The Bethell Group has expanded its fleet with two specially configured Liebherr R 930 crawler excavators and a Liebherr LTR 1060 telescopic crawler crane. This move strengthens the long-established British company's capabilities in excavation and shaft sinking for urban infrastructure projects.
Machines tailored for excavation and shaft work
Bethell, which specialises in complex work in confined urban environments, was looking for machines that combine precision, safety and robustness. After an 18-month rental period, the company decided to purchase its own specialised equipment in order to be able to respond more flexibly to increasing order volumes.
“We were very impressed by the quality of the complete package offered by Liebherr. Everything went smoothly. And the fact that a single manufacturer is responsible for production, delivery and warranty gives us great peace of mind,” emphasises Ronan Kilroe, operations manager at Bethell.
Specially adapted R 930 excavators for demanding applications
The two crawler excavators delivered to Bethell are based on the standard R 930 model developed and built by Liebherr France SAS and each have an operating weight of approx. 40 tonnes (compared to 30.4 to 36.3 tonnes for the standard version).
They are equipped with an extended chassis and a hydraulically liftable driver's cab, which gives the driver a viewing height of up to five metres – ideal for monitoring excavation work. The working attachment includes a two-part boom and a telescopic stick for increased reach. For safety, the machines are equipped with rollover protection with an optimised field of vision and ring-shaped lighting that clearly delineates the work area.
A tailor-made project with the Liebherr Application Centre in Colmar
The development of these special excavators was made possible by the expertise of the Liebherr Application Centre at the Liebherr-France SAS site in Colmar. This department is dedicated to customising crawler excavators in accordance with specific customer requirements, relying on close cooperation between engineering, sales and customers. A detailed analysis is carried out for each project, taking into account practical conditions and operational requirements.
In Bethell's case, technical consultations led to a tailor-made configuration with working equipment specially adapted to the requirements of excavation and shaft work. At the same time, a high level of comfort and safety for the driver has been ensured. “It was a long process, but it paid off. We have received three excellent products that will serve us well for many years to come,” concludes Ronan Kilroe.
Liebherr stands for tailor-made solutions – even for demanding operations. With its versatile attachments, even complex tasks can be reliably mastered. For this specific customer requirement, a suitable suspension was developed and implemented for use with a telescopic stick. For deep excavations, Liebherr also offers customized grab extensions and special rotary drives. An integrated ejector also enables complete emptying of the shells – for maximum efficiency on the construction site.
