Delson Contracts - Building on Liebherr Reliability
Scottish contractor strengthens fleet with PR 716 G8 Crawler Dozer for mixed development project
At a new housing and industrial development near Kirriemuir, Delson Contracts is relying on Liebherr machinery to deliver quality across every phase of construction. The latest addition to their growing fleet—a PR 716 G8 Crawler Dozer—combines compact dimensions with powerful performance. Packed with the latest generation of operator assistant systems, Liebherr’s dozer range provides precision grading capabilities and highest operator comfort. After successfully integrating Liebherr wheeled and crawler excavators, the company has made Liebherr its primary equipment supplier, with reliability and long-term performance as the deciding factors.
On the outskirts of Kirriemuir, just north of Dundee, Delson Contracts is shaping a new development of private housing and high-specification industrial units. Established in 1990, the company operates across four core sectors: recycled aggregates, civil engineering, demolition, and design-and-build packages. With a portfolio spanning landmark projects like the Digital Media Park at Ninewells and coastal protection works at Broughty Ferry, Delson Contracts has built a reputation for delivering technically demanding work with precision. "We traditionally favoured one manufacturer," explains Managing Director Bruce Stott. "That changed when we introduced our first Liebherr wheeled excavators. The quality and service impressed us so much that today most of our larger equipment is Liebherr." The fleet now includes two A 910 Compact Litronic wheeled excavators, an A 914 Compact Litronic, an R 922 Litronic crawler excavator, and the new PR 716 G8 Crawler Dozer.
The company's Kirriemuir site provided the perfect setting to put the new PR 716 G8 to work. One of Delson Contracts' longest-serving operators, Ben Cummings, used the machine to spread material and raise ground levels across the development. "I've operated dozers on and off over the years, but the PR 716 is one of the smoothest and easiest I've used," Ben says. "It pushes hard when you need it to, but it's also very controlled when trimming and finishing. It's genuinely versatile." As the smallest model in Liebherr's G8 range, the PR 716 G8 weighs between 13.3 and 15.8 tonnes and is powered by a 145 hp/107 Kw diesel engine with Liebherr's proven hydrostatic travel drive. This delivers excellent fuel efficiency—averaging just 9.3 litres per hour—while providing class-leading drawbar pull for bulk material movement and precise control for fine grading.
It's compact, but it pushes far harder than its size suggests, and the build quality is exactly what we expect from Liebherr.
The job
About the PR 716 G8
Delson Contracts specified its PR 716 G8 in LGP configuration with 711 mm track pads and a standard 6-way-blade, pre-wired for Trimble Earthworks machine control used across the fleet. Inside the cab, Ben appreciates the spacious design: "It's noticeably larger than our previous dozer. The amount of glass makes it incredibly bright, and you can see the blade clearly without constantly shifting around." The machine features Liebherr's standard Operator Assistance Systems, including Free Grade for active blade stabilisation and Definition Grade for automatic 2D surface modelling. Service accessibility was also carefully considered—wide-opening engine bay doors allow easy daily maintenance, while the cab tilts rearwards for hydraulics access.
"Although the Crawler Dozer won't be used every day, having it available when we need it is extremely important," Bruce concludes. "If it performs like our other machines, it will be a very successful long-term addition. Any minor issues we've had in the past have been dealt with quickly and professionally. Liebherr listens to our feedback, and that level of support is a big part of why we continue to invest in the brand." With its combination of efficiency, precision and operator-focused design, the PR 716 G8 is now playing a key role in supporting Delson Contracts' continued growth across Scotland.
