Earthmoving Machinery, Liebherr, Track Loaders

Liebherr on point for JMP

 

For the past few years, Sydney-based JMP Excavations has built up a reputation for providing a wide range of quality wet and dry hire equipment for earthworks projects of all types.


The range of equipment is comprehensive, including dozers, drotts, excavators, tipper trucks, and dump trucks, enough to meet all earthmoving and commercial excavation needs.

And of the machinery in JMP’s arsenal, the majority comes from the Liebherr factory: a testament indeed to the quality of the products made by the German company.

Earthmoving Equipment Magazine caught up with JMP director Jerry Phillips to chat about the appeal of the Liebherr products and why they hold a special place in the fleet.

“We specialise in plant hire and cover pretty much the whole of NSW,” Jerry said.

“We try to stay local as much as possible, but we’ll go where the work is, we don’t discriminate on who we service.

“So we do jobs for local mums and dads who maybe want a motocross track built for their son or daughter, for example, to a lot of the bigger guys doing the big subdivisions in the area.

“We do a lot of Tier 1 work, a lot of rail projects. JMP has supplied equipment for the Western Sydney airport project, and we’ve been there for about 18 months now.

“We’re doing all the finished work along the runway, landscape preparation and stuff like that. At the busiest stage, we had five machines on that job and now there are two remaining there as it starts to wind up.”

To provide quality service and continued support from clients, Jerry said it was crucial to use equipment that performed to highest expectations and that didn’t malfunction.

“It’s imperative as the business continues to grow,” he said.

“In the beginning, we had a lot of small, older equipment which broke down a lot, causing us stress and costing us a lot of money.

“As well, we were letting down our clients, who need efficient machines to be able to meet their deadlines.”

Then the fateful day came when Jerry was introduced to a Liebherr track loader: the LR 614.

“This was a purely opportunity-based purchase, as at the time there were no other drotts for sale. I had been operating one for a friend on weekends and I really liked it,” Jerry said.

“He offered it to me and I quickly snapped it up.”

The LR 614 is part of Liebherr G4 crawler loaders, and quickly proved itself at JMP for its power, agility and innovation.

But what also swayed Jerry to Liebherr was the quality of service that he received.

“Liebherr really looked after us. The service was unreal,” he said.

“As it was an old machine, it was out of warranty. And we didn’t have an account with them or anything, but they chatted with us and helped service the equipment when it was needed.

“And then so when it came time to buy another machine, we didn’t even look anywhere else.”

JMP moved on next to an LR 624. “That was a great machine. At that time, we needed a bigger machine,” Jerry said.

“Again, it was a used machine and out of warranty, but Liebherr looked after us.

“So then, as the business grew and started looking at dozers and newer equipment, there was only one brand we wanted.”

The PR 726 G8 dozer makes light work of the heaviest terrain.

Currently, JMP boasts seven Liebherrs for hire, a mix of loaders, dozers, diggers and trucks.

“We’ve still got the LR 614, which is currently undergoing a complete rebuild. That’s got 16,000 hours and still going strong,” he said. “We have a Generation 8 LR 626 loader to complement it.

“The three dozers are the PR 716, 726 and 736 models, and they’re just absolutely fantastic performers. We’re currently considering pulling the trigger for a PR 756, which is like a D8 equivalent.

“On the excavator front, we have the 14-tonne R 914, which features a powerful diesel engine and particularly high break-out forces. It is a very, very good machine and very reliable.

“Then we’ve got the TA 230 30-tonne dump truck, known as the Rolls Royce of dump trucks.”

Jerry said apart from the service, there were several other factors which attracted JMP to Liebherr machines.

“Their price is always pretty good. Obviously they look after us fairly well on the price at the minute, as we spent a lot of money with them,” he said.

“They obviously know that they’ve got that commitment from me for their brand. The relationship that we have is very good.

“But the standout thing for me is the fuel efficiency of the machines.

“In the PR 736 dozer for example, at full tilt it’s usually using like 18 litres an hour, which is 180 litres in a 10-hour day. That’s like running on air.

“Many other brands don’t even come close to the fuel efficiency, which in turn obviously helps our bottom line, as much as it does the environment.

“It also lets us tender competitively for jobs because with better fuel efficiency, our rates can be lower.”

Then of course there are the basic operations of the machines themselves.

“The operability and hydrostatic operations: they’re very smooth to operate. Very powerful,” he said.

“And the comfort is unmatched. You put anyone in a Liebherr cabin and they’re all going to say the same thing about the operator comfort.

“It’s just on point there. Liebherr definitely nailed it with the comfort.”

Jerry said he communicated regularly with Liebherr’s Earthmoving and Material Handling division.

“I chat with them pretty much daily, even if it’s just to chinwag,” he said.

“The Liebherr sales manager Tommy Matijasko is great and very approachable,” he said

“If we have a problem, we’ll bring it to his attention. He’s always got our backs. There’s always that support there.

“He makes sure they always do the right thing. If we experience a breakdown or require replacement parts, we simply contact Tommy, and the Liebherr team will address the issue immediately.

“If a machine fails during lunchtime, it is almost certain that it will be repaired by the following morning.

“Liebherr is highly proactive in evaluating available parts and ensuring that machinery is quickly restored to optimal function.

“The best thing with me there is that they completely understand that when it comes to my business, if we’re not working, we are not making money.

“Liebherr is very proactive with getting things sorted.

“I’m very happy with them and we’ll continue to be back for more machines in the future.”

For more information: visit www.liebherr.com.au

JMP’s LR 626 G8 Litronic crawler loader.

 

MACHINE OVERVIEW

LR 626 G8 Litronic crawler loader
Operating weight: 16,460-19,360 kg
Bucket capacity: 1.50-1.80 m3
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 110 kW/150 hp
Engine output (SAE J1349): 110 kW/147 hp
Travel speed: 0.00-10.00 km/h

PR 716 G8 crawler tractor
Operating weight: 13,300-15,800 kg
Blade capacity: 2.92-3.30 m3
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 97 kW/132 hp
Engine output (SAE J1349): 97 kW/130 hp
Travel speed: 10.00 km/h

PR 726 G8 crawler tractor
Operating weight: 17,500-20,800 kg
Blade capacity: 3.33-3.87 m3
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 125 kW/170 hp
Engine output (SAE J1349): 125 kW/168 hp
Travel speed: 11.00 km/h

PR 736 G8 crawler tractor
Operating weight: 21,200-25,500 kg
Blade capacity: 4.10-5.56 m3
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 160 kW/217 hp
Engine output (SAE J1349): 160 kW/214 hp
Travel speed: 11.00 km/h

TA 230 Litronic G8 dump truck
Empty vehicle weight: 24,600 kg
Payload: 28,000 kg
Max. dump body capacity: 18.10 m3
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 265 kW/360 hp
Travel speed forward: 57.00 km/h
Travel speed backward: 16.00 km/h

R 914 G6 Compact Litronic
Operating weight: 14,750-16,750 kg
Backhoe bucket capacity: 0.32-0.80 m3
Tail radius: 1550 mm
Emission stage: Tier 4f
Engine output (ISO 9249): 90 kW/122 hp

 

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