Two Liebherr excavators assist with flood prevention from the middle of the Danube

People standing on the bank of the Danube near the German city of Ulm may wonder if Liebherr has introduced a new line of floating excavators. But what appears surreal at first glance turns out to be two terrestrial Liebherr R 938 crawler excavators in the shallows transporting gravel to the surface of the river. This deployment of the Liebherr machines is necessary to ensure the flow of the river along this section, contributing to flood prevention for the nearby city centre.

The two Liebherr R 938 crawler excavators seem to defy the strong current to remove gravel washed into the Danube from the river Iller. The goal of the project is to remove around 80,000 tonnes of gravel from the Danube, which will be sent to a nearby gravel works for processing to be used in various applications, thus playing a role in the circular economy.

The R 938 crawler excavator: a powerful generation 8 machine

Compared to a regular construction job, higher performance is required from the R 938 because of the increased resistance from the flowing river water. At the same time, this means that the working movements on the dipper arm result in a significantly higher temperature than the cool Danube water.

The R 938 has a weight range of 22 to 45 tonnes and is part of the eighth generation of crawler excavators launched in 2019 and developed at Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar. The range is characterized by its modern design, high performance, and versatility; as well as optimized ergonomics, comfort, and safety. The low fuel consumption of the R 938, the result of a Liebherr stage V 4-cylinder in-line engine, also contributes to efficient and cost-effective operation.

Liebherr crawler excavators keep a clear view of underwater materials and terrain

Liebherr crawler excavators are designed to perform to their full potential in rough terrain, however, working in the river poses a special challenge for the two operators of the R 938s. The material to be removed is not always visible, so the operator and machine have to approach their operating area carefully, particularly as the depth of the Danube increases in the middle of the river. The two excavators have had to build a foundation below the water surface to enable gravel to be removed at these points. At times, only the distinctive Liebherr-yellow uppercarriages of the R 938s can be seen. For onlookers, this creates the impression of two floating excavators fishing in the murky waters — all set against the spectacular backdrop of the famous Ulm Minster.