Liebherr T 282: the American-built 360-tonne mining truck

The Liebherr T 282 series is a family of off-highway, ultra-class, rigid-frame, two-axle mining trucks with a diesel-electric AC powertrain, designed and built in the United States by Liebherr Mining Equipment Co. in Newport News, Virginia. The series is no longer in production and was succeeded by the Liebherr T 284.

Liebherr T 282 at a glance

History of the Liebherr T 282

T 282 (1998)

Liebherr developed the T 282 for large-scale mining with a payload of up to 330 tonnes (360 short tons). It was the first mining haul truck designed by Liebherr after the company acquired the haul truck maker WISEDA, Ltd., and engineers in Newport News aimed for the lightest empty vehicle weight in relation to payload. The first trucks were tested extensively at Liebherr’s proving grounds, and the model was presented to the public in 1999. It replaced in concept the earlier T 262 of 1982, which carried 218 tonnes.

T 282 B (2004)

In October 2003 Liebherr introduced the T 282 B, with up to 360 tonnes (400 short tons) of payload and an empty weight of 237 tonnes (261 short tons). Around 200 changes went into the new model, combining a larger payload with more engine power. At its launch it offered the largest payload of any haul truck in the world and remained unmatched for over four years. The public debut took place at Bauma in Munich on 29 March 2004, and the first trucks were delivered in August of that year.

The low empty weight came from the lightweight AC drive system, lighter components and a “stress flow” design that allowed lighter but stronger steel structures and castings. Fully loaded the T 282 B reaches 64 km/h. Buyers could choose a 2,720 kW (3,650 hp) MTU/DDC 20V4000 V20 of 90 litres or a 2,600 kW (3,500 hp) Cummins QSK 78 V18 of 78 litres. The chassis and superstructure were assembled at the Newport News plant for shipment, with the remaining components fitted on site with the customer.

T 282 C (2010)

The T 282 C of 2010 continued the series with a payload of up to 360 tonnes and the same 237-tonne empty weight. It was the last of the line: the T 282 series was succeeded by the Liebherr T 284, derived from the T 282 C and producing up to 3,000 kW.

Design and features

• Diesel-electric drive: a diesel engine drives a generator that feeds two AC motors, one behind each rear wheel hub, through planetary gears; there is no clutch or gearbox.
• Electric dynamic braking: the drive motors act as generators, their energy burned off in fan-forced air-cooled stainless steel resistor grids, rated at about 4,480 kW.
• Trolley Assist ready: the T 282 B is fully compatible with the Liebherr Trolley Assist System, which saves fuel without losing productivity.
• Operator comfort and safety: air-suspension seats, a double-shell concept, thermal and acoustic isolation, emergency engine shutdown and a climate-controlled cab.
• Big wheels: tyres 4.11 m in diameter, each wheel weighing 7.8 tonnes.

Liebherr T 282 versions

• T 282 (1998): 330-tonne payload, the first Liebherr truck after the WISEDA acquisition.
• T 282 B (2004): 360-tonne payload, 237-tonne empty weight, largest payload in the world at launch.
• T 282 C (2010): the final version, with 360 tonnes and 237 tonnes empty.
• Engine choice: MTU/DDC 20V4000 or Cummins QSK 78.
• Trolley Assist: optional electric trolley operation for the T 282 B.
• Cold-climate and body options: engine heater, cold climate kit, body liner and canopy spill guards listed for the T 282.

The T 282 was the largest truck in Liebherr’s mining range, built by the same company as the LR 13000 crawler crane and the LTM 11200 mobile crane. More machines are in the Liebherr collection.

Sources

• Liebherr T 282 series, English Wikipedia: models, development, powertrain, braking
• Liebherr T 282, German Wikipedia: dimensions, market, customers, specifications