 |
| Conrad branded box.
|
 |
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| Low headroom
for tunnel work. |
 |
| Impressive
tyres. |
 |
| Hydraulic lines
cross the pivot point. |
 |
| Plastic grille
at the rear.
|
 |
| Bucket height
is pretty good. |
 |
| Soletanche
Bachy graphics on the cab. |
 |
| Wheel hubs are
plastic. |
 |
| Loading a
Sandvik TH550. |
 |
| Opening grille at the rear. |
|
The Sandvik LH621 Underground Loader
is specially designed to work in conditions of
restricted headroom and can work in tunnel sizes of 5.5m
x 5.5m and larger. The operating weight is nearly 57
tonnes and it can travel with up to 21 tonnes of material in
the bucket.
This version of the model is in the colours of
Soletanche Bachy, which is a member of the
VINCI Group. Soletanche Bachy Tunnels is the
specialist tunneling company.
Packaging
The model comes in a Conrad branded box
but there is no information about the real
machine. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
There is no information about the model and the only
assembly
required is to fit two light clusters on the loader arms.
Detail
The tyres are large and particularly chunky and have a
very good rubber feel, and the hubs have good detail.
Underneath, the main transmission elements are modelled
but otherwise it is plain.
The engine area is a heavy casting and finer details
such as the access ladder and handrails are solid rather
than authentic. However the plastic engine is
visible and looks good. At the rear there is a
plastic grille, the lights are
painted and there are chevron markings.
The cab casting is good and a seat is just visible
inside. At the pivot point there is a bank of
hydraulic lines.
The loader mechanism is particularly robust and
additional detail is provided by plastic elements such
as light clusters and other parts around the front
wheels.
The bucket is impressive with good casting detail
including the teeth.
Features
The rear axle oscillates and each wheel turns
independently.
Steering is achieved by movement at the pivot point and
the model can very nearly replicate the angle achieved
by the real loader.
At the rear the grille opens allowing the cooling
equipment to be seen.
The loader mechanism can lift to a realistic height and
the tipping angle of the bucket is excellent. The
cylinders are stiff enough to hold any pose.
Quality
This is a strong heavy model which sets the right tone
bearing in mind the nature of the real machine. The paintwork and graphics
are very good.
Price
The price reflects the high metal content and is
reasonable
value for a limited edition.
Overall
Conrad's Sandvik LH621 Underground Loader is a well made
model. It looks good in Soletanche Bachy colours and is recommended.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in
2009 in Sandvik colours, and this version in Soletanche
Bachy
colours appeared in April 2012 in a run of 250 models.
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|
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|
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| In the box. |
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| Big bucket. |
 |
| View
underneath. |
 |
| Detailed
engine is plastic.
|
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| Various
equipment on the wheel arch.
|
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| At rest. |
 |
|
It can travel
at speed with a full bucket. |
 |
|
Moving in for the dump. |
 |
|
Carried on a big
Goldhofer trailer. |
 |
|
No headroom problems with this one. |
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