Excavator extraction

Drilling and blasting used to be the main method of extracting limestone atElggis Quarry near Netstal, Switzerland but investigation showed that an excavator could effectively carry out the same work in most areas. Quarry operator Netstal AG, which produces 325000 tonnes of lime, gravel and aggregate from the Elggis site each year, asked Liebherr for help in finding a suitable machine for the job.

Liebherr’s solution was a 55,5 tonne R 954 C SHD excavator fitted with a 7,6 m gooseneck boom, a 2,9 m stick and a hydraulic quick coupler. The machine is powered by a Stage IIIA compliant 240 kW Liebherr engine to deliver the high digging and break out forces needed in the quarry.

The excavator has been supplied with a 3 m³ rock bucket and ripper tooth, and can also be fitted with a hydraulic breaker to break up oversized boulders. To protect the machine and its operator, protective covers for the hoist and bucket cylinders, cab rock guard and armoured glass windscreen have also been fitted.