Liebherr steps up its transition into developing alternative drive train technology

Liebherr recently launched its L 507 E Stereo wheeled loader onto the market as the company steps up its transition into developing alternative drive train technology.

A recent press event held in two locations in Germany saw the company expand on its already considerable alternative drive train portfolio with the introduction of both the

L 507 E and the A 916 E wheeled excavator which was shown in prototype form at last year’s Bauma.

Joining the manufacturer’s list of material handling, mining, ground engineering and crane technology already using battery and plug-in electric power, the wheeled loader and wheeled excavator have both been designed to allow for easy and rapid charging with both machines capable of undertaking a 7-9 hour shift on a single charge depending on the application.

Looking at the A 916 E first, this 18-tonne excavator is exactly the same as it’s diesel-powered cousin with the engine and cooling pack replaced with the electric motor. Behind the cab where the diesel tank would have been positioned now sits a removable battery pack which can be charged in-situ or quickly released, removed, and replaced with a fully charged pack.

The L 507 E uses different technology in the form of a fixed battery solution. Coming in either a single version with 32.2kWh output or with a dual battery option doubling the power to 64.4kWh, the compact loader, like the excavator, is exactly the same as its fossil fuel powered variant.

The event also showed off the MK 88 4.1 self-erecting tower crane and LTC 1055 cranes both of which can be plugged into a suitable electric supply and run on site with zero emissions.

Having that suitable supply of electric can be an issue with many sites still run from large diesel generators. Liebherr has addressed this issue with the introduction of the Liduro Power Port system. Currently available with power outputs ranging from 65 kWh to 130 kWh, the Power Port is a fully transportable power pack allowing the quick, safe and convenient charging of battery powered equipment on site. Being transportable, the unit shown came on its own twin-axle trailer, means it can be towed from site to site and quickly charged back up overnight on suitable supply. Supplied as standard with a variety of power connection options means the Liduro Power Port is suitable for a wide range of battery powered equipment. While the MK and LTC cranes still use a diesel engine to provide movement between sites, both cranes at the event were plugged into the Liduro which meant silent and emission free operating.

Already having its batching plants powered by electric, the company was keen to show off its ETM electric mixer drums, both of which were mounted to electric truck chassis. Powered by the truck’s own onboard supply, the drums offer the same capacities as the standard HTM drums yet offer the environmentally conscious operator a reduction in fuel usage with no engine idling whilst waiting to discharge on site.

While the main focus seems to be on developing certain sectors with electric and battery alternatives, Liebherr was also keen to show its H966 prototype hydrogen engine. First seen on its Bauma 2022 stand powering a 40-tonne class excavator, the engine is derived from a standard 13.5 litre, 6-cylinder diesel version. In line with Liebherr’s commitment to reduce not only their customers’ carbon footprint, but the decision to design the H966 around an engine already in production, reduces its requirement for additional resources when designing a new engine from scratch.

Liebherr now offers one of the widest ranges of reduced emissions machinery anywhere. With current developments moving at a pace, it will be interesting to see where the next few years of development take the company.