The 'near-silent' earthmover range

Originally published in FarmWeekly, June 2026.

LiuGong sales and specialist at McIntosh & Son, Perth, Angelo Francesca. He said the feedback on the electric range of LiuGong earthmoving machinery has been positive.

Demonstrations for the battery electric LiuGong range were held at McIntosh & Son's Perth branch in late May, drawing the attention of contractors and operators keen to get a feel for the earthmoving machines.

A large range was on display: the LiuGong 924FE excavator, the 838TE, 848TE, 870HE, 8110TE wheel loaders, forklifts and graders, not including their diesel range.

LiuGong sales and specialist McIntosh & Son, Perth, Angelo Francesca, said, "We know the value of our product [the electric range], but there's only so much a brochure can tell you.

"By allowing a potential buyer to sit in the cab, use it for their daily operations and workload and get their feedback, the decision to purchase becomes far easier."

Increased operator comfort with noise and heat reductions, as well as fast-charging times of just one hour and less frequent servicing intervals, have been touted as a few of the benefits of the electric range, on top of the fuel savings.

Approximately 30 per cent of diesel is depleted when the machine is idle, while the electric version stops drawing energy after 30 seconds of inactivity, reducing excess usage.

An electric LiuGong 848TE loader. One of the touted benefits for operators is reduced noise in the cab, and lower fuel and maintenance.

Mr Francesca said operators curious about the machines usually have the same questions.

"It's about time, duration, and charging options," he said.

"The answer (to charging times) will depend on what power supply is available, but we also have mobile charging stations developed for those with remote sites."

When Mr Francesca sits down with a client and they crunch the numbers, he often finds that not only is electric a viable option – it can actually reduce operating costs.

Electric LiuGong wheel loaders lined up at the McIntosh & Son Redcliffe branch. These machines have been receiving a tonne of enquiries from contractor and operators.

And during a time when input costs like diesel are spiking unpredictably, owners and operators are looking to keep costs in check however they can.

"As far as feedback, it's always been very positive and exciting – we're leading the pack," he said.

"Right now we're sending up a lot of proposals, hire-to-buys for projects."

Mr Francesca pointed to the LiuGong 8110TE 48-tonne wheel loader as a machine that has received a particularly strong enquiry.

"Even accounting for its capacity, what's stood out about that machine is its near-silent operation, without sacrificing power," he said.

The 8110TE wheel loader has a 706 kilowatt-hour battery and a charging time of less than 60 minutes, from 12 per cent to 95 p/c.

On the excavator front, the 924FE model, with a reach of 11 metres, has a 423 kWh battery capacity and an endurance of six to eight hours.

For those interested in seeing any of the LiuGong range in action, please contact Angelo Francesca at McIntosh & Son Perth via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0459 275 494