Denham Metals boosts material handling capability with Liebherr.

Based in Bishop Auckland, Denham Metals has a relationship with Liebherr going back over 25 years. The company has recently purchased an LH 50 M material handler from Liebherr. This joins a smaller Liebherr machine: the LH 40 M material handler.

Bishop Auckland based Denham Metals has recently invested in another Liebherr material handler to support an increase in trade. The latest purchase, a 45 tonne LH 50 M material handler, has recently started service at the company’s head office alongside a smaller 38 tonne LH 40 M material handler.

The long-standing relationship between Denham Metals and Liebherr-Great Britain Ltd goes back over 25 years with Denham Metals taking one of the first A 904 handlers to enter service in the north-east of England.

Denham Metals currently operates three material handlers at its head office with one coming from a rival manufacturer. Managing Director Joseph Denham explains that longer delivery times and a very attractive deal had swayed them away from Liebherr machines. However, this latest purchase re-affirms Denham Metals’ relationship with Liebherr and the LH 50 M has been proving its worth in handling incoming material in the yard and loading containers with products bound for export.

The LH 50 M and the LH 40 M both benefit from a heavy-duty industrial chassis with centrally-mounted slew rings designed to offer superior balance and weight distribution. Each of the two machines is fitted with front and rear stabiliser legs complete with maintenance-free cylinders. And they both have solid tyres, a necessity in their working environment, with the smaller machine running on twins and the bigger LH 50 M running on large singles. The LH 50 M and the LH 40 M benefit from excellent ground clearance allowing them to safely move around the large stockpiles of material without the risk of damaging the running gear.

The latest Liebherr-made D934 engine has been fitted to both machines with the older LH 40 M meeting Tier 3B emissions regulations and the newer LH 50 M meeting Tier 4 emissions standards thanks to the addition of SCR technology. The 7 litre engine develops 211 HP at 1800 RPM and offers extremely low fuel burn figures averaging 16.5 litres per hour. Both handlers are fitted with hydraulically-adjustable cabins capable of taking the operator to a maximum height of 5.6 m above ground level. This feature is particularly useful when loading bulk trailers as the operator can ensure the trucks are filled to their capacity. Regular operators of the two machines are very complimentary about the Liebherr cab saying it is exceptionally well laid out and comfortable with excellent all-round vision. Both machines are fitted with Liebherr’s standard joystick steering system, which allows the operator to steer the machine via the proportional rollers on the joysticks. This system also means there is no steering column to the front of the cab, which further improves forward vision.

Both Liebherr material handlers have been specified with straight industrial booms and industrial dipper sticks giving them a reach of 15 m and 16.5 m and a pin height of 15 m and 17.5 m respectively. The machines are fitted with Liebherr’s 1.1 m3 capacity GM70 5-tine orange-peel grabs.

The Energy Recovery Cylinder (ERC), which is fitted to the main boom, sets the Liebherr machines apart from those of many other manufacturers. The ERC is installed between the two main boom hoist cylinders and is used to accumulate hydraulic pressure whenever the boom is lowered. This pressure is released when the boom is lifted, reducing the pump pressures needed to raise the boom. This release of energy allows the engine to work more efficiently and will reduce the machine’s fuel burn. The fitment of an ERC is becoming a popular option for purchasers of Liebherr material handlers as fuel saving figures of over 10 per cent can be achieved.

To enable Denham Metals to focus on its core business, the two new Liebherr material handlers have been purchased with a repair and maintenance servicing contract.

Associated Businesses

  • Liebherr-Great Britain Limited and Liebherr-Ireland are subsidiaries of Liebherr-International AG, providing national sales and after-sales product support for the Group's complete range of construction equipment throughout the UK and ...