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Liebherr LTM 1160/2 Mobile Crane

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  2090
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  October 2004


Conrad Index
Mobile Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)17
Features   (max 20)15
Quality   (max 25)15
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)66%

Footnotes


The Liebherr LTM 1160/2.
The box.
On the road.
Ballast attaches at the rear.  The 'knob' is fixed in place.
This is a model of a 5 axle 160 tonne capacity Liebherr crane.

Packaging

The model is packed within the usual Liebherr style picture sleeve which holds together two polystyrene trays containing the model and accessories.  No instructions are provided with the model and although it is intuitive to assemble, the novice would be helped by some instructions.  The review model was undamaged.

Detail

Starting at the front of the model, the cab has beacon lights and wing mirrors, although the wing mirrors are completely silvered all round which looks slightly strange.  Lights at the front are painted and there is no loop for fixing on the hook during transport.  Moving towards the back, the carrier has various textured horizontal surfaces and there is reasonable detail with an exhaust pipe and various boxes.  At the rear of the carrier the lights are also painted and a set of wheel chocks is attached.

Turning to the crane, the cab has a reasonably detailed interior and there are very good cast grab rails to the front and top.  However details such as a windscreen wiper are missing.  A small plastic hydraulic cylinder controls the tilting cab.  The body is fairly basic with an exhaust pipe and a plastic ladder.  The main boom has two grooves on one side to hold plastic inserts which can be used to carry the top section of the fly jib.  At the main boom head the pulleys are plastic and consist of single blocks with two pulleys in each so do not expect to run the model with a free rolling multi line hook.  Two hooks are provided; the standard single line hook and a block with three pulleys.

Features

The axles are linked in two groups.  The front three axles steer together with the rear pair making up the second group.  Both sets can be turned to a hard lock so the model can be posed  impressively.  The outriggers are dual stage telescopic and are plastic.  The pads are also plastic and screw down in the normal manner.

The usual crane functions can be performed.  The crane rotates well and the winch is operated by the Conrad style plastic winding handle.  Although this can be pulled out so that you can pose the model without it, the winch drum ends up floating in an unsatisfactory manner.  Additional features include the tilting cab which tilts upwards to allow the operator a less strained view of high lifts.  The counterweight is a single separate block which can be screwed into position on to the rear of the crane.

The boom itself is a six stage telescope and so reaches to an impressive height.  The fly jib provided with the model is very good, and is assembled using the usual steel pins.  The  boom head adaptor has a ratchet mechanism so that the fly jib can be offset at four angles to the main boom and to facilitate the running of the winch line a dolly pulley can be folded out to keep the line from fouling the jib.  Two intermediate fly jib sections are provided as well as final top section, which also includes a folding final piece.  When all pieces are assembled, the fly jib adds significantly to the overall boom length.

Quality

The impression of the model is good out of the box and its weight gives a quality feel.  The casting is good, especially the fly jib, and the paintwork and lettering are all fine.  Some plastic is used, most notably in the outriggers, however this does not detract seriously.

Price

The model is good value for money taking into account the large lattice fly jib that comes in the box.

Overall

This is a good model for the large crane collector and the extra long fly jib provides a number of different display options.  The robustness of the model would be improved by metal outriggers and some further detailing would enhance the overall look.  A big improvement would be the provision of separate counterweight plates rather than a solid block, which would open the options for posing the model.

Footnotes

The model first appeared in this version in 1999.  It has been produced in a variety of liveries.  The model was withdrawn from Conrad's online model list in February 2006.
 
Inside the box.
Rigged with a single line hook.