Liebherr is entering the 24.4 to 25.7 tonne railroad excavator size class with the introduction of the RE 25 M Litronic.
Making its debut at bauma, the railroad excavator is equipped with the proven 163 hp engine of the A 922 Rail. As well, its unique hydraulic system has also been adopted.
In addition to the proven components, the new RE 25 M Litronic has several innovations that make the machine the best solution in its weight class. The small tail swing radius of 1.57 metres stands out, ensuring the rear of the machine remains within the clearance profile when swinging. This increases safety and enables Liebherr to open new markets with this requirement. The machine is equipped with a completely new, comfortable double cab, including the intuitive INTUSI operating concept.
Furthermore, several new assistance systems are installed in the RE 25 M, such as the 2D machine control system or the person detection system, which are available for the first time in the new railroad excavator.
Undercarriage concept
Liebherr is introducing a new undercarriage on the RE 25 M, which will be standard in all future rail machines. The new rail guide system (patent pending) sets the course for the future. Thanks to the hydrostatic rail wheel drive, the railroad excavator can travel in the excavated state (category 9A).
As well, the RE 25 M can lower itself onto the tracks with the road tires and generate the necessary traction with the tires on the rail (category 9C). This means the RE 25 M can not only work and drive in one position, but also (where permitted) work in the lowered position and drive in the raised position, which avoids damage to the rail infrastructure. This is made possible by a completely redesigned storing and oscillating system for the rail guide system.
The oscillating axle is also adjustable. When the RE 25 M is in use, the oscillating axle locks to ensure a stable footing. When driving, the oscillating axle is open, which delivers optimal traction.
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Thanks to the newly developed rail axle, the machine has a drawbar pull of 50 kN and, with the appropriate country-specific approval, can reach travel speeds of up to 40 km per hour. In an emergency, the RE 25 M can be towed at up to 60 km per hour.
As an option, the undercarriage of the RE 25 M can be equipped with the innovative, centrally mounted two-point stabilizer to achieve higher loads. However, the undercarriage remains compact, which means visibility in the vicinity of the machine is not restricted and work can be completed at close range. Thanks to the kinematics (patent pending), the innovative stabilizers remain close to the machine even when extended, hardly widening it at all.
This also makes it possible to use the stabilizers in confined construction site conditions.
Maintenance-friendly design
In addition to the small tail swing radius, new designs on the RE 25 M’s uppercarriage ensure the machine is easy to maintain. Despite the short tail swing radius, access to the uppercarriage is possible behind the cab. The design of the counterweight also contributes to the machine’s maintenance-friendly design.
The maintenance flaps are integrated into the counterweight and ensure optimal access to the hydraulic pump during maintenance. The counterweight can be easily removed for major maintenance. The new exhaust gas treatment system is located above the engine and can be folded up for maintenance.
New double cab
The new storing of the double cab with the pilot seat on the upper carriage increases the comfort for the driver. The RE 25 M offers a comfort seat as standard and has a completely new door system. This enables the doors to open towards each other and swing around the B-pillar. Thanks to the INTUSI adaptive operating concept, the previous control panel on the steering column below the steering wheel is no longer required. In the future, this will be integrated into the INTUSI display, so there will be no restrictions in the field of vision.
Proven components
The innovative hydraulics concept of the new machine includes a Liebherr double variable displacement pump with independent regulating circuits and a flow rate of 2 x 220 litres per minute. This means that powerful hydraulic attachments can be operated independently of the working and driving movements of the Liebherr rail-road excavator.
In addition, a second high pressure circuit offers the option of directly controlling three hydraulic functions for special attachments. Thanks to the railroad excavator’s 163 hp engine, the machine achieves a high working speed with the usual fluid work movements.
The new LikuFix 33-9 has been specially developed by Liebherr for railroad excavators and adds further couplings to the fully automatic LikuFix quick coupling system. The expansion of the couplings to include a second high pressure circuit enables the use of hydraulic attachments such as packing tools in rail construction, Liebherr parallel grippers or Liebherr stick extensions. The LikuFix fully hydraulic quick coupling system enables the attachments to be changed quickly and safely from the operator’s cab.
New nomenclature
With its new product designation, the new RE 25 M Litronic emphasizes the importance of the rail machines for the Liebherr site in Kirchdorf.
With the new name, Liebherr is highlighting the railroad excavator as a separate product line, distinguishing it from the wheeled excavators and giving it greater emphasis.
RE stands for rail excavator, the number indicates the operating mass and ‘M’ stands for the wheeled undercarriage. All future railroad excavators will follow this designation.
The A 922 Rail and A 924 Rail already available on the market will continue to operate under their familiar names.
