Whitnell Plant selects Liebherr dozer for earthworks efficiency

The family-run contractor upgraded its fleet to improve versatility, grading accuracy, and operator comfort across civil engineering and remediation projects.  www.liebherr.com Whitnell Plant operates in bulk earthworks and civil engineering, with a long-standing focus on motor scrapers and traditional earthmoving methods. As a small, family-run business, equipment investments are closely evaluated for their ability to deliver measurable operational value. In early 2021, the company identified the need for a new crawler dozer to complement its existing fleet. The machine had to perform multiple roles, including fine trimming and heavy pushing, while remaining efficient and comfortable for extended shifts on site. Evaluating options and selecting the technical solution To inform the purchase decision, Whitnell Plant arranged side-by-side trials between machines from Liebherr and another major manufacturer. The assessment focused on fuel economy, performance under load, and operator comfort. Following these trials, the Liebherr PR 736 G8 was selected. According to Lionel Whitnell, the testing process provided a clear comparison of real-world performance and efficiency, supported by guidance from Liebherr’s sales team. Configuration tailored to site requirements The PR 736 G8 supplied to Whitnell Plant was specified to match the company’s operational needs. It was equipped with a 4.84 m³ six-way PAT blade with foldable corners to reduce transport width, and LGP tracks that reduce ground pressure to 6.1 psi, supporting work on soft ground. A five-tine ripper was included to expand application flexibility. Additional safety and usability features included LED work lighting and a 360° camera system. The dozer is powered by a 7-litre diesel engine rated at 238 hp, coupled with a hydrostatic transmission that automatically balances travel speed and drawbar pull. The Generation 8 cab provides wide visibility, ergonomic control layout, and pre-wiring for Trimble or Leica GPS systems. Operator Assistance Systems such as Active Blade Stabilisation and Active Blade Positioning are used to support consistent grading accuracy with reduced manual input. Deployment on site and operational performance The machine was first deployed near Ipswich on a land remediation project for Sirius Group. On this site, the dozer was used to spread cut-and-fill material across an area approximately 50 metres wide, preparing the surface to precise levels ahead of compaction. Matt Whitnell reported that the machine delivered smooth and consistent material handling, enabling accurate finishes within the required tolerances. Maintenance approach and supplier support Initial servicing of the PR 736 G8 is carried out by Liebherr, with long-term maintenance handled in-house by Whitnell Plant. The company’s prior experience with hydrostatic dozers informed this decision. According to Lionel Whitnell, access to responsive technical support from Liebherr was a contributing factor in the selection process. Outcome By deploying the Liebherr PR 736 G8, Whitnell Plant strengthened its fleet with a dozer capable of handling varied earthmoving tasks while supporting grading precision, operator comfort, and efficient operation. The investment aligns the company’s established earthmoving practices with modern machine control and assistance technologies, without altering its core working methods. www.liebherr.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing