Liebherr shows new drilling rig

At a joint world premiere – along with its new HS 8070.1 duty cycle crawler crane and the LR 1200.1 Unplugged and LR 1250.1 Unplugged crawler cranes – Liebherr unveiled its new combined piling and drilling rig, the LRB 23.

The machine boasts a 600kW engine, giving it the power, says the company, to undertake all common deep foundation applications.

The rig’s compact design means it can be transported as a single unit, simplifying conventional road transfer between jobsites. On a flatbed, the machine’s height is approximately 3.6m, while its width is approximately 3m and minimum length just 19.7m.

Liebherr says the machine’s capacity to withstand high torques allows it to undertake Kelly drilling – unique for a machine of this size.

The rig’s leader travel range is 23m in a single pass and it can drill to a maximum depth of 72.3m and a maximum diameter of 2.9m when Kelly drilling.

The LRB 23’s operating weight is between 73t and 79t, reduced to between 39.1t and 60.4t for transportation.

On board technology in the new rig includes ground pressure visualisation, with the system able to calculate the machine’s current ground pressure in real time, comparing it with pre-calculated safety limits for the site.

Inside the cab, and across all of the newly-released models, Liebherr promises reduced noise, panoramic views and enhanced operator comfort.

As well as having a new livery, the design of the LRB 23 benefits from extra safety features, including improved railings and platforms.