LiuGong North America Launches 9018F Mini-Excavator

Tue February 23, 2021
LiuGong

LiuGong North America, headquartered in Katy, Texas, has launched the first of its new F-series excavators. The 9018F is a 2 ton (1.8 t) mini-class excavator that has been designed to meet or exceed North American market design specifications, and to be a perfect fit for the rental industry.

The 9018F represents the smallest of the LiuGong F-Series excavator models. Its compact dimensions, foldable dozer blade and retractable undercarriage alone give its users several transportation and application benefits. The company expects the 9018F to be especially useful in the utility and landscape markets, among many others.

The unit is available with both a FOPS-rated closed pressurized cab, featuring heater and window defroster, as well as a TOPS-rated canopy design. The closed cab 9018F version stands just 7 ft. 9 in. tall, resulting in a lower height that all but eliminates headspace concerns while traveling through tunnels and beneath overpasses.

The 9018F unit's short stature combined with a retractable undercarriage give its operator access to the most restrictive workspaces. Its 51-in. outside tread to outside tread measurement retracts to just 39 in., allowing it to easily pass between onsite obstructions and through almost any bay door, according to the manufacturer.

Application Versatility

"Its versatility is not solely a result of its compact size," said Mike Watt, product manager, LiuGong NA Excavators. "The 9018F is a powerful, robust base unit for a variety of attachments, and supports the installation of consumer-requested aftermarket add-ons."

Back-filling or dozer operation no longer require the operator to remove his or her hand from blade control to change travel speed. By simply pressing the top of the handle, an operator can now select high or low speed travel.

Standard 9018F features include a low-speed, high-torque, Tier IV Final Yanmar engine rated at 18 gross hp (17 net hp), as well as auto-idle and auto shutdown.

Better fuel consumption is achieved through a more efficient hydraulic system using 15 to 20 percent less engine power than that of its predecessor. An improved load-sensitive hydraulic system with 14.5 gpm main pump displacement utilizes a proportional control valve for better management of flow distribution for all attachments, all of which allow the user more precise operation, according to the manufacturer.

Flow rate for the hammer-shear and hydraulic thumb is set right from the operator's monitor. A LiuGong hydraulic thumb ("bucket grabber") comes standard with the unit.

Travel pedals and joysticks give an operator hydraulic control for machine functions: travel, boom, boom swing, arm and bucket. Auxiliary hydraulic functions are controlled by electrical proportional solenoids for precise control.

LiuGong NA offers one of the best warranties in the industry for its 9018F, with XtraCare 3-year/ 4,000-hour end-to-end coverage.

9018F Specifications (Cab)

• Operating weight (with cab): 4,189 lb.
• T4F Yanmar engine: 18 hp (gross), 17 hp (net)
• Max pump flow rate: 14.5 gpm
• Max pressure: 3,046 psi
• Standard bucket capacity: 0.06 cu. yd.
• Bucket/cutting width: 19.5 in.
• Bucket breakout force: 3,597 lbf
• Arms stick force: 2,023 lbf
• Digging depth: 7 ft. 6 in.
• Swing speed: 9.5 rpm
• Arm length: 3 ft. 6 in.
• Max dump height: 7 ft. 9 in. (digging height 11 ft. 1 in.)
• Horizontal reach: 10 ft. 11 in. (at 3 ft. 3 in. height)

For more information, visit www.liugongna.com.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.