Liebherr Debuts Generation 8 Material Handlers At IFAT 2026

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Liebherr debuted its electric Generation 8 material handler prototype, the LH 22 M Industry E, at the IFAT 2026 trade show. With a Mobility Kit option, it can use a magnet attachment in battery mode and recharge during operation. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr.)

Liebherr introduced its new Generation 8 material handlers from May 4 to 7 at the IFAT trade fair for water, waste, and raw materials management in Munich, Germany. The company previewed two prototypes, namely the diesel-powered LH 18 M Industry and the electric LH 22 M Industry E, designed for waste management, recycling, and industrial applications.

Liebherr highlighted the next-generation lineup’s improved handling performance, operator comfort, safety, service access, and electric-drive flexibility, as well as its new emCAB cabin and INTUSI (Intuitive User Interface) operating concept.

Gen 8 Traditional & Electric Drives

Liebherr says the versatile LH 18 M Industry and LH 22 M Industry E are suitable for high-utilization material-handling work in recycling yards, transfer stations, and similar environments. The manufacturer plans to offer the conventional-drive LH 18 M Industry with an electric drive in the future.

The new models are engineered for higher handling capacity, with optimized kinematics, robust construction, high load ratings, and long reach. The lift and stick hydraulic cylinders come with pipe-burst protection for increased safety. A new electric servo control system provides end-of-travel damping and operator-customizable settings.

Liebherr’s New emCAB

Liebherr’s new emCAB operator cabin introduces greater headroom and legroom, quality seating, and 15% more glass area for better all-around visibility. A sliding entry door and fully glazed cab floor are standard features. Control panels and joysticks are easy to use and ergonomically located.

The Generation 8 machines also introduce Liebherr’s INTUSI (Intuitive User Interface) operating concept. The interface uses a customizable, widget-style organization, like a smartphone, Liebherr says. INTUSI allows users to arrange frequently used machine functions for faster access and save them as custom operator profiles for easy reuse.

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Liebherr’s Generation 8, LH 18 M Industry diesel prototype comes with the new emCAB cabin, which enhances visibility with extra glass coverage, including a standard, fully glazed cab floor. (Photo courtesy of Liebherr.)

Electric Mobility Kit

An optional Mobility Kit should pique the interest of potential buyers of an electric Generation 8 Liebherr material handler, such as the LH 22 M Industry E. The kit allows the machine to operate on battery or site power, and to use a new magnet system in either mode. This marks the first time a Liebherr material handler supports magnet operation in battery mode.

The manufacturer will offer the Mobility Kit in 50- and 100-kilowatt-hour battery versions. To reduce downtime, the battery can be recharged while the machine is in use, during normal operation. Liebherr also offers different means of connecting the material handler to the grid while in mains mode, including a winding system, a trailing cable, and an undercarriage plug.

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