Plant & Equipment | January - February 2021 Edition

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PRODUCT NEWS - ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INTERVIEW

‘ELECTRIC DRIVE IS A MATURE TECHNOLOGY’ Liebherr’s mining equipment division produces a number of electric machines, including the R 9200 E, a 205 tonne excavator, and the T 236, a 100 tonne class mining truck. When it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the mining sector, electric drive machines have a key role to play says the company. Plant & Equipment: What are the potential cost savings for end users of adopting electric machines in the mining industry? Liebherr: The potential direct cost savings come from the replacement of the diesel engine by the electric drive. Aside from the fuel itself, the other main cost reduction drivers are: engine fluids, e.g. engine oil, coolant; filters, e.g. fuel filters, oil filters, air filters and coolant filters (sometimes also air compressor filters); engine mid-life – replacement of injectors or the turbo charger, and complete engine replacement for the

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overhaul, as an electric drive lasts two to three times longer than a diesel engine. Indirect savings can be highlighted on the main/hydraulic components due to the smoother running of the electric drive compared to the diesel engine. Less vibration and less acceleration result in extended component lifetimes.

P&E: Looking at your range of electric excavators such as the R 9200 E, are there any environmental factors that will affect its performance, or where it will have a better performance over a similar machine with a conventional diesel engine?


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