TEST DRIVE: LiuGong 9017F ZTS mini excavator

The LiuGong 9017F ZTS mini excavator is clearly a capable and well-built machine which would be an asset on any landscaping or construction site.

LiuGong is Australia’s No. 1 wheel-loader brand and rates in the top five machinery manufacturers globally for units sold. Landscape Contractor magazine was very keen to get hands-on with a 9017F ZTS to see what made the brand so popular.

Mini excavators are a major boon to landscapers. Their ability to work in very confined spaces and move comparatively huge amounts of earth and debris with precision is invaluable.

As the Landscape Contractor staff sheltered from the intermittent rain at the test site, itching to get the LiuGong 9017F ZTS into action, the machine’s buoyancy looked like it might be a consideration.

But test driver Mat Wandmaker from Blue Ridge Property Maintenance is made of stern stuff.

And so, as it turned out, is the Liugong 9017F ZTS.

The machine

LiuGong’s 9017F has an operating weight of 1.75 tonnes. A fuel-efficient, low-noise and low-emission Stage V certified Yanmar 3TNV80F-SNLY powers the zero-tail-swing unit and gives 86L/min system management flow and high breakout force.

Hydraulics are matched with the engine for efficiency, and Automatic Idle Control means reductions in fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent can be expected compared with the industry average.

High-pressure quick-coupler lines are standard, as are the two-speed auto-shift travel, 300mm rubber tracks and hitch piping.

Load-sensing hydraulics equipped with pressure-compensated valves deliver smooth operation, and the Electro Proportional Joystick gives precise and sensitive control of all attachments. Operators can control and monitor oil flow to the auxiliary lines using an in-cab control unit, and the 9017F ZTS features a smart lock button on the joystick that allows the operator to lock the flow.

With the upper frame and counterweight sitting within the width of the tracks, the 9017F ZTS can access and work in the tightest of areas. The offset boom swing control allows the 9017F ZTS to dig right alongside the tracks, and at the touch of a button, track-wheel control enables the boom to swing 74 degrees to the left and 54.5 degrees to the right.

And at the end of the day, easy access to air filter, oil filter, fuel prefilter, dipstick, hydraulic tank and oil-fill cap via fully opening side covers save a great deal of time on maintenance.

A fuel-efficient, low-noise and low-emission Stage V certified Yanmar 3TNV80F-SNLY engine powers the zero-tail-swing unit.

The drive

Mat Wandmaker’s thoughts on the LiuGong after a muddy testing session were fairly unequivocal.

“I love driving excavators,” admitted the Victorian, “but driving this one was particularly pleasurable. It’s really nimble, and the zero tail swing is handy for landscapers because it’ll get into tight little spots.

“The digging component was good. There was no issue whatsoever with the digging power. It wasn’t super-hard compacted clay, but I don’t think it would’ve been an issue if it had been, and there was no play in the controls, which was awesome. “Everything was nice and smooth.”

And the ergos?

“Everything was in the right spot,” Mat recalled.

“I’m a taller guy, and I fitted in the cab quite nicely. I stayed quite dry during the rain, too, and the LCD display in the cabin is quite intuitive. I really liked it. I had a quick flick through and it was easy to bring up the service history, turn lights on and off that kind of thing.

“I normally wear earmuffs when I’m operating machinery like this, but I didn’t need to on the LiuGong. It was nice and quiet.”

And the visibility?

“Forward visibility is perfect!” beamed Mat. “There’s no obstructions there. It could possibly use a little mirror just so the operator could check behind if needed, but overall, visibility was fine.”

The upper frame and counterweight sitting within the width of the tracks mean the 9017F ZTS is super compact.

You can find out more about the offer, the 9017F ZTS, and the entire LiuGong range at visit liugongaustralia.com.au