When it comes to using Liebherr equipment, a NSW-based piling specialist has achieved an impressive list of firsts.
The CF Group has earned itself a reputation as a specialist in the design and construction of a wide range of shoring walls and foundation piles for supporting high-rise buildings.
The company provides complete basement solutions, offering a range of services that streamline the construction process.
These include foundation works, project management, and ground anchoring, all delivered with an emphasis on safety and innovative design.
Recent projects highlight the diverse range of work the company undertakes, including shoring for a six-level basement on the Gold Coast, turnkey excavation and piling at Bondi, foundation piling for a Sydney school, and constructing a secant pile wall shaft for the tunnel boring machines at the new Western Sydney Airport.
With a track record like this, it’s no surprise that CF Group only uses only top-tier equipment to ensure every project is handled with maximum efficiency.
Earthmoving Equipment Magazine chatted to CF Group Managing Director Tony Derham to find out more about the equipment brand that helps the business move the earth and drive the piles.
“We started back in 1991 when I decided to get into piling. We have operated in most states but primarily NSW and Queensland,” Tony said.
“Since those early beginnings, the company has grown up to 100 staff and over 20 excavators and 15 piling rigs.”
CF Group has a clear affinity for Liebherr, with the company using a whole range of models for a wide variety of purposes.
“We have purchased 10 new excavators from Liebherr’s earthmoving equipment division,” Tony said.
“The excavators include the new generation of crawlers: R 920 G6 Compact, R 922 G8, the R 926 G6 (two machines) and the R 938 G8.
“We moved to Liebherr excavators after having a lot of reliability issues with another brand of machines.
“Then, for piling we use six large Liebherr piling rigs and a HS duty cycle crawler crane : an LRB 355, three LRB 255, two LB 36 and an HS 845 crane. We also have several Liebherr THS 110 concrete pumps on tracks.”
In fact, the CF Group was one of the first businesses to import the LRB 255 into Australia, and the first to bring in the larger LRB 355.
“We purchased our first LRB 255 to install 31-metre sheet piles in Dee Why,” Tony said.
“This had never been done before and we used the experience and tooling from a similar site done in Leipzig, Germany.
“The LRB 255s have clocked more than 12,000 hours each and they’re still going strong.
“The drill rigs work very hard and have proven to be real workhorses. The equipment can do many types of piling the other brands can’t.”
Indeed, when it comes to Liebherrs, CF Group was involved in a number of Australian firsts. Apart from the piling rigs, the business also was the first to purchase the Liebherr THS110 concrete pumps, an LB 36-410 heavy duty rig (in 2013), and a PR 776 dozer for a civil job outside of the mining sector.
The PR 776 is one of the largest in Liebherr’s dozer line-up, and is widely used in industries that require heavy material handling, where it can move large volumes of overburden or assist in site clearing and levelling.
There’s no doubt that the reliability and performance of Liebherr machines are what make them the preferred choice for CF Group.
But while these machines are essential to the company’s operations, Tony said another compelling reason to use Liebherr is the excellent service and backup from the company team for parts.
“The team is always helpful if there’s any unexpected faults,” he said.
Tony said the affiliation with Liebherr was set to grow stronger in the future, with the acquisition of another crane, a few more larger excavators, and some extra concrete pumps on the cards.
Liebherr Generation 8 crawler excavator – A look into the future
Liebherr completely revised the basic concept of the machines in order to offer customers even higher-performance and more comfortable products.
The highlights of the new crawler excavator generation include the higher engine power, the heavier counterweight for higher bucket capacities and minimal fuel consumption.
Other innovations are the boom concept with modified head for better boom forces and the optimized load curve, which leads to fuel savings.
Crawler excavators from Liebherr are available with operating weights of up to 100 tonnes in the earthmoving sector.
Larger crawler excavators with operating weights of more than 100 tonnes fall into the mining sector.
Crawler excavators show their strength in rough terrain and in larger construction projects where considerable amounts of earth have to be moved.
The R 922 Compact is a versatile and compact model for lighter earthmoving tasks and urban construction.
The R 924 and R 926 mid-sized models are ideal for general construction and infrastructure projects.
The R 930 to R 938 larger excavators offer greater power and reach for quarrying, material handling, and more demanding earthmoving tasks.
- Performance and power
Liebherr’s Generation 8 models are equipped with high-performance engines that meet the latest emissions standards, including EU Stage V and Tier 4 Final, without compromising on power or fuel efficiency.
These engines provide enhanced digging forces, faster cycle times, and improved productivity.
Depending on the model, power outputs range from 130 to 400 kW, making them suitable for light to heavy-duty operations.
- Improved hydraulic system
The hydraulic system in the Generation 8 series has been significantly optimised.
Liebherr’s advanced hydraulic control allows precise and smooth operation, enhancing machine responsiveness, while the intelligent power management system automatically adjusts the hydraulic power output based on the load, ensuring efficient use of energy and minimising fuel consumption.
This also reduces wear on hydraulic components, extending the excavator’s lifespan.
- Fuel efficiency and sustainability
The combination of efficient engines, advanced hydraulics, and Liebherr’s unique ECOmode function allows for substantial fuel savings.
The ECOmode adjusts engine performance to match the specific demands of a task, providing maximum efficiency during lighter work while maintaining full power when needed for more intensive applications.
- Durability and longevity
The undercarriages, booms, and arms are reinforced for maximum strength and longevity, ensuring they can withstand tough working conditions.
The excavators are also designed with easy service access, making regular maintenance simpler and reducing downtime.
Wear-resistant materials and components add to the longevity of the machines, even under high-stress conditions.
- Customisation
Each machine can be customised with a wide range of attachments, including various bucket types, hydraulic breakers, grapples, and demolition tools, making them highly versatile for different tasks.
Additionally, Liebherr provides tailored equipment packages to meet specialised requirements in industries like quarrying, material handling, and construction. These attachments can be quickly swapped out using Liebherr’s hydraulic quick coupler system, enhancing efficiency and flexibility on job sites.
Liebherr PR 776 Litronic dozer – The world’s biggest hydrostatic dozer
Liebherr mining dozers rip, push, stockpile, clear and reclaim in mines all around the globe.
But it’s also suited for quarries and large- scale infrastructure projects, where reliability and power are critical, as in CF Group’s case.
- Size and power
The PR 776 is a heavyweight machine, falling into the 70-ton class, with an operating weight of around 71,800 – 73,189 kg. It’s powered by a Liebherr 12-cylinder V12 diesel engine that delivers 768 horsepower (565 kW, ISO 9249), giving it the muscle needed for the most demanding tasks.
- Advanced drive system
One of its standout features is the hydrostatic drive system, which sets it apart from many other dozers in its class.
The hydrostatic transmission ensures optimal power distribution to the tracks, providing better control, less fuel consumption, and reduced wear and tear on the machine.
This system allows for precise and smooth operation, even in challenging terrain, with the ability to continuously adjust speed and direction without gear changes.
- Litronic system
The “Litronic” in the name refers to Liebherr’s intelligent control system.
This technology optimises the performance of the machine by adjusting engine output and hydraulic power as per the task’s requirements.
It helps operators work more efficiently by providing real-time data and feedback on machine functions. The system also includes automated assistance features to make operation smoother and safer.
- Fuel efficiency
The PR 776 is designed with a focus on fuel efficiency. Its advanced engine management system, combined with the hydrostatic drive, reduces fuel consumption compared to conventional mechanical systems.
Liebherr’s design also emphasises low engine speeds, further reducing fuel usage and extending component life.
- Operator comfort and safety
The cab of the PR 776 is designed for maximum operator comfort: spacious, with a modern, ergonomic layout, featuring intuitive controls and high-visibility windows.
Noise levels inside the cab are low, contributing to a more comfortable working environment for long shifts.
Additionally, the machine is equipped with safety features like rollover protection (ROPS) and fall-over protection (FOPS), ensuring operator safety in tough working conditions.
- Blade and rip tool options
The PR 776 comes with several blade configurations, allowing it to be tailored to specific tasks.
Common blade types include the semi-U blade and U-blade, which are ideal for pushing large volumes of material.
The dozer can also be equipped with a ripper at the rear for breaking up hard soil or rock, adding to its versatility.
Liebherr piling rigs
The Liebherr LB series of piling rigs has long been a staple in deep foundation construction, known for its power, versatility, and advanced technology.
These machines are suited for various drilling applications, including Kelly drilling, continuous flight auger (CFA), full displacement drilling (FDD), and double rotary techniques, making them essential for complex infrastructure projects like high-rise buildings and large-scale industrial developments.
The LRB 255, LRB 355 and LB 36 models that CF Group uses vary in torque and power, with the latter being one of the most powerful models in the range, ideal for drilling large-diameter boreholes in hard ground conditions and capable of drilling down to depths of 100m.
For more information, visit www.liebherr.com.au