LiuGong's B series wheeled skid steer loaders are the latest additions to the Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer's product range in Australia which currently includes excavators, wheeled loaders and forklifts.
Distributed by AWD Group in Australia, the skid steers are suited not only for earthmoving work but also agricultural tasks such as grain loading or bale handling, the company says.
The range-topping 385B skid steer was on display at the recent Elmore Machinery Field Days. It features an operating weight of 3550kg, comes standard with a 0.6 cubic-metre bucket with a lift capacity of 1045kg, and has a power output of 83hp.
"It opens itself to a large variety of uses," says Roy Rossini from AWD Group.
"Farmers, operators who do small wood chip or mulching operations can put larger buckets on it…it suits most farming tasks, road works, construction areas and more where wheeled skid steers are used."
What sets this machine apart from others, Rossini says, is its comfort factor.
"It's a completely sealed cab with plenty of room in the cabin for blokes of all sizes," he says.
"This is a pilot controlled machine so there's no foot control in these any more, giving the operator a full day of comfort. So when they finish at the end of the day, they don't have any issues with sore legs or backs.
"All the controls are very clear and easy to see, the paneling is very clear, and the technology they've put in is world class."
Serviceability is another key feature of the machine, with most parts accessible for servicing via the tilting cab and rear door.
"We run a Yanmar engine in this which gives 83hp, and a Bosch-Rexroth hydraulic system which is common around the world in a lot of skid steers," Rossini says.
The 385B is priced from $66,000, and is available with a range of attachments and options to suit different applications.
Rossini adds the machines AWD Group imported into the country have been tailored to suit Australian conditions and customers.
"When we bring in a machine, we bring in one that's designed for our marketplace. We don’t just bring in something that's sold in the Chinese marketplace," he says.
"We make sure that us as Westerners are comfortable and understand the machines, hence we use common and identifiable parts within these units such as Yanmar turbo engines."
"Historically some of the products in the marketplace haven’t been up to scratch but now, with this new series of machines that LiuGong is bringing in, they are certainly right up there with the major players."
Find out more about the B series skid steers on liugongaustralia.com.au
Basic specifications:
LiuGong 385B skid steer loader
Engine - Yanmar 4NV98T-ZNLYS
Gross Power - 61.6 kW (82.6 hp) @ 2,400 rpm
Net Power - 57.3 kW (76.8 hp) @ 2,400 rpm
Breakout Force - 25 kN
Rated Load - 1,045 kg
Bucket Capacity - 0.6 m³
Operating Weight - 3,550kg