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| Special Edition style
sleeve.
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| On the road. |
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| Attractive colour
scheme. |
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| Tower being tilted to
vertical. |
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| It is a big model. |
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| Fold down deck access
ladder. |
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| Cab elevated to the top
of the tower.
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| Profile view. |
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| Excellent straight jib. |
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The Liebherr MK 88-4.1E Mobile Construction Crane
is a 4 axle machine with a maximum lifting capacity of 8 tonnes.
Depending on configuration it can lift 2.2 tonnes at the
maximum radius of 45m, and the maximum hook height is just over
30m. The jib can be angled up to 45°.
This is an updated version of the earlier MK 88 model by Conrad.
It is a Special Edition model presented at Bauma 2022.
Packaging
It comes in a higher quality Liebherr branded box with a Special
Edition cover sleeve. Inside it is packed within black foam rubber.
The review model had a missing Liebherr flag and appears to omit
the tower telescoping winch. It was also supplied with
wrong colour sign boards for the jib - grey instead of blue. Conrad
later supplied correct colour sign boards and the missing winch
part, but it appears the Liebherr flag is not intended to be
supplied with this version of the model.
An updated Building Instructions booklet is provided which
is printed in German and English. It has an illustrated parts
list and is in colour.
There are a few small parts to fit to the model. Just like
the real crane, it is complicated so it takes a while to erect it
fully but it is straightforward if the instructions are followed.
It is robustly made but care needs to be taken not to force any
parts during erection or more particularly when folding it up.
Small temporary
clips are used to prevent lines from getting tangled up when
the model is unpacked and assembled and this is certainly a much
better solution than the fiddly tape often used on other models.
Detail
There is little detail under the model with the steering
components being purely functional. The tyres are good and the wheel hubs
are
detailed.
The driving cab's
details are simple and represent the real crane's uncluttered appearance.
Door mirrors attach to the cab and interior detail is reasonable. The outriggers
have metal beams with visible screw-threaded pistons and plastic pads. Four plastic
outrigger pads are supplied and these can be stored in holders on
each side.
A neat fold down ladder provides access to the
carrier deck and crane body. The carrier deck has good diamond
plate surfacing and at the rear an optional tool carrier can be
fitted.
The crane body is a good casting with panel doors and handles detailed
and the lines of the body are only broken by small access holes
for the keys to turn the winches. A metal handrail and optional
additional ballast plate are parts to be fitted. The handrail's
are metal. The tower tilting mechanism is in place although it is not intended to be
reeved, and there are metal
pulleys throughout on this model.
The mast is a telescopic lattice.
It is well made and there is a new style rail section
attached to the lower part. The top section has to be
fitted when the tower is extended. The cab is an updated design
with an opaque windscreen. A new part on this updated
model is a metal cover for the cab raising winch.
The jib is metal throughout and is mechanically complex. Conrad
have done an excellent job at making the jib, the hinges, and the
pendant connections to fine tolerances so that it is geometrically
correct when erected.
The trolley is plastic, and both it and the metal hook have tiny
metal pulleys.
Features
The carrier has independent steering on each axle so all modes of
steering can be reproduced and the range of movement in the steering
is good.
The outriggers can be deployed and are strong enough to support
the weight of the model when erected. The outrigger pads can
be stowed or used as desired.
The ladder to the carrier deck can be unfolded, and the tool carrier
can be added or omitted. It is advisable to fit the optional
counterweight to improve stability of the model.
The cab can be raised to the top of the tower using the winch,
but the friction in the winch drum is not enough to hold the
cab's position reliably.
It is possible to pose the crane as if undergoing the phases of
erection although this cannot be carried out by operating the winches
alone as various hand manipulations are required. When the
crane is erect it is stable, but the diecast metal jib means that it will
not carry any significant load at radius before wanting to tip over.
Keys are supplied to operate the various winches. The jib can
be unfolded and either posed horizontal or at an angle to mimic
the possibilities of the real crane.
The hook can be raised
and lowered, but the trolley function is not present and it has
to be positioned by hand. The trolley tends to slide down
the jib if the jib is set a high angle.
Quality
Conrad have made a model of their typical robust quality.
The paintwork and graphics are
very good.
Price
The model is relatively pricey which reflects its complexity and
features, and that this version is a special edition.
Overall
This model is an update of a model first released around 12
years previously. The updates are relatively modest, but
is is a smart looking model in the special edition colour
scheme.
Footnotes
The model was a special edition first seen at the BAUMA
exhibition in October 2022.
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| In the
box.
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| With care a very good
travelling profile can be obtained. |
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| Underneath.
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| New exhaust on this
updated model. |
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| Tool carrier and wheel
chocks at the back. |
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| Jib being unfolded. |
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| Latest cab design. |
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| The jib sign boards
should be blue and white on this version. |
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| Jib luffed at 45°
angle. |
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