Liebherr R 978 SME Excavator Shows Low Fuel Use, High Precision

11 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Liebherr R 978 SME crawler excavator, weighing 78.5 tonnes, has demonstrated exceptional performance and fuel efficiency at the Beynon sand quarry. Engineered for heavy-duty excavation of abrasive rock, the machine operates with a customised 2 m³ reinforced bucket, developed in collaboration with Liebherr France SAS and sales partner Ets PIC.

Despite harsh conditions, operators benefit from a quiet, spacious cab and personalised settings, supported by hands-on training during commissioning. “What most impressed me was the machine’s precision. And the fuel consumption – at around 40 litres per hour, it’s very low,” said operator Cédric Rouison.

Part of Liebherr’s new 70- and 100-tonne crawler excavator range—including the R 972, R 978 SME, R 992, and R 998 SME—the model incorporates the patented Liebherr Power Efficiency (PE) system, reducing fuel consumption by 10–15 per cent. The Modetronic control system further enhances comfort and productivity by allowing operators to fine-tune hydraulic functions.

The ‘SME’ (Super Mass Excavation) designation highlights models designed for quarry operations, featuring reinforced undercarriages, enlarged counterweights, and powerful breakout forces. SAB, a long-term quarrying partner of Liebherr, praised the machines’ reliability, low fuel use, and the strong after-sales support of Ets PIC.

Infrastructure Urban

11 Sep 2025

BEST Expands Fleet with 17 New E-Buses, Launches Coastal Road Service

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has added 17 new 12-metre electric buses to its fleet, enhancing services across Mumbai. Some of these buses will operate on the newly launched AC route A-84, connecting Oshiwara Depot to Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherji Chowk (Museum) via the Coastal Road.The new buses, manufactured by Nagpur-based Mumbadevi Mobility Private Limited, were inaugurated at the Colaba depot by IAS officer Asheesh Sharma, BEST’s acting general manager. The Coastal Road route will include four new stops between Worli and Marine Drive.Equipped with modern a..

Tata Power and Tata Motors Launch Mega EV Charging Hub in MumbaI

On the occasion of World EV Day, Tata Power and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility inaugurated India’s largest TATA.ev MegaCharger hub, located near Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, within The Leela Mumbai Hotel premises.The facility is equipped with eight fast DC chargers of up to 120 kW and offers 16 charging bays, enabling 16 electric vehicles to charge simultaneously. This eliminates long wait times and ensures convenience for a wide mix of EV users, including private car owners, taxis, ride-hailing fleets, and logistics operators.The co-branded hub was inau..

Tata Motors to Acquire Iveco Group in EUR 3.8 Bn Deal

Tata Motors, a global automotive leader, has announced an agreement to acquire Iveco Group N.V., a European commercial vehicles and mobility major, in a deal valued at approximately EUR 3.8 billion. The move aims to establish one of the world’s most competitive and diversified commercial vehicle groups with strong global reach, product depth, and industrial capabilities.The proposed acquisition will be executed through TML CV Holdings PTE LTD or a new Dutch-incorporated subsidiary of Tata Motors, which will launch a recommended voluntary tender offer for all issued Iveco Group shares. The of..