SAB Expands Quarry Fleet With Liebherr XPower Wheel Loaders & R 945 G8 Crawler Excavator

---

SAB recently received seven new Liebherr XPower wheel loaders for its quarries in France. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr.)

Quarrying firm SAB meets 25% of demand for the French département of Hautes-Alpes, and since the company was founded in 1985, it has run more than 50 Liebherr machines. SAB recently expanded its Liebherr quarry fleet with seven XPower wheel loaders and an R 945 G8 crawler excavator. These machines are expected to average 1,500 to 2,000 hours per year in SAB’s quarries.

“Choosing Liebherr is a decision for reliability and for the regular technical developments that meet our needs,” says SAB Director Lionel Para.

Liebherr XPower Wheel Loaders

Known for their high engine power ratings, Liebherr’s XPower wheel loaders range from the L 550 XPower (tipping load of 27,560 pounds; 12,500 kilograms) to the L 586 XPower (tipping load of 49,605 lbs; 22,500 kg). Liebherr says the latest generation of XPower wheel loaders are equipped with a hydraulic system that achieves higher breakaway forces.

SAB also appreciates the XPower wheel loaders’ comparatively low fuel consumption figures and efficient maintenance options, which are made simpler thanks to service access points within easy reach from stable ramps with non-slip surfaces.

---

Liebherr’s R 945 G8 excavator offers greater power and a heavier counterweight than its predecessors. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr.)

R 945 G8 Crawler Excavator

SAB says the R 945 G8 is in use at the Sablière du Beynon quarry, where the company quarries 496,040 tons (450,000 metric tons) a year. Liebherr says the Generation 8 machine delivers more power and a heavier counterweight than previous models, which allows for higher bucket capacities. The new crawler excavator also lowers fuel consumption with its Stage V engine, an optimized load curve, and higher boom forces. SAB reports that its R 945 G8 consumes just 4.75 gallons (18 liters) of fuel per hour. The company also appreciates that the digger was manufactured in Colmar, France.

“Buying machines made in Europe and even in France is an important signal at this time when we need to support our industries in an increasingly uncertain and globalized economic environment,” Para says.

Source: Liebherr