Liebherr has rounded off its Generation 8 range of mining dozers with the launch of its latest flagship, the PR 776 G8, designed to handle demanding mining and quarry operations with ease. The new dozer, which packs 768 horsepower, made its debut at MinExpo, showcasing Liebherr’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies and boosting operational efficiency across its entire Generation 8 lineup, which now covers models from 35 to 73 metric tonnes.
The PR 776 G8, weighing in at 70 tonnes, brings a new electronic architecture that powers innovative technologies like operator assistance systems for blade and ripper control and enables teleoperation through Liebherr’s LiReCon remote operation system. According to Dr. Jörg Lukowski, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Liebherr-Mining Equipment, the Generation 8 machines incorporate the company's latest product advancements, positioning Liebherr as a leader in mining dozer technology.
Equipped with Operator Assistance Systems (OAS), previously exclusive to smaller models, the PR 776 G8 offers two levels of automated control. The Free Grade system delivers active blade stabilization, enhancing precision during fine grading tasks, while Definition Grade allows automatic blade positioning for creating 2D grades. The innovative Auto Blade Pitch system lets operators quickly save and switch between three blade positions optimized for material penetration, transport, and rapid clearing. These features, combined, improve not only productivity and efficiency but also operator comfort.
Notably, the PR 776 G8 is the only mining dozer in the 70-tonne class that includes a hydrostatic travel drive, which provides best-in-class fuel efficiency and power delivery. The dozer averages 38 liters of fuel per hour, aided by its hydrostatic drive’s unique closed-loop system, which minimizes wear and tear. The hydrostatic drive also enables each track to be individually controlled, allowing the machine to turn on a standstill, thus improving maneuverability and enhancing productivity. As Nico Schuchter, Area Sales Manager at Liebherr Group, highlights, this system allows Liebherr’s dozer to achieve unmatched power delivery and fuel efficiency.
LiReCon, Liebherr’s remote control system, further extends the PR 776 G8’s versatility by enabling teleoperation for hazardous environments. Demonstrated at MinExpo with a remote-controlled PR 776 in Austria, LiReCon consists of a teleoperation station that includes a workspace outfitted with all necessary controls, onboard cameras for comprehensive views, and a radio link. This setup allows dozers and excavators to operate in risky areas while operators remain in a safe environment, making fast operator shift changes possible and reducing machine downtime.
The Generation 8 PR 776 G8 has been engineered for minimal maintenance needs, featuring easily accessible centralized maintenance points, wide-opening access doors, a tiltable operator cab, and an optional swing-out fan for simplified cleaning. With extended maintenance intervals, the dozer’s hydraulic and engine oil changes can be prolonged to up to 8,000 operating hours when using Liebherr Plus oils.
Liebherr’s dedication to comfort and safety for operators is evident in the PR 776 G8’s redesigned cab, which incorporates a single joystick for ease of control and large panoramic windows for enhanced 360-degree visibility. The cab’s ROPS/FOPS protection is seamlessly integrated, providing a sleek, robust design without additional bulk.
Looking toward the future, Liebherr is also working on a battery-electric version of the PR 776 as part of a significant collaboration with Australian mining giant Fortescue. This electric model, the PR 776 BEV, is set to enter series production in 2029, with the battery modules supplied by Fortescue Zero. This partnership will deliver 60 PR 776 BEV units by 2030 as part of a $2.8 billion deal aimed at achieving zero emissions in mining operations.
