Liebherr upgrades L550 and L556 XPower wheel loader ranges

weight lifter

Liebherr has increased the performance capabilities of its L550 and L556 XPower

wheel loader ranges

following a new update

Above: The L550 wheel loader has a tip load of 12,500kg Below: Engine power has been boosted on the L556 XPower (pictured) and L550 series

We have purposefully invested in the performance and versatility of our two wheel loaders. In a new update to the L550 and L556 XPower wheel loader series, German manufacturer Liebherr has improved engine capabilities and equipment performance, along with overhauling the working hydraulics.

The updates aim to provide operators with an enhanced experience, especially on sites where the wheel loaders are primarily utilised, such as in waste disposal, according to Liebherr product manager Mark Walcher.

“We remain in close contact with our customers and understand the tough conditions at landfill sites and recycling centres,” says Walcher.

“With this in mind, we have purposefully invested in the performance and versatility of our two wheel loaders, as part of our model updates.”

As part of the update, Leibherr has increased the engine power on both the L550 and L556 XPower, increasing travel drive power and keeping fuel consumption low, even when accelerating or penetrating into material.

The overhaul of the working hydraulics has seen the addition of dynamic ‘lift and tip’ functions, which can be used regardless of the size or weight of the working tool.

Perhaps the biggest modification to the wheel loaders is structural reinforcement of the machine’s lift arms, which now allow for higher breakout, holding and retrieval forces than before, and easing the challenge of lifting difficult materials, such as scrap metal and paper.

Updates to the four lift arm variations in the L550 and L556 models, through z-bar kinematics and industrial kinematics, have been made across all versions and have been reinforced within the steel structure.

The z-bar kinematics modifications offer improved strength in the lower lifting range and higher breakout forces than in previous models and excels when maximum force is produced such as picking up large rocks, gravel and construction debris.

The industrial kinematics is tailored to industrial functions that require operators to work with heaving working tools, such as light material buckets, high dump buckets and log grapplers, and also offers parallel guidance.

A high lift version, which can utilise both z-bar and industrial kinematics, is also available with extended arms for increased reach and greater loading capabilities at a great height.

The update will also allow operators to use larger buckets than before, thanks to the reinforcement to the lift arms, and move more material in a single load.

The L550 and L556 XPower models will also include the fully automatic Likufix quick couple system, which has historically only been a feature of Leibherr’s hydraulic excavator range.

The system allows operators to safely and easily switch mechanical and hydraulic attachments and tools from inside the cab using a button. According to Leibherr, the addition of the system in the wheel loaders will “revolutionise operations involving multiple attachments or tools”.

Both the L550 and L556 models, which have tip loads of 12,500kg and 13,750kg respectively, can be prepared for customer-specific requirements and a hydraulic quick coupler with optimised visibility and a range of assistance systems is available as an option.