Liebherr Rig in Switzerland Liebherr’s piling and drilling rig, LRB 18, is performing the foundation work for residential and business premises in Lucerne, Switzerland. At these locations, secant pile wall are being erected as a lining wall for the foundation pit, where piles are being installed for the foundation in an extremely tight space. The machine is versatile and can be deployed for all piling, drilling and vibration applications. Its compact design and low operating weight of only 50 tonne (55 ton) results in low ground pressures. The LRB is fitted with a double rotary drive type DBA 80. Due to the extremely high groundwater table at the jobsite, the double rotary drilling method is perfect for installing the piles, which have a diameter of 510 mm (20 in) and an embedment depth of 16 m (52 ft). Despite the difficult conditions, the LRB 18 achieves several piles per day. The LRB 18 is fitted with a new cabin concept, which especially focuses on increased operator comfort. This is achieved through a modern air-conditioning system, an optimized view from the cabin, and an orthopedic operator’s seat with automatic adjustment. The compact LRB 18 can be easily transported in one piece with mounted counterweight, which ensures quick set-up onsite as well as flexibility in transferring the machine between different jobsites. A New Rig Dubbed the “Game Changer” IFS Equipment Ltd., located in Fort St. John, BC, Canada, has introduced a versatile, environmentally-friendly, multi- purpose rig called the “Game Changer” (GC). GC is a completely bi-directional machine, for both aboveground and underground operations. The unit, which can drive, drill and screw, performs installation of augercast piles, displace- ment piles, drilled shafts, driven piles and helical piles on a single platform. Boom extension and rotation technology coupled with an end of boom actuator allows the GC a considerable working envelope. The rig is available as a truck mount or excavator mount. Jason Linley, developer of the GC, recently was nominated Innovator of the Year at the BC Natural Resource Forum. Linley said the vehicle has been extremely popular due to lessened environmental impact, labor and equipment costs. “With one vehicle doing the work of three, it also conserves fuel,” he said. "With all the 180 degree rotations our machine can go through, it allows us to go through all the rotations we want and maintain a level pile. So we don’t have to disturb the earth or anything endangered, and we have the reach with our extendable booms to get to locations without wrecking them with tire tracks." The Game Changer will be on display at IFCEE 2018, March 5-10, in Or l ando, Fl a . Wa t ch a video a t http://thegamechanger.ca/video_.html. 104 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2018
