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| Liebherr style
box. |
 |
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| Rear view. Strong tread pattern
on the tyres. |
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| Hydraulic
lines. |
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| It is a good
looking truck. |
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| Chassis detail. |
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| 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. |
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| Handrails and
mirrors clip on. Very nice details
including guards on the lights. |
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| Underside view.
|
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| Perforated exhaust
cover adds to the detail.
|
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| The tipping angle
is very good and the opening tailgate
works well. |
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| Turning angle is
faithful to the original. |
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| 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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