 | | Large suspension cylinders on the rear axle work. |  |  | | Tipper body lifts fully. |  | | Engine detail visible below the cab bridge. |  | | Imposing front view. |
| This model is a version of one of the largest mining trucks in the world which weighs in at around 240 tonnes. It first appeared under the older designation of KL 2450.
Packaging
The model is packed in a large polystyrene box with a picture sleeve in the usual Liebherr style. There is no assembly required and so no instructions are needed. The review model was undamaged.
Detail
The first impression of the model is that it is a solid piece of work both in terms of its look and weight.
The tyres are large hollow rubber, not solid, and they look quite good. Wheel hubs are however plastic and this is a slight disappointment.
Turning to the front end of the model, the stairs and hand railings are modelled well although detail would be enhanced by dropping the stair frame down a rung at the bottom. Inclusion of appropriate wing mirrors would have added to the detail. Looking through the frame of the body, an engine block is modelled and painted in silver. The grille at the front is a plastic piece and whilst this looks alright a metal arrangement would be much more pleasing. A fire extinguisher completes the detail at the front.
The tipper body itself is a big and heavy casting with good structural frame details as present on this version of the machine. Two large rubber mud flaps and drop down bars between the rear tyre pairs complete the under body detail.
Features
The front steering has a heavy linkage between the two wheels and is a very robust mechanism which allows a good lock to be obtained. A particular feature of the wheels is the heavy duty working suspension on the model. The front wheels are sprung independently with large cylinders whereas the back wheels are fixed and the whole drive axle is sprung. Pushing down on the springs requires considerable force and this adds to the rugged feel of the model.
The tipping mechanism on the body is similarly heavy duty consisting of dual three stage cylinders which allow the model to be displayed with the body at any desired angle without any danger of cylinder bleed.
Quality
The model looks particularly solid. The quality of casting is good but perhaps with one or two areas where metal instead of plastic would have significantly enhanced the model. Paintwork is also good although the application of the graphics on the review model was not of the highest quality.
Price
The model represents reasonable value for the size and weight.
Overall
An impressive model which would be further improved by replacing some of the plastic parts with metal, and providing a higher level of detail. It is a particularly good pairing with the R996 model (Conrad model 2811).
Footnotes
The model was introduced in 1998. The model was discontinued in 2005 when it was replaced by Conrad model 2727, the Liebherr T282B Mining Truck.
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|  | | Impressive size compared to a man. |  | | Heavy tipper body structure. |  | | Massive underside construction. |  | | It pairs very well with a Liebherr R996. |
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