Liebherr has introduced an adaptive lighting system for the XPower wheel loaders that uses LED light sensors that react to the positioning of the loader arms when working at night and re-configure lighting systems to ensure that the working area is always evenly lit.
When the front equipment is raised, for example, the main headlights dim to minimise glare off of the steel machine parts or presence of shadows on the drop sides of vehicles. The overall combination of lights provides significantly more light both when the front equipment is lowered and raised.
Another important change is the incorporation of an additional LED headlamp on the front of the vehicle that helps to maximise the lighting conditions when the front equipment is raised. There are also four dimmable working lights along the top edge of the cab and two main front headlights.
In addition to the adaptive working lighting, Liebherr has launched keys with remote control access for the XPower wheel loaders that allows the machine operator to lock and unlock the cab remotely, and upon being unlocked lights up the cabin interior and entry area prior to the approach of the driver.
Liebherr states that poor lighting conditions in work areas present wheel loader operators with significant challenges — particularly in the case of operations underground, at twilight or at night — and that its adaptive lighting developments addresses these issues, improving safety and comfort for drivers.
With conventional lighting systems, machine operators have to compromise when using the headlights. When using full beam, for example, light reflects off the steel machine parts or on the drop sides of trucks, creating glare and shadows, and a deterioration in visibility that can place a strain on the operator. Liebherr’s system eliminates this compromise.
The system can be ordered with either metal halide or LED lights, though the latter provide better light output and lower energy consumption than conventional headlights, while also provide a longer service life, increasing the wheel loader’s productivity.
In April 2017, Liebherr also celebrated the production of its 50,000th wheel loader – an L566 XPower painted in custom livery for a German customer – as well as the anniversary of its XPower series of wheel loaders.
