Liebherr expands engine partnerships

Manufacturer Liebherr has announced separate deals with producers Deutz and Kohler that extend its reach in the global off-highway and industrial engine markets.

In one deal, Deutz and Liebherr have said they plan a strategic alliance that would see Deutz sell Liebherr-produced diesel engines in the 200kW to 700kW power category.

The companies said the engines manufactured by Liebherr would be available to Deutz for series delivery from 2019. They are being developed for the EU Stage V, US Tier 4, China IV and EU Stage IIIA emissions standards and thus meet the future statutory requirements regarding exhaust emissions.

Deutz would be granted supply and service rights under the alliance, which it said it planned to sell under its own brand to its customers, including via its network of dealers.

In addition, the agreement would also see Deutz receive exclusive rights for the production of a Liebherr 9 litre engine in China.

And at the same time, the companies said an expansion in the use of Deutz engines in Liebherr's machines up to 150kW was also planned.

“The agreement between Deutz and Liebherr on the key points of their strategic alliance strengthens their long-standing and successful partnership. The two companies intend to draw up and sign contracts setting out the details of this strategic alliance soon,” the companies said.

Kohler deal

In a separate deal, Liebherr said it had co-developed a new line of G-Drive diesel engines with Kohler. It said this new range was developed to exclusively power the recently launched KD Series of Kohler and Kohler-SDMO diesel industrial generators.

In total, there are six engines within the new line, which deliver between 709kWm and 3608kWm standby power at 50Hz and between 891kWm and 4250kWm standby power at 60Hz. The new line is divided into two series – the 135 series and the 175 series – both containing three engines.

The companes said these new models also boasted high fuel efficiency, reduced emissions (meeting regulations in all markets), engine monitoring technology and a low noise and vibration combustion system.

Kohler and Liebherr said they initiated contact in 2008, and have since performed more than 50000 hours of durability testing on these engines.

Gebhard Schwarz, managing director of Liebherr-Component Technologies, said, “We will manufacture these engines in our brand new facility in Colmar, France as well as an extended facility in Bulle, Switzerland.

“The two excellent production sites use the most sophisticated manufacturing tools and assembly processes for large engines. We very much appreciate the teamwork with Kohler and look forward to the great results we anticipate achieving through this collaboration.”