Electric Crawler Excavator Spotlight: Liebherr R 920 G8-E
Liebherr Unveils Its First Battery Electric Crawler Excavator
Liebherr, a renowned manufacturer in the construction industry, has taken a significant step towards decarbonizing mines by introducing its first battery electric crawler excavator, the R 920 G8-E. This innovative machine is a result of a successful collaboration with Fortescue, where an ultramassive R9400 mining excavator was converted to battery electric as a proof of concept.
The R 920 G8-E is built to be powertrain agnostic, similar to other construction equipment, offering the same basic vehicle with different power options. In this case, the internal combustion engine has been replaced with an electric drive motor.
This electric excavator is suitable for building sites that require low noise levels and avoid exhaust gas emissions. It generates the same output as a diesel machine in the same category, making it a viable alternative for many projects.
One of the standout features of the R 920 G8-E is its high capacity li-ion battery, capable of 150 kW DC fast charging. This means that it can be charged during shift changes if needed, ensuring minimal downtime.
Fortescue has used the converted Liebherr excavator to move millions of tons of dirt and has ordered several more, demonstrating the machine's efficiency and reliability.
Liebherr's new control cab philosophy for the R 920 G8-E is called INTUSI, which stands for INTuitive USer Interface. This innovative control system is designed to provide a highly customizable operator interface that can be used across different types of machinery, significantly flattening the learning curve on job sites.
Key features of INTUSI include haptic feedback, optical feedback, functional safety, hand detection, display navigation, and ergonomic adjustments. These features improve operational efficiency and user comfort on Liebherr job sites by integrating innovative feedback and safety mechanisms tailored to operator needs.
INTUSI also provides operators with a highly customizable interface that can follow them from asset to asset, enhancing productivity and familiarity across different machines.
Liebherr's electric drive motor excavator is expected to be the first of many such machines from the brand, as they continue to invest in new technology to achieve their goal of decarbonizing mines.
- The R 920 G8-E, Liebherr's new electric drive motor excavator, could power electric vehicles, thus contributing to the expansion of green energy sources.
- With the growing popularity of gadgets requiring less exhaust gas emissions, Liebherr's low-noise, battery-powered excavator could be a valuable asset in quiet, controlled environments like sports arenas.
- The advanced technology embedded in Liebherr's INTUSI controller, such as haptic feedback, hand detection, and ergonomic adjustments, could revolutionize the use of technology in various sectors, including gaming devices and virtual reality equipment.
