Cable management solution for electric excavator introduced
Liebherr has over 30 years of experience with electric excavator technology, and has recently introduced the Liebherr cable reeler option for the entire range of mining excavators from R 9150 to R 9800 in both face shovel and backhoe configurations. The cable reeler enables management of the excavator’s electric cable during operation and provides better mobility of the machine, optimises safety, and reduces the number of crew required for cable handling.
The cable reeler is an automated, hydraulically driven solution, with a reach of up to 300m. The heavy-duty installation into the undercarriage structure is designed in a way that the excavator ground clearance is not reduced.
Liebherr autonomy set for deployment
Liebherr Mining is currently setting the foundation for the first deployment of its autonomous haulage solution, which is scheduled to commence in Australia in 2023. Liebherr’s autonomous haulage solution delivers the next generation of on-board intelligence, with reduced dependency on site infrastructure and centralised supervisory systems. Together with vehicle-to-vehicle technologies, Liebherr’s smart autonomous solutions provide on-board obstacle avoidance and load area path planning capabilities for optimisation of traffic flow. Liebherr’s solutions offer a high level of safety integrity with the introduction of an 8-layer safety concept in combination with the latest on-board perception technologies for long range, high resolution and 360-degree coverage. This makes the Liebherr system a unique offer to the market with important operational advantages when compared to other systems currently operated or offered.
The deployment in Australia will include both Liebherr’s Autonomy Ready Kit, and the Liebherr Autonomy Kit, which will integrate with the customer’s preferred traffic and fleet management systems. This follow’s Liebherr’s philosophy of open and interoperable mining architecture, allowing customer’s the freedom of choice in selection of best-in-class base machines, automation, traffic management, and fleet management systems. The Autonomy Ready Kit is available to purchase for the Liebherr mining truck model T 264, T 274 and T 284.
Liebherr’s partnership with Fortescue
As a key partnership within the Zero Emission Mining Program, Liebherr has recently announced its partnership with Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) for the development and supply of mining haul trucks integrating zero emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). The phased supply of haul trucks is anticipated to commence following a two-year joint development period enabling the development and integration of Fortescue’s proprietary-owned battery electric and fuel cell electric power system, into Liebherr’s zero emission drive optimised and updated base truck. To achieve the target, Liebherr will use its vast OEM expertise in the design and manufacturing of machinery and machinery core technology such as electric drive systems, engines, hydraulics, and electronics, to engineer, manufacture, and supply the new mining haul trucks in accordance with Fortescue’s delivery requirements.
Advanced Assistance Systems provide semi-autonomous machine guidance
Liebherr Mining has expanded its Assistance Systems product range for mining trucks with the Trolley Guidance System and Crusher Guidance System. Available on the T 264, T 274, and T 284 mining trucks and able to be retrofitted to existing fleet, the mining truck Assistance Systems improve operator efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, increase operational safety, and reduce the risks of damage to the machine. Both Assistance Systems have been successfully validated in a mine this year.
The new products Trolley Guidance and Crusher Guidance provide semi-autonomous steering of the truck to maintain a consistent path while under the trolley line and while backing into a crusher, respectively. The Trolley Guidance also automatically raises the pantograph as it enters and leaves the trolley line.
