New Liebherr LH 50 M material handler displayed at Bauma

Liebherr's new LH 50 M special purpose material handler was displayed recently at the 2013 Bauma event, which took place in Germany, in April. As an addition to the company's range of LH models, the LH 50 M, with its wheeled undercarriage, takes over from the successful A 934 C HD material handler. Its 140-kW (190-hp) Liebherr four-cylinder inline engine is also a new development, and complies with Stage IIIB/Tier 4i exhaust emission limits. 

Like the LH 60 M/C and LH 80 M/C, the LH 50 M has the ERC energy recuperation system as standard equipment. This was awarded the prize for innovation at the 2010 Bauma. Patented by Liebherr, it is a system that uses a third cylinder mounted on the boom and filled with gaseous nitrogen. When the boom and working attachments are lowered, this gas is compressed. During the next lifting movement the energy stored in the gas cylinder is added to the work performed by the two lifting cylinders, so that less power has to be expended to lift the load. The diesel engine’s output rating can be lower, and fuel consumption is therefore reduced. This innovative device makes working cycles smoother, more effortless and above all quicker. Plus, handling capacity is higher, and the machine can be operated economically.  

The LH 50 M on display at Bauma was a 9.60 m long angled industrial gooseneck boom and a 7.50 m long industrial dipper arm. To reduce the weight of the working equipment and achieve a corresponding increase in load capacity, Liebherr can also supply a lightweight dipper arm 7.50 m long. 

The versatile character of this material handler is enhanced still further by a range of add-on working attachments developed in-house by Liebherr. The successful GM 70C orange-peel grab is available for scrap metal handling, the GM 20B clamshell grab for bulk materials and the GM 20BH grapple for timber handling.   

All add-on working attachments can be attached and detached conveniently and effortlessly in a matter of seconds, without the driver having to leave the cabin, if the optional MH40 fully-automatic quick-change system is specified. This too enables productivity to be considerably boosted.