 | | Liebherr branded box. |  |  | | Towering dimensions. |  | | Impressive counterweight. |  | | View underneath. |  | | Detailed elements on the roof. |  | | Excellent hydraulics and fans under the mesh. |  | | Exhaust pipes have holes. |  | | Hydraulics on the boom and stick. |  | | Loading a Liebherr T 282B Mining Truck. |  | | At work on a bench. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Liebherr R 9800 is the largest mining excavator in the Liebherr range in 2013. It has an operating weight of around 800 tonnes in backhoe configuration and the bucket capacity is in the range 42 - 47.5m³.
It is designed to work with the largest mining trucks.
Packaging
The model comes in a large package which has a Liebherr-branded sleeve enclosing two large expanded polystyrene trays.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
No information is provided about the real machine. A simple instruction sheet has a parts list and details the fixing of mirrors and other parts.
Detail
The tracks are plastic but they are tough with a matt finish and look very good. The track frames are metal and simple like the original machine. Lifting eye lugs are provided but they do not have holes. There are heavy duty rollers on the top and bottom of the frames. The massive drive sprockets have Liebherr embossed on the outside and there are large drive casings on the inside. A fixed ladder arrangement provides access to the slewing ring and front stairs and a service flap provides for refuelling and lubes.
The body is substantial with very sharp graphics. At the rear 'Liebherr' and '9800' are embossed in the casting. Slated side panels are modelled in plastic but the colour match is excellent so they look fine. The access ladders and handrails are metal and strong, and are not too thick. Mirrors and lights are plastic and not silvered which is a little odd.
The operator's cab has plastic grilles on the sides and rear, and the interior detail is good, although there is no wiper on the windscreen. Excellent mesh floors are on the walkway outside the cab.
Equipment on the roof looks convincing and the large metal exhaust pipes are really good because you can see right down inside them. Cables run across the floor and there is another excellent piece of mesh at the front of the roof with fans visible underneath.
The backhoe boom and stick are of very heavy construction but matched with that is some outstanding hydraulics which look busy and give a very realistic appearance. The hydraulic rams are suitably massive with full hydraulics detailing and although the ram jackets are plastic they look very good. The large rivets are plastic, but they look right also.
The bucket is a very large and solid piece of modelling with the teeth and casting details being very good.
Features
The tracks are tensioned by spring-loaded idlers. They roll well, and the review model managed it even on a smooth surface.
Rotation of the body is very smooth with no rocking.
Underneath the body a service flap can be lowered.
The rear access stair lowers without reaching the ground.
The boom, stick and bucket have a good range of movement. The rams are stiff but reasonably movable on the review model.
Quality
This is a heavy duty model with substantial metal elements. There is some plastic but where used, it is appropriate.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
It is a costly model but it is good value having regard for the size and quality.
Overall
It is good to see the backhoe version of the R 9800 after the initial introduction of the shovel version, and it shares its detailing and finish. As a mining model it is very large and impressive and makes a great display with a suitable mining truck.
Footnotes
It first appeared in July 2014. |
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|  | | In the box: model and instructions, and there is also a couple of bags of small parts. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Access stair lowered. |  | | Lights at the front. |  | | Mesh floor and grilles. | |
|  | | Sun shades on the cab sides but no wiper. |  | | Bucket looks realistic. |  | | Service flap lowers. |  | | Yes, it is rather large. |
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