Bradken R9800 Undercarriage Solution

At a coal mine in Queensland, operators faced a critical decision regarding the long-term reliability and cost-effectiveness of their hydraulic excavator undercarriages. With two Liebherr R9800 machines in operation, the mine installed undercarriages from Bradken and a competitor within months of each other. Their goal: to track performance side-by-side under identical conditions and determine the best path forward for future undercarriage investments.

Bradken, leveraging over 40 years of undercarriage design and manufacturing expertise, supplied its advanced crawler shoes and components for one of the R9800 machines. These components were built on a legacy of innovation and OEM collaboration, including more than a decade as the preferred supplier of crawler shoes and drive tumblers for Liebherr’s R996B and R9800 excavators. Bradken’s solution incorporated metallurgical enhancements, rigorous design processes, and the highest standards of manufacturing quality.

The mine’s ongoing comparison has revealed a significant performance gap: Bradken’s undercarriage is projected to last over 50% longer than the competitor’s. This extended wear life translates into fewer change-outs, reduced maintenance costs, and increased machine availability—directly impacting operational efficiency and bottom-line profitability. This data highlights Bradken's demonstrated reliability and proven value to support customers around the world.