At EXCON 2017, Liugong is all-set to unleash its true potentials by launching its `made in India´ 921 Di advanced medium-range excavator, along with its 611 soil compactor, both designed keeping Indian requirements in mind.
The mining and construction sector in India is a very unique ball game altogether. This is where big rigs take up the show, for a variety of heavy-duty tasks, resulting in incredible levels of sophistication in the job done within a quick span of time. It is capital intensive, with an enormous appetite for machinery and equipment in this sector, and profitability of business being crucial for sustenance and further investments. That is perhaps why tons of products across all CE segments with higher power, handling capacity, and superior technology are getting launched in the market. EXCON, the biennial Construction Equipment and Technology Trade Fair, is a standing testimony to this trend year-by-year. With the market prospects shining for 2018, CE makers in India are charged-up for this year´s event, including Liugong India.
Liugong Machinery Corporation is one of the titanic players in the CE industry internationally, with a wide array of extreme-duty and advanced product lines, extensive global reach across 130 nations, and 20 manufacturing facilities including the one located at Pithampur in India that has been in operation since 2009. The China-based company began its Indian journey with the sale of a product way back in 2002, and later established its subsidiary named Liugong India that is dedicated to the local market while also catering to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. At present, the company has over 19 dealers and 50 touch points, with dedicated technical support and marketing teams, and feels mature enough to unleash its full potential in the Indian market.
Sustained efforts
Mr. Wu Song, Managing Director of Liugong India, takes pride in the way his company has grown and sustained in India. “Starting as a humble brand in the Indian CE market some 15 years before, we have grown remarkably with over 4,000 Liugong machines operating across the country, affirmed by a state-of-the-art production unit and R&D centre in India. This tells a lot about our sustained efforts and commitment towards Indian customers”, he says. “Our mission is to provide total solutions to our clients, by constantly upgrading product offerings and improving their productivity and performance” he adds. Liugong India´s product stable consists of excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, compactors, bull dozers, backhoe loaders, and forklifts.
Asked on the level of acceptance of Liugong products among the Indian folks, Mr. Nischal Mehrotra, Director (Sales and Services), replies that Indian buyers always respect quality and value-for-money products and responsive service support, and that Liugong is exemplary on both the aspects. “Our product excellence and service backup is reflected in repeated orders for new products from our existing customers. Overcoming all branding stereotypes prevalent here, customers and industry folks now recognise us as `Liugong´ brand instead of considering as some humdrum Chinese company” he observes.
Says Mr. Song, “Indian CE buyers demand best products and cutting-edge technologies that can bring them optimum performance and profitability. We at Liugong understand this very well and handpick those machines from our international stable that suit the needs of local buyers.” He goes on to add: “Most of our product range features class-leading technologies like air conditioning, FOPS / ROPS, and Telematics. But that´s not all, we do see India as a potential manufacturing hub for the globe, with design and R&D inputs coming from the local clientele and industry. It is not merely ‘make in India’ doctrine we believe in, but ‘made in India for the world’”, referring to the 5 million USD excavator plant at Pithampur that manufactures locally-designed 921 Di models for both Indian and international markets.
Passionate preparations
For Liugong India, EXCON has a clear purpose. “It is more of a branding platform for us, and we have been quite active particularly in the last five editions. Since the right equipment usage in the industry has come to practice now, especially for specialized applications, we launch and preview exclusive products across all categories for potential buyers”, says Mr. Rajesh Chhikara, Manager (Strategy and Marketing). Apart from the market launch of Liugong 921Di India-made excavator and 611 compactor, the company will be exhibiting the 7-tonne 870H wheel loader for the first time in India, he revealed. Other products likely to be displayed include 836 and 856 H-series wheel loaders, B160 bull dozer, 414 motor grader, and five ranges of excavators.
With big time construction and mining projects expected to jazz up equipment utilisation in the country, and thereby blow up market sales in the upcoming years, Liugong India shows positive attitude and due diligence to crack this highly competitive industry. “Competition is as fierce as western markets. Yet, our right understanding of Indian customers and ability to deliver what they want, drawing from the vast 60-year expertise of Liugong internationally, gives us an edge over our rival brands”, opines the MD.
Liugong CLG 921 Di BS III Excavator – ‘Made in India, for the World’
The all-new Liugong 921 Di is a heavy-duty, medium-range excavator aimed at best-in-class performance and low operating cost. It boasts a maximum digging depth of 5,875 mm with a bucket capacity of 0.95 m3 and track length of 4,170 mm, with operating weight of 21,000 Kgs. Powered by Cummins B5.9 engine assembled in India, the machine generates a gross power of 104 kW (141 hp) at 2,000 rpm.
To improve fuel efficiency, the 921 Di is designed with negative flow hydraulics, that optimizes the speeds of main control valve and while working and cutting down on the hydraulic system’s pressure loss. An advanced Auto Idling system is also in place to lower engine rpm when the machine is idle to save fuel. In terms of digging operations, additional buffer valve is provided for smooth hydraulic operation. While high breakout forces of bucket, arm and high torque of powerful swing motor have reduced the swing cycle time considerably.
Liugong 611 BS III Vibratory Soil Compactor
The market for compactors in India is on the go, with an estimated sales figure of 4,000 units sold annually, of which almost 50% are soil compactors. Construction industry demands optimum compaction with minimum number of passes these days, resulting in growing relevance of vibratory compactors as against static rollers. These machines send pressure waves into the soil surface in different directions leading to the particles achieving a dense state of orientation. Although initial capital investment for these products are higher, contractors are starting to realize that an extra premium is bound to pay off in the long run, given the cost savings achieved out of lesser number of passes.
Powered by Kirloskar-sourced engine, the Liugong 611 compactor delivers a gross power of 77.2 kW (105 hp) at 2,200 rpm. It is claimed to offer lower noise and emission. The machine presents a vibration frequency range of 33 Hz, along with a centrifugal force range of 270 KN/ 150 KN. Its working width is 2,130 mm, while its operating weight is pegged at 11,000 Kgs. Liugong claims that this product is suitable for road building and full range of road maintenance work.
Design wise, a streamlined approach has resulted in a good appearance. Featuring comfortable cab offering high visibility, adjustable operation platform and high-back seat, the interiors are designed to provide the operator with a high level of comfort, adds the company.