Muskeg Quarry is an important source of high-quality limestone aggregates for the oil sands industry in Canada’s Alberta province. As the operator of this site, it is imperative that Hammerstone’s loading tools are not only capable of maximising material extraction but are also able to perform reliably in a 24-hour operation. This is why the company has chosen to work with R 9150s since 2018, when the first unit arrived at the site.
‘Over the past eight years, we’ve been impressed by the R 9150’s high production capacity, excellent digging power and fast cycle times. In fact, the machine has delivered the reliability and consistency needed to keep material moving. So, adding an additional unit to our fleet was an easy decision,’ says Bryan George, vice president and general manager, Hammerstone.
The Liebherr touch
In order for Hammerstone’s R 9150s to operate year-round, especially during the intense winter season where temperatures can get down to −35 °C, all three units are equipped with Liebherr’s optional Arctic Kits. These kits provide Arctic-rated fluids, heated mirrors, an Arctic-rated greasing system and the ability to preheat the machines to prevent hydraulic liquids from solidifying, metals becoming brittle and the machine being unable to start.
As well as this, Liebherr-Canada’s Fort McKay branch provides technical support for all three machines to ensure the highest possible mechanical availability.
‘Liebherr has a reputation for building robust machines that provide optimal performance regardless of the conditions they’re in,’ says Francis O’Flaherty, divisional director, mining, Liebherr-Canada. ‘But even the most durable of machines need servicing and repair every now and then. Having experienced personnel on hand to look after Hammerstone’s R 9150s when needed means we can keep operational disruptions to a minimum.’