Skip to main content

Tough duty cycle for LiuGong machines

The first SDLG wheeled loader sold into Southern Africa is still going strong, despite operating in tough working conditions. The LG958L machine has clocked over 5,000 working hours in an arduous application at a portside dry bulk facility in South Africa. The machine was supplied in February 2012 and continues to front operations at the portside bulk-handling facility in Durban, South Africa. The 16tonne wheeled loader is owned by South African Bulk Terminals (SABT) and is used to load and off-load the 2.
May 11, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The extraction operation is looking to expand and hopes to increase its LiuGong fleet
Off-highway machines from LiuGong Equipment are helping extraction operations in South Africa’s Kimberley Region in Cape Province. The heavy-duty construction equipment is being used to help the operations to minimise production costs and to maximise profits according to the firm.  


In a privately owned operation in Kimberley, all work except the screening of ore is undertaken on by 269 LiuGong equipment. From the start, a LiuGong B230 bulldozer removes material from the seam surface. Then a LiuGong 933E excavator digs out the seam to 2m deep and separates out large stones and gravel. The raw materials are transported by a LiuGong 856H wheeled loader to the fine selection process and for cleaning. Finally, the 856H removes the waste to landfill.

As of August, 2017, the extraction operation has a total of nine LiuGong machines; consisting of four 856H wheeled loaders, three 933E excavators, one B230 dozer and one 835H wheeled loader.

The units have delivered high utilisation rates of 95%, despite working long hours and the low fuel consumption, of the excavators in particular, have also helped to lower operating costs according to the customer. With the firm looking to increase its operations, it intends to increase the size of its machine fleet and says that it will be likely to buy more units from LiuGong in the future.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Compacting the soil
    February 8, 2012
    High productivity and value for money are two benefits claimed by the new generation of soil compactors - Mike Woof reports. The market for soil compaction machines looks to be growing more competitive as new manufacturers enter the sector. This is particularly noticeable now that Chinese firm LiuGong has moved into the sector. Meanwhile new design concepts are also allowing firms to develop much larger and more powerful machines than ever before. The choice for contractors is a wide one and manufacturers a
  • Powered up for low emissions
    October 14, 2015
    The evolution of the diesel engine continues as ever more sophisticated technologies come into use - Mike Woof writes A major focus for diesel engine suppliers is for the development of low emission technologies. Tough regulations are in force in North America and Europe with regard to emissions, a programme introduced to help reduce pollution from off-highway machines. These technologies are also being introduced in stages in other territories, with China now rolling out tougher regulations.
  • Latest innovations in GPS and machine control
    February 22, 2012
    Modern satellite technology is making life easier for everyone on the construction site and in the office. Most major equipment manufacturers are now integrating GPS machine control systems into the design of excavators, bulldozers, pavers, and motor graders. For stake-less work it is a major component for automatic grading, surveying, and excavating systems, with contractors and construction companies using GPS machine control systems to improve operations.
  • Sandvik machines help improve quarry output in Thailand
    June 6, 2016
    The Prachuap Khiri Khan region of Thailand is well known for producing high quality aggregates, with four quarries and six concrete plants in operation. A key producer is Tabsakae Granite, which now operates a complete mobile crushing and screening plant. The Sandvik Construction QJ341 jaw crusher, QH331 Hydrocone crusher and a QA451 triple deck Doublescreen are now delivering high production of quality aggregates. Tabsakae Granite operates a quarry and a concrete plant in the Prachuap Khiri Khan region