The market for quarry loading machines has been lively in recent months. Aggregates Business reports on the launch of a new premium wheeled loader range for Asian customers and two on-site success stories.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has launched its new generation wheeled loaders in Asia, which the manufacturer has said can deliver faster cycle times, exceptional operator comfort and intelligent solutions.
The range, comprising the L150, L180, L200 high lift, L220, and L260, has been available since earlier this year.
The launch of the wheeled loaders marks the next phase of Volvo CE’s new generation rollout in the Asian region, following the successful introductions of its new generation excavators earlier this year and the new generation articulated hauler range. Together, these launches represent Volvo CE’s most ambitious product and service renewal to date, offering customers a cohesive update of equipment engineered for tomorrow’s job sites.
To meet diverse regional needs, wheeled loaders will be introduced in T2 engine versions for Asian countries other than Japan, which will receive the T4f-compliant engine. For South Korea, a Stage V-compliant engine will be provided to meet local emission regulations.
According to Volvo CE, the machines are ideally suited to demanding applications such as material handling, quarrying, waste and recycling, and earthmoving. The new models feature load-sensing hydraulics that enable faster cycle times and greater responsiveness. Intelligent systems such as Auto Bucket Fill (optional), automatic bucket levelling, and Smart Control deliver consistent performance while reducing fuel consumption. The engines are also compatible with hydro-treated vegetable oils (HVO), supporting sustainability goals.
Performance is further enhanced with technologies such as optishift and “reverse by braking” (RBB), which are designed to cut cycle times and extend component life. Hydraulic upgrades include increased lift height and pump capacity (L150 and L180), while new driveline updates, such as automatic traction control (L220 and L260) and direct lock-up shifting (L150 and L180), improve traction, acceleration, and operator control.
Volvo CE has said the redesigned cab sets “new benchmarks for comfort and usability”, featuring a new integrated co-pilot and operator interface that enhances the operator experience. Other options, including premium heated and cooled seats, comfort drive control (CDC) and joystick steering, help to reduce fatigue during long shifts.
“Our new generation wheeled loaders represent a significant step forward in performance, efficiency and operator wellbeing,” Volvo CE head of productivity and retail development for Asia Ramarajan Rangarajan said.
“We have designed these machines not only to meet the evolving needs of customers in Asia but also to support them in achieving greater profitability, safety and sustainability in their operations.”
Magnificent Liebherr seven
A UK quarry and recycling company has taken its fleet of Liebherr equipment to seven with a major investment in new excavators and wheeled loaders. The four-machine package for Welton Aggregates comprised R 945 and R 938 excavators and a pair of XPower wheeled loaders to work at its Welton le Marsh and Hibaldstow quarries in Lincolnshire, England. Both sites quarry virgin aggregates and produce a range of recycled products and soils.
The wheeled loaders – L 566 and L 576 XPower models – and the 40-tonne R 938 are based at the Welton site, where the excavator spends its shifts either on chalk extraction or on duties in the recycling yard. Forty miles away at the Hibaldstow hard blue limestone quarry, the R 945 has become new frontline excavator and the company’s biggest digger at more than 45 tonnes.
The R 938 is one of 10 machines that comprise Liebherr’s Generation 8 tracked range, which begins with the recently introduced R 915 Compact and extends to the R 945 flagship model. With an operating weight between 37–40 tonnes, the 938 is powered by a 299 horsepower (HP) 8L Liebherr diesel engine.
Operator George Riggall said the manufacturer got it spot-on with the combination of power and fuel economy.
“It has no issues with working in some of the heavier material we have on site. Whether it’s clay or rubble, it copes easily with anything we put it to,” he said. “I’m really happy with the way this Liebherr has been performing for us.”
Elsewhere on the site, the L 566 XPower loader is employed for duties such as maintaining the stockpile, feeding the wash plant, and removing piles of screened soil adjacent to the crushing operation. Carrying a 4.1m³ general-purpose bucket, the loader has the same D944 engine as the R 938 excavator but produces slightly lower 249HP. Mated to Liebherr’s hydrostatic transmission, it provides class-leading pushing power to ensure a full bucket on each pass.
Meanwhile, the larger L 576 XPower has taken up frontline duties for truck loading on the virgin aggregates section of the site. With a larger 5.2m³ bucket, it will load each of the company’s eight-wheelers in just two passes.
Over at Hibaldstow, the Liebherr R 945 utilises an identical eight-litre, 299HP powerplant to that in the R 938, but with slight increases in torque and breakout forces. Fitted with a standard 6.45m mono boom and a 2.9m stick, it excavates limestone layers.
Once the surface soils have been removed, shallow layers of material, with a yellow limestone layer at the uppermost, are revealed. While those are relatively easy to remove, the underlying material is a little more stubborn. It requires a hydraulic hammer to break out layers of hard blue limestone into suitably sized pieces, which are fed into the crusher. Once each area is broken up, a heavy-duty rock bucket is attached to load the 25-tonne capacity dump truck, which ferries the material to the stockpiling area.
Under control
Develon and Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, have announced that the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution is now available as an after-market kit for all Develon 9 Series crawler excavators.
This advanced system is specifically designed to integrate with Develon’s existing 2D sensors and calibration systems, helping to ensure a smooth and efficient upgrade to 3D technology for customers across the entire 9 Series line-up.
“This partnership seamlessly integrates the advanced capabilities of Develon’s 2D systems with Leica Geosystems’ 3D technology,” Leica Geosystems machine control division president Neil Williams said.
“With an efficient installation and calibration process, this collaboration empowers customers to work smarter and achieve results faster.”
The Series 9 excavators feature an advanced, open control architecture that allows effortless real-time communication between the excavator’s built-in sensors and Leica Geosystems’ 3D machine control systems.
Through this control-level integration, operators can access Leica Geosystems’ precise 3D automation while continuing to benefit from Develon’s leading 2D technologies, including virtual wall for defining safe operation boundaries, weighing system for real-time load measurement and advanced lift assist for enhanced lifting stability.
Customers can install the Leica MC1 3D after-market kit, and with the Series 9 controller managing communication between internal and external systems, 3D enhancements are faster, simpler and more cost-effective than ever.
“By expanding the availability of the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution to all 9 Series crawler excavators, Develon is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,” Develon product manager in Europe Stephane Dieu said. AB
