Capital Equipment News August 2018

WHEEL LOADERS

LIEBHERR IN FOCUS

Liebherr builds five wheel loader models for less regulated markets – the L 524, L 538, L 550, L 566 and the L 580. The machines convince by Liebherr’s high standards of performance, reliability and fuel economy. The optimum weight distribution, combined with a wide range of attachments for different applications, supports businesses to benefit from increased productivity during daily operation. By using larger buckets compared to other types of wheel loaders in the same class, Liebherr wheel loaders meet the needs of customers.

have a purpose-built engine, transmission and axles that have minimal power losses without compromising the lifetime of the components,” says Schmitt. “Nevertheless, I would say that the biggest influence factor for efficient operation is the operator. Well trained operators don’t push the throttle to the bottom all the time; they know and have a feeling for how much power they need to fill the bucket quickly and while avoiding spinning tyres. Modern technologies and automatic support systems, which you find on Volvo wheel loaders, will help even an inexperienced operator to achieve good results,” adds Schmitt. Types of drivelines According to McNeill, the Bell E series range of wheel loaders has a drivetrain that comprises of a John Deere POWERTECH engine that powers a ZF powershift transmission which propels the machine through the John Deere Teammate V axles. A key benefit of this

mechanical drive is the provision of high end torque at the wheels and its simplicity to maintain. According to Schmitt, the powershift transmission is a proven technology with a very long life time. “The lock-up function eliminates the power losses from the torque converter. Intelligent shifting pattern – either selectable by the operator or sensed by the machines – makes the transmission adaptable to different applications,” he says. When it comes to the hydrostatic driveline, Schmitt says this is more efficient in short cycle loading as the power losses are not as high as with a torque converter. He, however, says that as most wheel loaders are used in load and carry applications – the hydrostat is very inefficient during these applications. Furthermore, the hydrostatic driveline generates a lot of heat and, therefore,

(CVT). It is a combination of a hydrostatic driveline and mechanical transmission. “It’s an efficient but complicated and very expensive solution. The lifetime expectations are not suitable for a wheel loader and early overhauls are necessary,” explains Schmitt. New developments As technological development continues apace, Volvo CE now uses its Optishift in the large wheel loader range, from the L150H to L260H. The patented Optishift includes two items: firstly the lock-up function and, secondly, the Reverse- by-Braking technology. Volvo CE has improved the lock-up shifting strategy when no throttle is applied. The lock-up function is available even in first gear – this is a big benefit in dozing applications or agriculture. Furthermore, you have a selectable automatic lock-up function between 2 nd -4 th , 3 rd -4 th or 4 th gear. “The Reverse-by-Braking control and response have also been improved. The large number of upgrades, improvements and new features continue to make the Volvo-developed Optishift the best in the industry, contributing to an overall 15% improvement in fuel efficiency,” says Schmitt. Speaking about some of the possible future developments in wheel loader drivelines, McNeill believes that more focus will be on gear shift improvements, torque convertor optimisation with lock up, as well as the development of engine torque vs. efficiency.

requires a lot of cooling capacity. Another driveline option is the Continuously Variable Transmission

“The lock-up function eliminates the power losses from the torque converter. Intelligent shifting pattern – either selectable by the operator or sensed by the machines – makes the transmission adaptable to different applications.”

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