Wheel loader lineup incorporates two drive types

Liebherr’s XPower L 586 wheel loader features two drive types so it can be used in various applications. Photo by Megan Smalley

Liebherr released its XPower large wheel loaders to the North American market during ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017.

The XPower lineup includes the L 550, L 556, L 566 and L 580 wheel loaders. The loaders feature power-split transmission, which allows the loaders to combine two types of drive, the company says. It is variable and continuously adapts the mixing ratio of the two drive paths without noticeable switching and without interrupting traction power.

The hydrostatic drive is most efficient for material uptake and traveling over short distances, and the mechanical drive is more efficient for long distances and driving uphill. This gives operators the ability work in a variety of applications from maintaining material stockpiles to hauling and loading crushers and trucks. The combination of the two drive types ensures efficiency and fuel savings, enabling operators to reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent, Liebherr adds.

The company also reinforced core components on the XPower loaders, such as the hydraulic cylinders. It also reinforced the loaders’ lift arms and optimized the lever ratios. In addition, improved Z-bar linkage provides breakout forces that are up to 20 percent higher than those of previous machine generations, according to Liebherr.

Additionally, Liebherr redesigned the bucket to enable it to better penetrate material to facilitate fast, efficient filling. The XPower lineup uses standard buckets between 4.2 cu. yd. and 7.8 cu. yd., depending on the machine model.