Whitnell Plant Selects Liebherr for Earthmoving Operations

At Whitnell Plant, family values and engineering expertise go hand in hand. Father-and-son duo Lionel and Matt Whitnell continue a long-standing tradition of hands-on earthmoving, combining decades of experience with a practical, performance-led approach to equipment selection. Lionel’s reputation for skill and commitment in the industry now directly shapes the next generation, as the pair run the business together. The company remains firmly rooted in traditional earthmoving methods, operating motor scrapers across bulk earthworks and civil engineering projects, while actively sharing its knowledge with industry peers. In early 2021, the Whitnells began searching for a new dozer to complement their fleet. As a small family-run business, each investment needed to deliver tangible value, versatility and long-term reliability. The new machine had to perform across a broad range of applications, from fine trimming to heavy pushing, while remaining comfortable for long working days on site. To ensure the right decision, side-by-side trials were organised between Liebherr and another leading brand, with close attention paid to fuel efficiency, performance and operator comfort. Following the evaluations, the Liebherr PR 736 G8 clearly stood out. Lionel said the trials provided a clear picture of the machine’s capabilities, noting that its consistent performance and overall efficiency matched their requirements, supported by strong guidance from the Liebherr sales team. Whitnell Plant specified the PR 736 G8 to suit its operational needs. The 4.84 m³ six-way PAT blade features foldable corners to reduce transport width, while LGP tracks reduce ground pressure to just 6.1 psi, making the machine well suited for soft ground conditions. A five-tine ripper adds versatility, while additional LED lighting and a 360-degree camera system enhance safety and productivity. Power comes from a seven-litre diesel engine producing 238 hp, paired with a hydrostatic transmission that automatically balances speed and drawbar pull for smooth, efficient operation. Inside the Generation 8 cab, operators benefit from excellent visibility, intuitive controls and pre-wiring for Trimble or Leica GPS systems. Liebherr’s Operator Assistance Systems, including Active Blade Stabilisation and Active Blade Positioning, further support precise grading with reduced operator effort.