Capital Equipment News December 2017

HAULING

The Erzberg mine was carefully chosen as the testing ground because it offers a varied and interesting set of conditions for field trials.

The T 236 has successfully completed the testing phase and has recently started its field operation trials at the Erzberg iron ore mine in Austria.

“The revolutionary in-line electrical power train layout minimises cable length, while the maintenance free IP 68-rated plug-and-drive power modules ensure reliable operation in all-weather conditions. Combined with the extended life service intervals and minimised maintenance time offered by the ground-level service points, the T 236 ensures maximum uptime,” says Dr. Richthammer. For easy service access, the alternator is remote mounted and connected to the splitter box with a drive shaft. The electrical control cabinets of the drive are in maintenance-free segregated modules, ensuring protection in the tough mining environment. The power modules only control the drive, operating with 600 Volts AC and 900 Volts on the DC link to remain in a class of low tension, while all auxiliary systems are hydraulically driven – allowing regular site electricians to work on the system. An additional benefit of the external power module grounding system in the powertrain and positive drive isolation is that it allows work to be done on the machine while the engine is running. Safety features in the truck’s cab, such as dual-side access and incorporation of ROPS comparable to a 150 t class truck, were engineered during the initial design process, while a recessed, full-size passenger seat allows for increased visibility. Market conditions Speaking of current global market conditions, Stefan Heissler, member of the Board of Directors at Liebherr-International AG Bulle (Switzerland), says despite the tough market environment in 2016, the Liebherr Group still managed the third-highest turnover in the group’s history, with total sales of €9 009 million. “We have seen market conditions improving in 2017 along with the overall global economy,” says Heissler. “We expect sustained growth for the rest of the

The in-line electrical power train layout minimises cable length, while the maintenance free IP 68-rated plug-and-drive power modules ensure reliable operation in all-weather conditions.

year and into 2018, both in developed and emerging markets. He is encouraged by the International Monetary Fund’s projection which expects global growth to rise to 3,6% in 2018, compared with 3,1% in 2016. “Between more favourable conditions and our continued investment in the company’s growth, the Liebherr Group is on track for a record turnover in 2017. Looking at the first six months of 2017, our turnover was nearly €4,8 billion. This represents a 6,4% year-on- year increase compared with the turnover of €4,5 billion during the same period in 2016,” says Heissler. Heissler says this year’s growth by region has been varied, with significant gains in Eastern Europe and moderate growth in Western Europe offsetting decreasing turnover in the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. “Compared with 2016 – and even the previous years – we have seen a significant jump in incoming orders. While orders in the past years hover around €4,3 to €4,4 billion, in the first six months of 2017 we had more than €5,2 billion in orders,” he adds. Speaking of the rest of 2017, Heissler says the Liebherr Group expects a strong finish to what he anticipates to be a record

year in turnover. “We expect nearly all our product divisions to improve, with the most significant growth coming from the Earthmoving, Mobile Cranes, Tower Cranes, Mining and Tool and Automation divisions,” says Heissler. To further ensure growth, the group will continue to invest substantially in its international production facilities, as well as distribution and service network. “In 2017, we will invest €733 million in total. That equates to a 7,4% investment rate, which remains in line with past years.” Heissler says the group’s competitive edge is its long-term thinking, including its approach to cultivating innovation. “We take a steady, patient approach to all what we do, from the organisation of our company, to our investments and employees,” he says. Liebherr’s strong financial footing and its diversified approach allows it to continuously invest in research and development (R&D), key technologies and its people – all very critical to creating innovation. “As a result, we will be able to continue to secure the innovation necessary to maintain a competitive edge across all our industries, as demonstrated by the T 236 mining truck,” concludes Heissler. b

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