Liebherr R 978 SME crawler excavator impresses in France
New-generation crawler excavator weighing over 70 tonnes excels in large-scale direct excavation
THE new-generation Liebherr R 978 SME crawler excavator, developed and manufactured by Liebherr France SAS in Colmar, has quickly proven its value at Beynon sand and gravel quarry. Weighing 78.5 tonnes, the machine has been engineered for the most demanding environments and is currently being used for direct excavation of highly abrasive rock.
To prepare for this specific task, teams from SAB/Ets PIC and Liebherr France SAS collaborated to develop a reinforced bucket with a width of just 1,450mm and a capacity of 2m3, equipped with crusher-grade protective wear plates. Drawing on the customer’s experience, the PIC sales team was able to define precise specifications for the production of this custom bucket.
Despite the harsh operating conditions, the operator enjoys a comfortable working environment which combines spaciousness with low noise levels. Personal settings can be adjusted with the support of a trainer provided by sales partner Ets PIC as part of the handover, helping operators to familiarize themselves with the advanced technologies featured in the new-generation machines.
‘What most impressed me was the machine’s precision, and the fuel consumption – at around 40 litres/h, it’s very low,’ explained excavator operator Cédric Rouison.
With numerous enhancements, Liebherr’s new 70- and 100-tonne class crawler excavators – including the R 972, R 978 SME, R 992, and R 998 SME – are said to set new standards in performance, comfort, and energy efficiency. These models offer a high level of operator comfort, advanced assistance systems, and significantly reduced fuel consumption.
A key innovation is the patented Liebherr Power Efficiency (PE) engine control system, which complements existing working modes (P+/P/E) and reduces fuel consumption by 10–15% compared with previous models.
All machines in the range are also equipped with the Modetronic control system, already proven in Generation 8 excavators. This system allows the operator to tailor the hydraulic characteristics of the excavator to the respective application and to the personal preferences of the operator, enhancing both comfort and productivity. It controls key functions such as rotation, travel, boom, stick, and bucket movements.
Liebherr crawler excavators bearing the acronym ‘SME’ (super mass excavation) are purpose-built for high-volume excavation and are well suited for quarry operations. In the 70-tonne and above category, the R 978 SME and R 998 SME models feature a reinforced undercarriage that incorporates components from larger machines – such as the R 992 – into the standard product range.
These machines are also equipped with an enlarged counterweight, providing additional stability and allowing the use of larger-capacity buckets. Thanks to the special kinematics of the working attachment and reinforced cylinders, they deliver digging and breakout forces that are said to be unmatched in this machine class. All these features contribute to enhanced performance and efficiency on site, say Liebherr.
