LiuGong hits the quarry performance markers
After trialling the company’s wheel loader, a family-owned business was a convertIt has taken little time for South Australian quarry operator, Peter Gaskell, to be convinced of the merits of LiuGong wheel loaders.
Gaskell and his family – son Scott and daughters Nicole and Lauri – operate the Port Neill Quartzite Quarry on the state’s Eyre Peninsula, as well as other businesses in other parts of the state doing earthmoving, road construction, reef and rock removal, rock crushing, landscape supplies and fire and safety services.
On trips from Port Lincoln through to Keith, Gaskell would drive pass LiuGong machines and following encouragement from Mark Mander at Lewis Ag & Construction in Adelaide, he decided to trial a LiuGong wheel loader alongside a Volvo 120 rig at the quarry.
The high-specification LiuGong 856H wheel loader is powered by a turbocharged, intercooled six-cylinder Cummins Stage III engine with a German seven-speed powershift transmission. It produces 217hp and has a top speed of 40km/h, with a tipping load of 12.4 tonnes.
Extra features on the high-spec model include the auto greaser, inboard brakes, radial tyres, ride control, a reversing fan, rear view cameras and extra counterweights. Daily maintenance is also an effortless process.
The two loaders are used to stockpile and load trucks at the quarry, and the 856H has now clocked more than 1000 hours.
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“The Volvo probably pushes a bit more, but it is a 21.5-tonne machine compared with the 19.7-tonne LiuGong, which is also a bit more aggressive with the transmission as you drop down,’’ Peter said.
“We need one more loader and we are also looking at LiuGong for the excavators. You get a two-year warranty as well – not that we have had to use it much.
“We were a little concerned about the backup, but it’s been good and we haven’t had to do anything. Alongside the Volvo, it is all there with the LiuGong.’’
He said he enjoyed the driveability and joystick operation of the LiuGong more than the Volvo, and is also impressed by its comfort.
“We also had other drivers that did not want to get out of the Volvo, but they got used to the LiuGong and now like it better.’’
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