by Richard Cosgrove | Wed 15 Oct 2025
L. Walter & Sons Excavating optimises its operations with the Liebherr crawler excavator R 992
Based in Ontario, southern Canada, L. Walter & Sons Excavating currently operates a solid rock quarry with particularly challenging working conditions, including the extraction of heavy materials of 2.2 t/m3 density, large-size blocks and abrasive rock. The R 992 crawler excavator was the obvious strategic choice for the company, thanks to its performance tailor-made for difficult environments.
Niagara Falls (Canada), 14th October 2025 - The machine’s main purpose is loading 40 tonne articulated dumper trucks, which it fills in just three passes. This particularly fast rhythm testifies to the crawler excavator’s power and efficiency. The machine is also distinguished by its breakout force, which is among the best in its category. These characteristics allow L. Walter & Sons Excavating to optimise its production flows while reducing waiting time and operating costs. “What won us over was the combination of power, speed, reliability and production quality. The R 992 checks all these boxes: it offers impressive power, very short cycle times and a perfect finished design”, emphasises company vice-president Matt Walter.
Founded in 1965; the company L. Walter & Sons Excavating has been in business for 60 years and has already acquired 60 Liebherr machines. An impressive milestone.
Designed for the most challenging environments in the extraction sector, the generation 6.2 R 992 crawler excavator features significant improvements in terms of diesel consumption and operator assistance functions. With an operating weight of 94 tonnes, the R 992 has established itself as a stable and powerful machine. In addition to its technical capabilities, it incorporates functionalities designed with operators and their safety in mind: a spacious, comfortable and ergonomic operator’s cab, two cameras to ensure an optimal field of view, an armoured windscreen as standard, and the new Bucket Fill Assist assistance system, which improves bucket filling rate and shortens work cycle times.
In line with L. Walter & Sons Excavating’s operating requirements, the machine has been configured with a 7.2 metre boom and 2.90 metre stick, offering optimal reach and stability during loading. The bucket, with 6.2 m3 capacity and 2,300 mm width, allows large volumes of rock to be loaded efficiently while ensuring good penetration into the digging material thanks to its semi-delta blade. The bucket is equipped with Liebherr Z90 CL profile teeth, well known for their wear-resistance. To protect its equipment from impacts while handling blocks, the R 992 is also fitted with special protective plates on the underside of both the boom and the stick.
The R 992 is part of a new range of large-capacity Liebherr crawler excavators designed for intensive applications, especially in the mining and quarrying extraction sectors and in bulk earthmoving. Made up of the 70 to 100 tonne models, this series – which includes the R 972, R 978 SME, R 992 and R 998 SME – is distinguished by its combination of raw power, hydraulic precision and on-board technologies, while offering a high-quality operator experience.
Apart from their impressive size, these crawler excavators incorporate innovations that improve productivity and profitability on site. They feature the Liebherr Power Efficiency – Engine Control system, which adjusts engine parameters in real time to reduce fuel consumption, while also maintaining high performance. This technological approach not only allows operating costs to be reduced but also enables businesses operating in this sector to respond to the growing environmental issues that they face.
For comfort and ergonomics, cabs are equipped with intelligent assistance systems, a layout designed for optimal field of view, and intuitive controls for easier handling. The Modetronic function allows operators to adjust machine behaviour closely to their own driving styles and the nature of the work, thus increasing precision and flexibility in use.
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