Versatile 104-tonne Liebherr machine with bottom-dump shovel gives granite quarry a boost LAST year Liebherr delivered their first R 980 SME excavator with bottom-dump shovel in France The largest model in the range developed and manufactured by Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar the versatile machine has already won over longstanding Liebherr customer Traineau and efficiency at their granite-quarrying operation at Aizenay the excavator provides an optimal view for the operator thanks to its 1.20m fixed cab elevation improved access to the excavator is via a retractable ladder and a handrail along the entire upper structure to assure safe and easy access for the operator and maintenance personnel Access points are also equipped with timed LED lighting for safer entry/egress at the start of a shift/end of the day shovel flap opening via the joystick and semi-automatic flap closing the excavator is said to offer a very high level of operator comfort the R 980 SME also offers very rapid operational cycles thereby increasing efficiency and productivity Developed and manufactured by Liebherr-France SAS the 5.1 cubic metre capacity shovel was supplied with a level 3 wear package kit (the highest level) to withstand the abrasiveness of the materials it is handling Traineau say they opted for the Liebherr R 980 SME excavator because this model is particularly well suited to their granite quarrying operation The 104-tonne machine is used for various operations With total production of around 800,000 tonnes of aggregate per year Traineau are said to be more than satisfied with the R 980 SME and its low fuel consumption of 55 litres/h they confirm that the shovel attachment has allowed them to reduce cycle times and thus speed up dumptruck loading jobs events and articles direct to your inbox Subscribe Here Agg-Net is the ‘go-to’ website for key decision makers within the aggregates and recycling industries market reports and industry features provide an independent and informed voice for the industry Agg-Net is the official digital partner for Hillhead providing unrivalled coverage of our June event 7 Regent StreetNottinghamNG1 5BSUnited KingdomTel: +44 (0)115 941 1315