 | | Liebherr style box. |  |  | | Rear view. Strong tread pattern on the tyres. |  | | Hydraulic lines. |  | | It is a good looking truck. |  | | Chassis detail. |  | | Excellent articulation of the body. At least this is one way to get to service underneath. |
| 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.
The model was developed in parallel with the real truck and it has been subject to change since the first version was introduced at BAUMA. This is the third version of the model and this review is an update to the review of the first version.
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 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. The second and this third version of the model have an amended design of the front end. 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. On this third version of the model the link bars which open the tailgate are of an amended design.
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
Conrad have executed the TA 230 very well and it is interesting to see a model go through design changes as the real machine evolves. 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 and was produced in limited numbers. A second updated version was produced later in 2010 which had a different design of the engine hood. This third version with amended tailgate beams appeared in January 2011.
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|  | | Profile view. |  | | Handrails and mirrors clip on. Very nice details including guards on the lights. |  | | Underside view. |  | | Perforated exhaust cover adds to the detail. |  | | The tipping angle is very good and the opening tailgate works well. |  | | Turning angle is faithful to the original. |  | | The first version of the truck with the amendments highlighted. The front was amended in version 2 and the tailgate beams in version 3. |
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