 |
| Liebherr
branded box.
|
 |
 |
| Metal
grab rails. |
 |
| Decent turning
angle. |
 |
| Plastic
steering pistons. |
 |
| Nicely modelled
grilles. |
 |
| Good carry
angle. |
 |
| Extreme lift
height. |
 |
| Being unloaded. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr L 538 is a wheel loader with an operating
weight of around 13 tonnes. It has a bucket
capacity of 2.3 - 6.5m³.
Packaging
The model comes in a Liebherr-branded box and inside the model is protected within
foam rubber.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review
model.
No instructions are provided and there is no information
about the real machine. Two door mirrors have to be
fitted.
Detail
The transmission is modelled underneath with a plastic
drive shaft which flexes as the model steers. The large tyres have a good tread
pattern and are mounted on detailed wheels.
The handrails and grab rails are metal and are
reasonably
thin enough to look good, and there are stairs with textured
non-slip surfaces. The cab has window
seals, wipers as applied graphics, and the door mirrors
have silvered surfaces. Inside the detail is good with
identifiable controls.
The engine compartment has nicely formed grilles
including the mesh grille made in plastic. At
the rear there are painted lights and sharp graphics
including a warning sign.
At the front the wheel arches carry plastic chocks, and
the light stalks are good with highlighted amber
indicators. The centre pivot point has plastic
steering pistons.
The
Z-frame loader mechanism is modelled well but there are
no hydraulic hoses on the model.
The metal bucket is a decent casting.
Features
The wheels roll well and the rear axle floats with a
good range of movement.
Steering at the centre pivot point is a little loose but
it achieves a realistic angle.
The loader mechanism is very good. It can hold any
pose and probably over-achieves on height. The tipping
angle on the bucket is very good and a realistic low
carry angle can be achieved.
Quality
The model is well made with a reasonably high metal content.
The paintwork is good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
The model is priced competitively.
Overall
This is a good quality model which has functionality as
its main strength and it the loader arm is particularly
good in this regard. Although some more detailing
would have added to make a more realistic appearance, it is highly
recommended.
Footnotes
This model first appeared at the
Nuremberg Toy Fair 2014.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Smaller-sized
machine. |
 |
| Wheels are
good. |
 |
| Flexing drive
shaft. |
|
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| No hydraulic
hoses.
|
 |
| One for the
road. |
 |
| Loading a
tipper Truck. |
|
