Enhanced safety for attachment changeover: Further development of hydraulic quick coupler from Liebherr

The operator of a hydraulic excavator must be able to clearly see and recognise at a glance whether the quick coupler and the attachment are correctly connected following a tool change. To make this more practical, Liebherr has added an additional safety component to its hydraulic quick coupling system: a second proximity sensor.

With the hydraulic quick coupler from Liebherr, the function of the first proximity sensor serves to determine the position of the retracted or extended bolt. It forwards the signal whether the quick coupler is locked or unlocked to the warning buzzer or the display. The new second proximity sensor also monitors the position of the attachment to the quick coupler. If the bolts are extended without the attachment being connected to the quick coupler, a warning tone sounds in the cab and a warning signal appears on the display. It stands out from other status messages with its yellow colour.

If the machine operator wants to deliberately move the hydraulic excavator without an attachment he or she can mute the warning tone after four intervals. The visual warning on the display still remains active. When the hydraulic quick coupler is operated again this muting is automatically deactivated and the signal tone is emitted again. This combination of visual and acoustic responses of the locking position increases the safety of the machine operator and staff on the construction site.

The second proximity sensor is endorsed by the professional trade association of the construction industry BG Bau. It is included as standard for all hydraulic quick couplers on Liebherr hydraulic excavators. From mid-2016 Liebherr will also offer it as standard on Liebherr quick couplers on alternative manufacturers’ hydraulic excavators. All quick couplers which have already been supplied can also be retrofitted with minimal effort and cost.

With the hydraulic Liebherr quick coupler a simple and safe change of mechanical attachments is possible from the cab. If the hydraulic coupling system LIKUFIX is added, then the quick and safe changeover of hydraulic attachments is possible at the touch of a button. This increases the versatility and productivity of the excavator whilst also ensuring that the safety of the job-site is preserved.

Be it for road construction, demolition or pipeline and cable construction: The use of a range of construction machines and the corresponding attachments is an important prerequisite for the efficient and timely completion of demanding projects.