Liebherr deployed the XPower® test wheel loaders in various quarries, recycling businesses and sawmills. The machines have also been involved in loading slag in a steel plant and coal in a harbour. The positive test results demonstrate that the efforts made by Liebherr to combine fuel efficiency, high performance, durability and comfort in a single wheel loader have achieved their goal over the long term.
Unique efficiency thanks to power-split XPower® driveline
Liebherr is installing the power-split XPower® driveline as standard in its large wheel loader series. This ensures power and efficiency in the new Liebherr large wheel loaders. The XPower® power-split transmission performs the same function as the traditional power-split transmission but with a greater level of efficiency. It combines two types of drive: the hydrostatic drive, the most efficient drive in short loading cycles, and the mechanical drive for long distances and driving up gradients.
The power-split transmission manages the interaction of the two drive types. It is adjustable and continuously adapts the mixing ratio of the two drive paths without noticeable switching and without interrupting traction power. In this way the power of the wheel loader adapts to the specific requirements of the particular task. A greater hydrostatic element comes into effect during starting and loading and a greater mechanical element is applied when travelling at higher speeds. Together, the two paths always transfer 100 per cent of the diesel engine power and only the mix ratio of the two paths changes.
With its innovative and efficient drive concepts, Liebherr has achieved a high level of efficiency in all areas where wheel loaders are used. The proven Liebherr-Power-Efficiency system (LPE) plays a key role in this. Over a test and development phase lasting several years, Liebherr worked continually to perfect the adaptation of all drive-train components. The result is that XPower® wheel loaders reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent enabling operators to reduce their operating costs.
High fuel efficiency: XPower® test wheel loaders are economical when rehandling
Rehandling a wide range of materials is one of the basic tasks for a wheel loader. This is why Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH trialled several machines in rehandling tasks. For example, a gravel and crushed stone plant tested an L 580 XPower® with Z-bar linkage and 5.7m³ bucket. The wet raw material, which the company extracts from a lake using a bucket chain, proved to be a particular challenge.
With the strengthened Z lift arms providing up to 20 per cent more break-out force, the machine operators lifted the wet material without a problem, and the optimised bucket design offered improved penetration action for the task. The responsiveness of the XPower® driveline was impressive when the loading route had an uphill gradient. The machine operator praised the quiet, comfortable handling and the agility of the wheel loader. At approximately 15 litres of diesel per operating hour, the L 580 XPower® consumes around five litres less than an existing competitor machine undertaking similar activities in the gravel and crushed stone plant.
An L 566 XPower® loaded approximately 1,500 tonnes of bulk material in a building materials recycling park. The wheel loader coped with the distances across the large site, which were generally much greater. In doing so, the wheel loader consumed between 14 and 18 litres of diesel. The machine operator was pleased with the level of performance and the comfort. As a senior employee at the recycling park commented, "The thrust force and acceleration of the L 566 XPower® are excellent. The machine is very responsive, but still runs quietly. The large cab is particularly comfortable. The driver's seat is great. I can adjust the steering wheel in three ways and the control elements are arranged so that all the information is available at a glance".