Limestone loading application demonstrates gains in energy efficiency,
mechanical availability, and reduction in total operating costs
Driven by the pursuit of operational efficiency in demanding applications, Híbria
Rental incorporated the LiuGong 856HE electric wheel loader into its fleet.
Operating under intensive conditions in calcitic limestone loading, the machine
has delivered consistent productivity gains, significant reductions in energy
costs, and high mechanical availability, establishing itself as a technically viable
solution for highly demanding industrial operations.
The machine was delivered in April 2025 and has since accumulated more than
4.600 operating hours, averaging approximately 420 hours per month under
continuous operation. The unit is dedicated to loading and dumping limestone
into a hopper, a material characterized by high abrasiveness, a tendency to
compact in humid environments, and significant particulate generation under
dry conditions.
Even under these conditions, the operational indicators demonstrated superior
performance compared to conventional diesel-powered equipment. Average
productivity reached 206,3 tons per hour, representing a 27,9% increase over
the competing machine evaluated in the same application. At the same time,
energy efficiency reached 5,8 tons per kWh, highlighting the suitability of the
electric solution for intensive operating cycles.
Another critical aspect observed was the significant reduction in direct operating
costs. The energy cost per ton of material handled was estimated at R$ 0,12,
representing a 72,7% reduction compared to the fuel cost associated with the
diesel-powered machine used for comparison. In addition, the electric
configuration eliminates components typically found in internal combustion
systems, such as fuel lines, intake filters, and engine lubrication systems,
contributing to a lower need for corrective interventions and reducing the time
required for preventive maintenance.
According to Rogério Pereira, Product Supervisor at LiuGong, the experience
reinforces the potential of electrified solutions in highly demanding operating
environments. “In severe applications, such as limestone loading, electric
technology demonstrates clear advantages in energy efficiency, mechanical
availability, and cost predictability. The simplification of systems associated with
the powertrain reduces the consumption of operating inputs and contributes to
greater reliability throughout the equipment’s lifecycle,” he explains.
In practice, the results were also clearly perceived by the customer’s operation.
“We operate in a highly demanding environment, with large material volumes
and continuous operating cycles. The 856HE exceeded our expectations in
terms of productivity and cost per ton of material handled. Reduced
maintenance downtime and operational stability were important differentiators
for the overall performance of the operation,” says Fábio Carneiro Notini,
Administrator of Híbria Rental.
The equipment was acquired following a field evaluation period under the Try
and Buy program, which allowed previously defined performance indicators to
be validated under real operating conditions. Throughout the evaluation, the
wheel loader maintained high availability, averaging 14,9 operating hours per
day, seven days a week, confirming the robustness of the solution in
continuous-production industrial environments.
Integration with productivity and electrification strategies
The results observed at Híbria Rental align with the technical discussions
promoted by LiuGong through customer engagement initiatives such as the Key
Account Experience, which highlights electrification as a strategic driver for
increasing operational efficiency and reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Studies conducted across different operations indicate that, when combined
with specialized operator training, electric equipment in this category can
achieve even higher productivity levels, with additional reductions in hourly
operating costs and improvements in operational sustainability indicators.
Based on the results achieved, the application of the 856HE electric wheel
loader in Híbria Rental’s operation demonstrates the technical and economic
viability of electrification in demanding industrial environments. The machine
has established itself as a competitive alternative for mining operations, bulk
mineral handling logistics, and high-utilization rental applications.
About LiuGong
LiuGong Machinery Corporation is a leading company in China’s construction
equipment manufacturing industry. Since building its first wheel loader in 1966,
LiuGong has evolved into one of the world’s fastest-growing global construction
equipment manufacturers, offering a full line of intuitive, heavy-duty machines
designed for customers who are constantly challenged to do more with less.
LiuGong provides opportunities for its employees, quality products and services
for its customers, financial success for its investors, and support for the
communities it serves.
The company’s journey began in 1958 with the arrival of 500 workers in the city
of Liuzhou. Today, LiuGong is a global success story, with more than 33 product
lines, 20 global manufacturing facilities, 16,000 employees, and over 500
dealers providing customers with the reliable equipment they need to get any
job done, anywhere in the world. All backed by local support.
About LiuGong Latin America
LiuGong Latin America (LGLA) was established in Brazil in 2008 and is a wholly
owned subsidiary of the LiuGong Group. Its operations encompass the sales
and servicing of construction equipment and attachments, financing solutions,
customer training, technical consulting, and other related business activities.
LiuGong’s portfolio includes wheel loaders, motor graders, road rollers,
backhoe loaders, excavators, rigid dump trucks, and aerial work platforms,
among other equipment. The company has been expanding its presence in
Brazil through investments in its manufacturing facility and training centers in
Mogi Guaçu (São Paulo State), as well as its commercial office in Campinas
(São Paulo State). In 2025, LiuGong further strengthened its presence in the
mining sector with the inauguration of an office in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais
State), expanding its team of professionals and enhancing the specialization of
its product portfolio.
Press Contact
MARKETING LIUGONG
marketing@liugongla.com
ADRIANA ROMA
adriana@haproposito.com.br
+55 (19) 9 9816-6272
