 | | Liebherr branded box. |  |  | | Very nice wheels and bucket. |  | | Lights and graphics at the rear are very good. |  | | Metal handrails are very good. |  | | Travelling with sand. |  | | Loading a road truck. |  | | Very good bucket height. |  | | Big log handler. |  | | Metal forks. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Liebherr L 556 is a wheel loader with an operating weight of around 18 tonnes. It has a bucket capacity of 2.8 - 10m³.
This model version has the industrial lift arm configuration.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard Liebherr-branded box with the model packed within good quality foam rubber.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
No instructions are provided and there is no information about the real machine. Two door mirrors have to be fitted and this is an easy task. Two separate tools can be fitted as required.
Detail
The axles are metal and the tyres have a good tread pattern and are mounted on detailed plastic wheels.
The stairs up to the cab and walkways have textured non-slip walking surfaces. On both sides there are realistically thin metal handrails which are high quality. The cab has window seals, wipers as applied graphics, and metal grab rails on top. Inside the cab the detail is good.
The engine compartment has excellent see-through grilles and interior shapes hint at the engine inside. Soft plastic forms the edges of the rear wheel arches which is a nice detail.
At the rear there are painted lights and sharp graphics, and the video camera is modelled. The exhaust is replicated with a realistic hole.
At the front the plastic wheel arches have wheel chocks and separate soft mud flaps. The centre pivot point has the front axle drive shaft modelled and the steering ram pistons are visible, but there are no hydraulic hoses. The industrial lift arm mechanism is modelled mainly in plastic but it looks good, and has a plate to clip on tools.
Three tools are provided. The bucket is a nice metal casting with a good weight and feel. The log handler is also high quality. It is all metal except the hydraulic ram cylinder jackets. The forks are also metal and the only slight downside is that as they are a tight fit on their holder, it is easy for some paint to be scraped off.
Features
The wheels roll very smoothly and the front axle is fixed while the rear axle floats with a good range of movement.
Steering at the centre pivot point is loose and achieves a realistic angle.
The loader mechanism is very good. It can hold any pose and reaches a realistic height. The tipping angle is very good and the three tools clip on easily.
The log handler opens widely and closes fully.
The forks can be removed or positioned laterally along the fork carrier.
Quality
Conrad has produced a high quality model which has a good metal content and an appropriate use of plastic.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is good value considering the additional tools included.
Overall
This is an interesting model which is considerably enhanced by the variety of tools provided which provide additional flexibility. The Liebherr 556 is a very well executed model by Conrad.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at BAUMA 2013.
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|  | | Various parts bags. |  | | Grille behind the cab is metal. |  | | Axles look good. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Cab detail is good. |  | | Very good tipping angle. |  | | Good load for a truck. |  | | Poses well being transported. |  | | Shifting logs. |  | | Moving a drum. The pallet is not included with the model. |
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