Capital Equipment News March 2016

LIUGONG INTRODUCES new 70 ton heavy duty excavator

By Pierre Sanson

L iuGong, the premier Chinese construc- tion machinery supplier, has in the last few years adjusted its strategies to challenge a new era in the industry. In 2014, LiuGong launched a new brand strategy for the global market which entailed working together with its subsidiaries and dealers to ensure a unified voice and create brand consistency throughout the world. Product quality is the key to success in the open market and by committing consider- able resources to machine excellence and customer service, LiuGong has ensured it remains competitive at all times. The com- prehensive product range comprises 15 product lines, namely, wheel loaders, exca- vators, bulldozers, motor graders, pavers, cold planers, skid steers, backhoe loaders, rollers, forklifts, truck mounted cranes, crawler cranes, pipelayers, mining dump trucks and concrete equipment. LiuGong places a strong emphasis on cre- ating value through cooperation and as such has developed relationships with part- ners who share the same philosophy of de- livering technical excellence to customers across the world. These partnerships are focused on the machines’ core technologies and major components. For example, the company has key ventures with renowned organisations such as Cummins and ZF, al- lowing LiuGong to produce tailored, techni- cally advanced engines, transmissions and axles for its machines.

The introduction of the latest in heavy duty excavators, the E-Series 970E, 70 ton model, is a direct result of the cooperation with the world’s best component manufacturers. The E-Series is the latest generation of LiuGong excavators, following in the tracks of the successful D-Series which is renowned for its high reliability and serviceability and now possess even stronger power, easier control and more safety. The 970E’s development includes the LiuGong’s Intelligent Power Control System (IPC) to provide more accurate matching and control over engine speed and main pump flow, delivering more power, faster response and smoother operation. Equipped with the fuel-efficient, world-class Cummins QSX-15 engine, the 970E meets stage II/ EPA Tier2 emission standard. The 15 litre engine has a gross power output of 354 kW (481 hp) @ 1 800 rpm and torque of 2 200 Nm @ 1 400 rpm. To further optimize performance and cut fuel consumption, the 970E features 6 selectable working modes; power, economy, fine, lifting breaker and attachment. A further contributor to reducing fuel consumption is the auto-idle speed function which automatically reduces the engine idle to 100 rpm when all levers are in neutral. The business end of the 970E consists of the boom and arm that is designed and built with internal baffle plates, stress-relieved for added durability and constructed from

high tensile steel plates. These structures are designed with large cross-sectional ar- eas and large one piece steel castings in the boom and arm supports which ensures long term durability and a resistance to bending and torsional stress. The ‘H’ beam structure used in the main platform contrib- utes to rigidity and strength of the unit. The 970E has a maximum digging depth of 7 250 mm and a ground level reach of 11 235 mm. With a bucket capacity of 4.3 cu metre, the 970E has a dump height of 6 965 mm, adequate for loading most mining type vehicles. The 376 kN bucket breakout force ensures efficiency in most material applications. The undercarriage of the 970E construc- tion is based on the well tried technology of X-type high strength, box-type walking frames. Sitting on track length of 4 750 mm and nine track rollers, the 970E is signifi- cantly stable in the most adverse underfoot conditions. The track width is adjustable to make easier to transport on a standard lowbed. The large, pressurised, air-conditioned cab is well equipped providing the operator with a wide field of vision including a height vi- sion. The colour LCD monitor displays all the machine information which includes all engine functions, hydraulic oil temperature and pressures, service interval alerts and fault alerts.

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