 | | Liebherr style box. |  |  | | Very nice details including guards on the lights. |  | | Perforated exhaust muffler and hydraulic hosing adds to the detail. |  | | Turning angle is faithful to the original. |  | | Opening tailgate works well. |  | | Loaded on a Doll trailer. |  | | Being loaded by a CASE CX800. |
| The BAUMA exhibition of 2010 saw Liebherr debut its long awaited entry into the articulated dump truck market. The truck is designated the TA 230 and can carry a 30 tonne payload.
Packaging
The TA 230 comes in the standard Liebherr style box and it is securely packed within two expanded polystyrene trays. Although there is a photo of the real machine, there is no other information about it. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
There are no instructions provided with the model but there are only a couple of handrails and mirrors to fit, and this is easy enough.
Detail
The detail underneath the model is good with the transmission and suspension components modelled well, albeit in plastic, although the plastic does allow some finer detailing. The tyres have a nice deep tread and they are mounted on plastic hubs.
The cab styling is really good with excellent tiny mesh grilles on the headlights and a perforated cover on the exhaust stack. Hand rails and mirror holders are metal. There is a nice pair of beacon lights on the roof and another mesh screen on the rear window. The detail inside the cab is quite good too.
The articulated joint between the dump bed and the cab is very good, and there are plenty of hydraulic lines running to the dump bed lift cylinders.
The dump bed is solidly made and detailing within the casting is quite good, and it has stiff plastic mud flaps on the leading edge. An interesting feature of the model is the dump body tailgate which is an option on the real machine. This is made of metal and is in the silver colour of the first production machines.
Features
The model features working suspension which is very effective. It has pivoting rear axles which allow a good range of movement. There is also springing on the front axle and this is very smooth and nice to operate.
The steering angle is very good across the pivot point, and rotational movement is also excellent allowing full 360° rotation if you want it!
The dump bed tilts to a steep angle and the hydraulic cylinders are stiff enough to hold any pose. The opening tailgate also works very well.
Quality
This is a typical high quality robust Conrad model. It is very well made and the paintwork and graphics are very nice. Where plastic is used, it has been applied without spoiling the look of the model.
Price
The model is reasonably priced considering its metal content and quality.
Overall
It is good to see that Conrad are still being commissioned to produce models for Liebherr and they have executed the TA 230 very well. Collectors of earthmoving equipment will appreciate this model and it is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the BAUMA exhibition in April 2010. The version presented at BAUMA was produced in limited numbers. A second updated version was produced later in 2010 which had a different design of the engine hood. A third version appeared in early 2011 and is reviewed here.
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|  | | The model and parts out of the box. |  | | Strong tread pattern on the tyres. |  | | Underside view. |  | | 'HOW CAN YOU TURN IT OVER ON A FLAT SURFACE LIKE THIS?'. Excellent articulation of the body. |  | | The tipping angle is very good. |  | | It looks great on a low loader. |
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