 | | High quality picture box. |  |  | | Front view showing the steering at maximum lock. |  | | Rear end. |  | | The cab tilts - but not much. |  | | The boom being raised. |  | | The pump waiting for a truck mixer so it can be primed. |  | | The Cranes Etc team at work pouring a floor slab on a contract they have won to build something or other. |
| The M46-5 concrete pump from the German company Putzmeister has, as the name suggests, a 46m five section boom. It can deliver concrete within a swept profile of around 40m horizontally and vertically upwards, and 30m below the level of the pump. The nominal output of the pump is 160m³/h and the overall machine weighs 36t. This modelled version of the M46-5 has a pump with an S transfer tube.
Packaging
The Putzmeister box has some good photos and a variety of interesting technical data about the machine. Inside the model is securely protected within foam, and the only assembly required is to attach the wing mirrors to the driving cab.
The review model had no defects or missing pieces.
Detail
The chassis is modelled with prop shafts and differentials, and the rear axle assembly has large leaf springs detailed. Other visible details include the underside of the engine block and the fuel tank. The rubber tyres are good quality road tyres with nice treads, and these are mounted on plastic hubs. These hubs are really good however, with fine details, although they are perhaps a little too shiny.
At the front is a standard Mercedes-Benz Actros cab which has the normal windscreen wiper and wing mirror details. The headlights are painted whereas simple plastic lenses would have looked better. Interior details are fine and perhaps an orange beacon light would have added to the detail.
The front outriggers are two stage and appear to made of a metal outer section containing the leg and pad, and a plastic inner section. The colour match is excellent to the rest of the model so the use of plastic does not detract from the look of the model. The rear outriggers are large metal constructions and all four pads are plastic, mounted on screw threads. The legs would have benefitted from some warning markers like the real machine.
The rest of the body is very good with a relatively high level of detail for a Conrad model. Body panels have detail within the casting, the deck surface is textured to represent a non-slip walkway, and there is convincing pipe work and piston chambers. Side fenders protecting the fuel tank are plastic. At the rear there is a large plastic engine block and the concrete hopper is excellent with a lid, screen and exit pipe work. The stop lights on the back are made of tiny plastic lenses and are much better than just paint. The boom is a very nice piece of modelling particularly as it is in metal. This includes the concrete pipes themselves and this overall leads to a very favourable impression. A short length of black plastic discharge hose completes the model.
Features
The two axles at the front are joined together and steer in tandem and can produce a reasonable lock although at the extreme the tyres foul the mudguards. The rear two axles have a form of floating suspension so each axle can tilt independently. In fact the mechanism employed gives a significant amount of movement in each axle so an impressive rough terrain pose can be adopted.
The front cab tilts to reveal the engine but the range of movement is very limited. The concrete hopper has a nice opening lid.
For stability all outriggers can be opened up and the pads screwed down to provide support. Even though the boom is metal there is no tendency for the model to tip over which is a relief. The boom opens and rotates and the range of articulation present in the original machine can be replicated on the model.
Quality
This is a good quality model. The castings are fine and contain detail where appropriate. Where plastic is used it is without detriment to the overall quality and the paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is good value for the quality and features offered.
Overall
As a more recent offering from the Conrad stable it is reassuring to see an improved level of detail and quality coming through, and that Conrad can continue to compete against the more detailed models being produced in China.
This is a very good quality pump model which is nicely detailed and the metal boom adds to the good feeling about the model. Whether it is posed being transported, or used as a pump, this is a recommended model for the collector.
Footnotes
The model was first announced on the Conrad website in Summer 2007
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|  | | The model wrapped in its foam insert. |  | | The only parts that need fitting are door mirrors. |  | | A profile view. 'ergonic' refers to the Putzmeister electronic control system for boom and pump. |  | | Some good detailing underneath. |  | | Outriggers extended. |  | | An opening lid on the hopper. |  | | Excellent boom construction complete with metal pipes. |  | | Concrete being fed to the pump by a Liebehrr HTM 704. |
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