At the 2010 Bauma Liebherr is presenting a new generation of hydraulic rams designed specifically for mining machinery. These rams need effectively no maintenance and are notable for their reliability and long life. Among the new developments are a shock absorber for the new Liebherr T 282 C mining truck and a large ram weighing 3.7 metric tons for mining excavators.

New Liebherr shock absorbers are now used for the rear suspension of the Liebherr T 282 C mining truck, which has a maximum service weight of 600 metric tons. The shock absorbers have a nominal diameter of 425 millimetres and a stroke of 275 millimetres, and weigh 693 kilograms each. The tough operating conditions in open-cast mining impose severe loads on shock absorbers for mining trucks. Combined oil/gas damping absorbs the extremely high compression and rebound forces. The Liebherr shock absorber has a rated operating life of 60,000 hours and needs no maintenance for the first 15,000 hours of operation.

Another new development exhibited at the Bauma is a ram for use in the lifting gear of large mining excavators. To lift the excavator’s working equipment and bucket, two hydraulic rams, each weighing 3.7 t, are installed. They have a piston diameter of 360 mm and are 7,240 mm long when fully extended.