Liebherr R 960 SME excavator excels in global quarrying applications

With its stability and what is said to be the highest breakout forces on the market, the R 960 SME excels with particularly high productivity compared with its predecessor version. With its large bucket volume of 3,7 m³, it is ideally suited to loading dumper trucks in the 30 to 45 tonne weight range.

The excavator, developed and produced at Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar, France, has been setting the global benchmark in the 60-tonne (t) excavator segment since 2012. The R 960 SME has been in use in quarries and mining operations around the world for almost 10 years. The R 960 SME also impresses with its low fuel consumption, which can be accessed online via the fuel calculator.

Liebherr’s SME crawler excavators are designed for quarry applications. Four models ranging from 44 to 102 t have been developed for the world market. These variants are equipped with reinforced undercarriages into which components from the larger models of the standard series have been integrated. On the R 960 SME, these are components of the 70 t standard model R 966. The same principle applies for the counterweights.

This allows the use of larger buckets without compromising the stability of the machine. Thanks to its special kinematics of the working equipment and specifics cylinders, the machine offers exceptional digging and breakout forces that are unparalleled in this machine category.

Overall, all these factors increase the performance and profitability of the machine. As with all Liebherr crawler excavators from 14 to 100 t operating weight, machine operators can choose between four different working modes. The hydraulic and engine power can be adapted to the operating conditions to achieve either maximum performance and productivity during difficult applications or a highly economical mode of operation.

The R 960 SME has a spacious driver’s cab equipped with a host of features to guarantee operator comfort and safety. These include continuous automatic air conditioning and heating and a large 9” display as standard. The machines is available with bullet-proof windscreen and roof window.