Winter wonders: Liebherr wheel loaders as versatile helpers in snow and ice

When the weather turns cold, Liebherr wheel loaders prove to be powerful and versatile winter machines in snow, frost and ice. The product range includes compact loaders and stereoloaders, telescopic wheel loaders and mid-sized wheel loaders, offering the ideal machine for every operation. Whether for snow clearance, gritting or de-icing, even in cramped spaces or with challenging loading heights, Liebherr wheel loaders are perfectly equipped for every task.

Powerful, comfortable and safe

To meet their statutory obligation to clear snow and ice from roads, local authorities and contractors need powerful vehicles for winter maintenance. Liebherr wheel loaders meet these high standards with their proven and powerful hydrostatic travel drive. They accelerate steplessly, with no interruption in tractive force or noticeable gear shifting. Their powerful hydraulic systems also ensure precise control of the attachments, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity in winter road maintenance.

Using the hydraulic quick coupler, snow ploughs, snow blowers and spreaders can be easily fitted on the wheel loaders and used for a wide range of tasks. This flexibility of the machines is ideal for both municipal and industrial applications, whether on narrow city streets or large industrial sites. Liebherr wheel loaders also guarantee comfort and a high level of safety, for example with ergonomically designed cabs, optional heated seats, innovative assistance systems such as active personnel detection at the rear and excellent work lighting. This lighting helps the operators in their daily work and ensures additional safety.

Compact loaders: the versatile all-rounders

Liebherr compact loaders – L 504 to L 508 Compact – are particularly suitable for winter road maintenance in cramped urban areas. Compact and highly manoeuvrable, they can be comfortably used on narrow roads and pavements. Standing less than 2.5 metres tall (L 504 and L 506), they allow fast and uncomplicated transport without low entrances and passages posing an obstacle. The compact design gives them a very low centre of gravity which allows them to handle heavy payloads with maximum stability and tipping safety – ideal for transporting large amounts of snow, for example.

Powerful engines and a hydraulic quick coupler for safely changing attachments enable them to efficiently clear snow and spread grit. The compact loaders are also compatible with various attachments, such as the light material bucket for moving snow, making them even more versatile for winter road maintenance. Automatic self-locking differentials ensure excellent traction – even on difficult terrain such as slippery roads.

Stereoloaders: the agile snow pros

Stereo steering, a proven combination of articulated and rear axle steering, makes the Liebherr stereoloaders – L 507 to L 518 Stereo – reliable partners in winter. Local authorities and contractors appreciate the manoeuvrability of the wheel loaders when deep snow disrupts road and pedestrian traffic. Thanks to stereo steering, operators can easily clear snow and ice from inner courtyards, tight parking spaces or narrow streets in residential areas. The sturdy axles have automatic self-locking differentials that provide traction in slippery conditions. In the Speeder version, which can travel at up to 38 km/h, the operator can manually engage a differential lock with a 100 percent locking effect on the front axle.

Liebherr stereoloaders are most often used by local authorities and contractors in combination with a light material bucket and snow chains. With this equipment, the agile machines are particularly versatile. A light material bucket is suitable for simple clearing work and for loading snow onto a truck to be taken away. Using a hydraulically adjustable snow plough, the stereoloaders can clear compacted snow from roads and pavements while using a sweeper to remove smaller amounts of loose powder snow. For heavy snow, they can be fitted with a snow blower, for which Liebherr offers high-flow hydraulics for the L 507 and L 509 models on request. This option increases the oil flow rate and thus the hydraulic power.

Telescopic wheel loaders: ideal for deep snow

The L 509 Tele telescopic wheel loader is a versatile special machine for Liebherr customers. It combines the lifting height and reach of a regular telescopic handler with the productive material handling capacity of a classic wheel loader. The specially designed telescopic lift arms allow manipulation heights of up to 4.8 metres and maximal forward reach. This makes the L 509 Tele ideal for piling snow and loading it onto trucks.

In addition, its stereo steering makes it highly agile, with fast and efficient manoeuvring even in confined spaces. With a top speed of 38 km/h, the telescopic wheel loader can work quickly and effectively. Local authorities and contractors mostly use the L 509 Tele in combination with a light material bucket, a snow plough or a snow blower for large amounts of snow. The high-flow hydraulics allow especially powerful and high-quality optional attachments to be fitted.

Mid-sized wheel loaders: powerhouses in the snow

Liebherr's mid-sized wheel loaders – the L 526 to L 546 – boast even more power and strength. The cleverly designed lift arms with z-bar kinematics have impressively fast tilt movements and cycle times and provide maximum breakout, holding and return forces, ideal for shifting snow and ice. The mid-sized wheel loaders can also quickly and efficiently remove snow from large areas. Their high traction also enables them to quickly and powerfully pile and push large amounts of snow. Stepless traction control combined with automatic self-locking differentials prevent the wheels from spinning, even on the worst terrain.

The mid-sized wheel loaders are compatible with many different attachments for a wide range of winter applications. Numerous assistance systems – such as active personnel detection with brake assist or adaptive work lighting for operations in twilight or at night – make it possible to work safely, productively and comfortably in winter conditions.

Liebherr offers a wide range of wheel loaders with the power and robustness to handle the most challenging winter jobs. Whether compact loaders for tight spaces, stereoloaders for precise manoeuvring, telescopic wheel loaders for long reach or mid-sized wheel loaders for operations requiring plenty of power, each machine offers unique advantages and versatility for clearing ice and snow. With various equipment options, the wheel loaders can be used in small spaces, on large sites, on snowdrifts and on ice.