The new Liebherr L 566 wheel loader, part of construction machine manufacturer Liebherr’s 5.1 wheel loader family, is an upgrade of the previous 5.0 generation range, and benefits from significant performance improvements, such as being able to handle an increased tipping load, having the option of larger bucket sizes and coming with more engine power, thereby resulting in 25% less fuel burn per hour and a 15% increase in production.

Following its local introduction in late 2022, several units of the L 566 wheel loader are currently in operation at South African sites across applications that include quarrying, construction, contract mining and port handling, Liebherr-Africa earthmoving technology sales head Lavell Ruthman confirms.

Developed at Liebherr’s Austria-based Bischofshofen plant, which was dubbed the company’s “Technology Centre for Wheel Loaders”, the new range benefits from the company’s decades of experience in designing wheel loaders.

Central to the development of the new wheel loader series is the “voice of the customer”, Liebherr-Africa earthmoving GM Tendayi Kudumba comments.

The new L 566 wheel loader features Liebherr’s proven hydrostatic travel drive, which is well-known for its efficiency. The Liebherr driveline also achieves a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 25%, compared with older models.

The continuous tractive force, combined with an automatic limited-slip differential, prevents wheelspin, thereby increasing productivity, while reducing tyre wear by up to 25%.

In addition, given that fuel is a major cost driver for loading operations, this fuel efficiency reduces operating costs significantly, Liebherr claims.

While the other two models in the range – the L 550 and L 580 – benefit from larger and stronger axles, as well as increased operating weights, the L 556 retains the same axle as its predecessor, but benefits from a standard bucket capacity increase of 4%, with an increase from the previously used 4 m³ bucket to a new 4.2 m3 bucket, the company highlights.

With the new range, Liebherr has two lift arm versions on offer: the Z-bar kinematics – which come to the fore particularly in the lower lifting range and for their break-out force, and the industrial kinematics – which have been designed for working with heavy working tools such as high dump buckets and log grapplers.

Liebherr also offers the high lift arms, which are an extended version of the Z-bar kinematics, thereby offering the longest lift arms in the wheel loader segment that the L 556 fits into.

These longer lift arms ensure greater reach and increase productive loading procedures at greater heights, which is beneficial when loading railway wagons or lorries with high sides.

Liebherr reports that the working hydraulics of the wheel loaders have impressed local customers with their larger components and new electrohydraulic pilot control. This technology ensures responsive movements of the lift arms, independent of the size or weight of the working tool.

Further, Liebherr also offers a new, optional weighing device on the basis of the electrohydraulic pilot control.

This assistance system works automatically as a check scale and provides real-time information about the loading procedure. This data helps machine operators to fill dumpers with greater precision, within specified quantities and helps avoid overfilling.

The new range of wheel loaders also offers increased safety, owing to the electrohydraulic pilot control.

“The electrohydraulic pilot control enables operators to perform individual adjustments on the new wheel loaders. For example, they can set lift limitations and maximum tilt-out heights, thus reducing the risk of accidents in areas where space is restricted. The tilt-out speed can also be programmed to protect lift arm components and the installed equipment,” says Kudumba.

When designing the new wheel loader range, Liebherr paid particular attention to operator comfort, which the company says is a key parameter in enhancing productivity.

The clean lines on the rear, as well as the large glass surfaces in the cab, facilitate good all-round visibility. The new reversing camera, which is installed in a protected position in the engine bonnet, assists the machine operator with rear visibility, the company concludes.