowering as well as tilting in and out at full power.
In redesigning the cab, Liebherr engineers were influenced by the success of the larger XPower® wheel loaders. That means a roomier working environment for the operator, further enhanced by the pedals being positioned 40mm further forward.
The joystick steering installed on XPower® models is available on request for the new mid- range machines. Where an application calls for numerous steering
manoeuvres, this makes the work more comfortable for the operator because the position of the joystick always corresponds to the articulation angle of the loader. The cab can be ordered without a steering wheel and steering column if road approval is not required. An added benefit for the operator is that it makes the cab even more spacious.
All assistance systems from the XPower® models are available in the new mid-range series. These include active personnel detection at the rear, weighing device with Truck Payload Assist, integrated tyre pressure monitoring system and adaptive working lights. Front space monitoring and the Skyview 360° camera system are also available.
AT A GLANCE
• More power
• Roomier cab
• XPower® joystick steering available • Greater lifting force
• Optional assistance systems
www.hub-4.com May/June 2020 - Issue 62
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