Liebherr shows its metal

In years past, equipment fleets in UK scrap yards tended to be dominated by excavators nearing the end of their productive working lives in construction applications. These days, the industry is more sophisticated and Northern Metal Recycling is keen to be at the forefront of sustainable recycling techniques and technology...with a little help from Liebherr material handlers...

The company’s business strategy is guided by a combination of efficient organisation and the right equipment, investing heavily at its yard in County Durham to increase throughput of materials. Managing director Jordan Bell explained ‘Having a well-organised yard and a great team who are all pulling in the right direction is a start. Having the right equipment in place to undertake the work in a safe and productive manner completes the circle.’

And for “the right equipment” the company continues to invest in Liebherr in line with its long-term plan to migrate to an all-Liebherr fleet. ‘The fuel efficiency and operator comfort of the Liebherrs are unsurpassed’ comments Jordan, hence the latest purchases of a pair of new LH 50 M material handlers to replace a competitor’s smaller machines.

Both newcomers arrived equipped with identical front-end configurations comprising GA18 boom and stick to allow a ground level reach of 19m and carrying Liebherr’s own GMM 50-5 five-tine, semi-closed scrap grabs with 0.90m³ capacity.

They joined a 38t LH 40 M Industry that was delivered last year and which has impressed with its hydraulic speed, comfort and smooth operation, encouraging Northern Metals to return to the German manufacturer for its latest acquisitions.

Although both machines are identified by the same model number, one is significantly larger due to the introduction of a 1.2m tall pylon that sits in between the chassis and upper carriage. Designated as an LH 50 M Industry High Rise, it increases the standard machine’s weight from 42t to 52t and the additional height gained from the pylon means it is ideal for loading shredded material into containers for export around the world.

Both machines were specified with Liebherr’s heavy-duty undercarriage with large single wheels and Solideal Magnum solid tyres, sitting on 70t drive axles. Four-point outriggers – each with 550mm x 550mm pads on the low-rise machine and 700mm x 850mm on the high-rise – provide stability even at the furthest reach. Cabs are hydraulically elevating, raising the operator’s eye level to 5.7m from the ground and boosting it to just over 8m on the sister model.

The handlers are identical under the skin, featuring Liebherr 4-cylinder, 7-litre D934 engines delivering 211hp. A simple AdBlue system allows the engine to meet the latest emissions regulations while a pair of 237l/min variable displacement pumps provide plenty of hydraulic muscle for simultaneous use of the attachment and drive functions.

The arrival of the new Liebherrs heralds an increase in capacity and throughput at the yard and will cement Northern Metal’s position as a leading player in the industry’s drive towards a more sustainable future.

And its investment comes at the right time, as Liebherr’s area sales manager Lee Graver explained: "The material handling market has never been as competitive, with more and more manufacturers showing a presence. Our production factory in Kirchdorf, Germany is constantly developing and improving our advanced material handling range to ensure we maintain our market leader status, ensure high levels of resale value and offer our customers a machine with low ownership costs."

‘"The fuel efficiency and operator comfort of the Liebherrs are unsurpassed" - Jordan Bell, Managing Director

Northern Metal Recycling is the north east’s largest independent metal recyclers operating from a 20 acre fully licensed metal recycling facility.