Liebherr has won several design awards for its earth-moving machines.
The T46-7 telescopic handler and XPower L550 and L586 wheel loaders were successful in the ‘excellent product design’ category at the recently announced 2018 German Design Awards. This is the third such award for the company’s large wheel loaders.
The judges were won over by the striking and functional designs of the vehicles. A Liebherr spokesman, said, “For the telescopic handler, they were impressed by the optimal visibility and the dynamic appearance.
“The overall machine design was aimed at ensuring maximum visibility of the load at the
front, to give enhanced productivity, as well as to the side and rear, for maximum safety.
This was primarily achieved thanks to the very low pivot point of the telescopic boom,
as well as the sloping sides of the handler and an engine hood that follows the line of
sight.”
The tapered engine hood of the XPower vehicles also gives the driver maximum visibility toward the rear and increases safety in the immediate proximity of the wheel loader. Liebherr installs heavy components such as the engine right at the back of the rear end so that there is no need for any additional counterweights. This ideal weight distribution results in high tipping loads and an increased handling capacity per operating hour.
The spokesman added, “The XPower wheel loaders differ from conventional wheel loaders not only in their innovative technology but also in their design. The design development phase focused on a powerful appearance and particularly on functionality and user friendliness.”
The German Design Awards is an established and well-respected design competition, with over 5,000 submissions considered over a two-day judging session.
