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

  • New developments in bulldozers and graders
    February 7, 2017
    A number of new bulldozer and grader developments are now coming to market - Mike Woof reports Bulldozers and graders are often overlooked as earthmovers, with the focus all too often concentrating on excavators, wheeled loaders and ADTs. However, key manufacturers are rolling out new graders and bulldozers too, which are also benefiting from the latest low emissions engine technology as well as advanced telematics systems and improved cabs with better all-round visibility. Caterpillar’s 26tonne 14M3
  • Innovative earthmovers coming to market
    October 12, 2017
    A wide range of innovative earthmover solutions is now coming to market - Mike Woof writes Generally with major construction equipment exhibitions timed for the second quarter of each year, this is when manufacturers will roll out their latest earthmoving solutions. However 2017 has turned out to be something of an anomaly, with the major firms continuing to unveil new models. Firms have introduced new wheeled loaders, excavators, and dozers, although arguably, some of the most interesting developments
  • LiuGong closes Dressta deal
    March 21, 2012
    Chinese manufacturer LiuGong Machinery has finalised its agreement to acquire Polish firm HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) and its distribution subsidiary, Dressta. The agreement was signed by executives from both companies in Warsaw.
  • Earthmoving in advance – new technologies for shifting dirt
    February 9, 2018
    Earthmoving machine manufacturers are developing innovative new solutions for customers - Mike Woof reports. In the separate markets for excavators, wheeled loaders, graders and dozers, new models are being unveiled from several key firms. The excavator market is one of the most competitive and it is no surprise that some of the most innovative machines are being developed for this segment. Excavating One of the most significant excavator launches has been for the latest Hitachi hybrid model, which i