Liebherr excavator for CEMEX

CEMEX are using a Liebherr R 9350 Litronic hydraulic excavator to extract up to 1 million tonnes of limestone a year, without the use of explosives, at a quarry in Rüdersdorf, near Berlin. Weighing 300 tonnes, Liebherr say the crawler excavator is the largest of its type in use in Germany.

In order to achieve the high penetration forces needed in this application, the R 9350 is equipped with a narrow, 2.55m wide 8.3m3 capacity folding shovel at 2.55m wide, and is powered by a 1,120kW (1,500hp) Cummins engine, developing a penetration force of up to 1,548kN.

Limestone has been quarried at Rüdersdorf for more than 750 years, and since work now sometimes takes place about 60m from a residential area, conventional blasting methods are no longer permitted due to noise emissions and earth tremors. Noise emissions from direct excavation work also have to be kept to a minimum, so the R 9350 is equipped with a special noise-suppression package that includes side-mounted noise-absorbing boxes and a final-stage exhaust silencer.

The driver’s cab is fully air-conditioned and operators are protected against direct sunlight and noise by Venetian blinds, tinted windows and a high level of insulation. The electronic pilot control system makes operation of the excavator simple, safe and precise. At any time the driver can call up all the current operating data on an ergonomically positioned display.

The engine and pump compartment is of generous size, allowing service personnel to work while standing erect, coupled with excellent access to driveline components for maintenance. All service points on the R 9350 are easily reached and grouped together in a central position wherever possible.