This article was originally published in the September 2010 edition of Aggregates Manager. To see the digital edition version, which includes photos, click here.

Supply Lines

Digging with the Big Boys

This selection of 70-ton and larger excavators can help increase the production level at any quarry.

by Kerry Clines, Senior Editor

Liebherr Construction Equipment

Liebherr’s R 964 C Litronic offers a 29-foot, 10-inch digging depth; 75,400-pound breakout force; an operating weight of 150,790 pounds; and a lift capacity of 25 feet over end and side. Liebherr Tool Control allows operators to easily change hydraulic tools and adjust pressure and flow rates.

Doosan Heavy Construction Equipment

Doosan’s soon-to-be-debuted DX700LC features a six-cylinder, 463-horsepower turbo-charged Isuzu diesel engine and an operating weight of 158,953 pounds with standard boom and arm, 35.4-inch double grouser shoes, and 4.32-cubic yard bucket. Standard bucket breakout force is 78,485 pounds; arm breakout force is 78,044 pounds. Maximum digging reach is 40 feet, 10 inches at ground level; maximum digging depth is 25 feet, 4 inches. Dump height is 27 feet. Optional buckets range from 3.27 to 5.89 cubic yards.

Increased fuel efficiency, more horsepower, and improved hydraulics add up to greater production with these excavators.

Liebherr Construction Equipment

Liebherr’s R 964 C Litronic offers a 29-foot, 10-inch digging depth; 75,400-pound breakout force; an operating weight of 150,790 pounds; and a lift capacity of 25 feet over end and side. Liebherr Tool Control allows operators to easily change hydraulic tools and adjust pressure and flow rates.

Case Construction Equipment

Case says its CX800B is ideally suited for applications requiring heavy muscle and long reach. The 178,575-pound machine features an electronically controlled, common rail, 15.7L Isuzu engine and is available in standard and mass-excavation configurations.

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar’s 156,043-pound 374D improvements include new buckets and a greater operating weight to boost loading and lifting capabilities, a stronger undercarriage, safety enhancements, and easier serviceability. The Cat C15 ACERT engine features electronic control, precise fuel delivery, and refined air management.

Komatsu

Komatsu says its PC800LC-8 Super Digger uses double-arm cylinders and an HD bucket cylinder to increase arm digging force by 19 percent and bucket digging force by 9 percent over a standard machine —  without sacrificing working range. The machine also features the Komtrax satellite monitoring system and on-board diagnostics.