Innovative Products

Robust Lovol FL958K Wheel Loader thrives in tough conditions

Toowoomba-based construction and agriculture equipment importer and distributor Equipment Specialists Australia has been hard at work in recent times, with the authorised Australian distributor for Lovol equipment adding to its high-quality portfolio of wheel loaders, introducing a number of Lovol K Series loaders to the local market.

Lawrence Perkins, Equipment Specialists Operations Manager, told EEM that family farming business Reardon Farms, which operates farms in both Queensland and New South Wales, has recently taken delivery of a Lovol FL958K wheel loader, primed to tackle a range of demanding applications.

As Lawrence noted, getting it right first time is a priority for businesses like Reardon Farms, which may be isolated and far from the technical support that metro-based operators can sometimes take for granted, and which require “tough gear that will handle the tough conditions”.

“It’s one of Australia’s largest cotton farms,” he explained. “It’s an amazing setup, with all the roads and laneways signposted, while every property has a map at the entrance.

“It also has a full in-house workshop and parts guy. It’s like its own standalone business, they are so big. There are a few planes that they use on the farms and more. It’s huge and really an amazing, professional setup.”

LOVOL FL958K LOADER A PRACTICAL CHOICE FOR REARDON FARMS
Reardon Farms draws on a long history in the farming sector, with owners Robert and Jennie Reardon starting the business in 1969, and presiding over its growth, which over the years has seen it branch out from its dryland origins to encompass both dryland and irrigated farming.

Today, Reardon Farms operates in Goondiwindi, Mungindi and Moree on the Queensland/New South Wales border, with its farms growing irrigated cotton, along with a variety of irrigated and dryland crops, in addition to running a cattle breeding program and a licensed feedlot.

In total, Reardon Farms owns and operates 11 farms, with the majority of its earthworks taking place on its Queensland irrigation farms, which were originally grazing properties and which have been developed to grow row-cropped and flood-irrigated cotton.

Lawrence noted that the FL958K loader was a practical choice for Reardon Farms, representing “the highest-class machine out of China, with the new K Series featuring redesigned, rounded modern bodywork and a larger cab”.

“While comparing with the big-name brands in style, function and performance, Lovol has avoided extra plastic and troublesome electronics that others have added, thus making the Lovol K Series machines more reliable and a lower cost to own,” he commented.

“Not to mention, no AdBlue, no DPF and no EGR. Now at least someone has listened to what the people who pay to keep Australia running actually want!”

LOVOL FL958K LOADER PRIMED TO GET THE JOB DONE
The FL958K weighs in at 18 t (operating weight) and has a 5.5 t rated load capacity, with it running a 180 kW Cummins 9.3 L QSB common rail Tier 3 engine, paired with a fully automatic change powershift transmission.

As noted by Lawrence, electrically controlled functions are kept to a minimum (there’s no hydraulics system ECU), paving the way for less downtime and effectively reducing the potential for costly repairs.

When it comes to the FL958K’s construction, it is robust and primed to get the job done in tough Australian conditions, with it additionally featuring:
• An extra-large ROPS and FOPS-certified lined and fully sealed cab (low noise and less vibration), with an air-suspension seat with arm rests and seat belt, and air-conditioning and heating.
• A patented composite reinforced centre pivot structure and bushings.
• Air-over-hydraulic four-wheel disc brake or multi-disc wet brake options.
• Danfoss steering valve.
• A bucket capacity of 3.6m3, 4.2m bucket lift height and boom lifting time of 5.7 seconds (with a choice of GP, rock, coal, grain and bulk buckets)
• Pilot joystick accuracy.
• A travel speed of 40km/h.
• Dimensions of 8.36m (length), 2.745m (width) and 3.38m (height).
• A one-piece fully opening engine cover, enabling easy access (with no bolted covers to remove).

LOVOL FL962K AND FL980K LOADERS DELIVER ALL-ROUND BENEFITS
Among the other K Series models introducedby Equipment Specialists into the Australian market are the FL962K and FL980K loaders, which like the FL958K are designed to thrive and get the job done in tough conditions.

The FL962K weighs in at 20 t (operating weight) and the FL980K tips the scales at 26 t (operating weight), with Lawrence – who told EEM that the 14 t (operating weight) FL940K loader will also soon be arriving locally – pointing to the all-round benefits on offer from both machines.

“They come with the world-renowned Danfoss hydrostatic drive system, as found in Liebherr, with huge savings in fuel consumption, tyre wear, brake wear and increased operator comfort,” he commented.

“With all the big-name brands looking to go this way in the future, Lovol is at the forefront, having owners and operators together in mind: providing big savings in costs for owners and comfort/less fatigue for operators, therefore increased production!

“It’s a win-win when buying Lovol, not to mention attractive pricing with less overheads from Equipment Specialists, which imports and distributes Lovol equipment throughoutAustralia.”

Supporting its equipment range, Equipment Specialists provides access to a range of parts and accessories (not only limited to the brands it stocks), which it sells along with other brands not commonly stocked in Australia, with it capable of sourcing items fast and at costeffective prices.

In addition to this, its trade-qualified specialists and experienced personnel support all the products it deals in, ranging from new equipment assembly and fit-outs to servicing and maintenance, with it providing both workshop and field services.

Along with its K Series loaders, Equipment Specialists offers the full range of H series loader models, ranging in operating weights from 12 t to 23 t, along with a selection of Lovol excavator models, spanning operating weights from 1.8 t through to 70 t.

“Equipment Specialists has a wealth of knowledge and experience in heavy construction equipment importing, assembly, spare parts, sales personnel and mechanics,” Lawrence told EEM. “This gives you the confidence to know that you are backed to the highest level.”

Send this to a friend