Liebherr L 556 - Manual (Page 33)

Quarrying // 33
His drivers agree with him. “Initially I found the driving response
of the machine difficult to command due to the hydrostatic
system. But now I find it efficient and reliable,” explains Jean-
Louis Cheminet. Pascal Larpin quickly got used to his new
machine. He especially appreciates the comfort in the cab and
the simple changeover from a standard steering wheel to steering
with a quarter turn. Hervé Goutron was already familiar with the
hydrostatic drive. He attaches great value to the fluid and sensitive
controls and the great stability that counter the development of
fatigue. “And if necessary, the technician from Solomat is close by.”
“When I was planning the renewal of my fleet of machines, the
R 960 SME had just been launched,” Christian Mazière
remembers. “Compared to the R 956 HD, its components have
been greatly reinforced, and it was launched at exactly the right
moment.” Responding to customer wishes is also important.
“I requested two improvements: an HDV backhoe bucket with
3.55 yd³ and side catwalks to make it easier to service the
excavator. I had to fight to get the backhoe bucket, but compared
to its competitors it makes a vast difference in productivity.”
The result was better than expected
In order to justify the additional cost of his choice of machine to
the company management, Christian Mazière conducted an
investigation. “The excavator is a decisive factor for productivity.
The size of the R 960 SME, its power and its speed when loading
trucks, enabled my operation to deliver more tons per day at
lower cost per ton. The investment in the R 960 SME has
paid off. The end result is even better than expected.” After 1,000
operating hours, the operations manager speaks highly of the
machine.
Quarrying in profile: Ambazac and Montebras
“The R 960 SME allows my
operation to deliver more tons
per day at lower cost per ton.”
Christian Mazière, director of the feldspar
quarry at Montebras