Liebherr has developed a new series of articulated dump trucks (ADTs) in the 30 - 45 short ton class (approximately 25 - 40 metric tonne). They are currently undergoing testing at the company’s Kirchdorf facility in Germany. The machines are planned to enter mass production in 2020, initially included in the company’s rental fleet. Sale is expected to be available in 2021.

Designed and manufactured at the Kirchdorf facility, the new ADTs are suitable for use in quarries, large infrastructure projects, and special applications in tunnel construction. They provide the operator with an excellent view to the front, side and rear as well as to both sides of the articulated joint.

The operating and maintenance concept of these new ADTs has been completely revised and optimised, said Liebherr, so that users can keep their operating and maintenance costs as low as possible.

“The dump truck completes its daily maintenance work automatically,” said Rudolf Arnold, managing director for sales at Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH. “The weighing system is integrated as standard in the machine. The comprehensive assist systems include the hill start assist, the stability assistant, adaptive cruise control, as well as a height limitation.”

The new ADTs will complement the comprehensive product portfolio of Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger. The company said that at the moment, sales of its earthmoving machines produced in Kirchdorf are strongly focused on the European market. “With the introduction of new products such as the ADTs, the balance will shift towards Africa, Asia and America,” said Mr Arnold.

Liebherr’s development and demonstration centre in Kirchdorf was inaugurated in 2018. This 12.8-ha facility serves as the development and testing ground for Liebherr earthmoving machines and material handlers. “This investment of €30 million ensures the successful implementation of our future-oriented technologies,” stated Mr Arnold.

Click here to watch a short video of the machines.

More details on the new Liebherr ADTs will be published in the SEAC Jan/Feb 2020 issue.