 | | Conrad box. |  |  | | The MAN tractor. The hitch pin at the front is removable. |  | | Underneath view. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Set up with three modules for towing a large fabrication. |  | | Assembling the girder frame using a Liebherr LTF1030. |  | | Completed girder frame resting on the front modules. |  | | The assembly towers above a member of the Cranes Etc team. |  | | There is a significant range of tilt movement available. |  | | This set up is in a shorter configuration to suit the particular load. |
| This is a model of a large girder frame trailer produced in the colours of Allelys, a UK heavy haulage specialist. It uses Goldhofer module trailers and a heavy structural frame to provide a special transport solution to very heavy loads such as transformers and other industrial equipment.
Packaging
The model comes in a fairly large Conrad style box with the model and its many parts securely held within two foam rubber layers which give it a presentation quality feeling. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
There are a large number of components and a good colour double-sided sheet of instructions is provided which gives a clear pictorial description of how it fits together and some of the various configurations possible. It is straightforward to assemble and the only thing a collector has to realise is that to lift the frame clear of the ground is the main pairs of lift cylinders on each end have to be opened up.
It would have been nice if some information about the real trailer and the Allelys company had been included.
Detail
The tractor unit is a typically heavy Conrad model as there is little plastic used. Underneath, the transmission and suspension is mostly modelled, although the linked steering mechanism is rather obtrusive. The wheels are very good, with different width tyres split between the driven and steering axles. The hubs have really nice detailing of the wheel nuts.
The driving cab looks great, with colour coded mirrors, and good lights. The hitch at the front has a removable pin which is a pleasing detail. Behind the cab, the tanks and equipment are all modelled in metal and feels very solid. An excellent mesh fan casing sits on top. The stepping plate and wheel arches are metal and have convincing surface textures.
The ballast box is also a metal part, and it has two spare wheels and a removable plastic cover which is moulded to look like tarpaulin. The overall decoration of the tractor unit is very good and it looks very pleasing on its own. There are some detail differences compared to the real MAN tractor used by Allelys, with the shape of the ballast box cover being the most obvious, but overall most collectors will be satisfied.
The four 4-line Goldhofer module units are very solidly made with a thick deck plate, and underneath, the structural frame is strongly represented. Each axle unit consists of four tyres so there are 32 tyres on each module. The suspension components are plastic but the colour match is good so it does not detract from how the model looks. Each unit has a hydraulic ram modelled. Two different drawbars are included and there is a light bar that can be fixed on the rearmost module. The girder frames are all metal and satisfyingly heavy and solid. The main end supports have a well detailed structure with plastic hydraulic lines to the main lift cylinders and this gives the model a complex and convincing look. The girder frame elements are robust metal sections which are pinned together with large plastic bolts. Separate plastic cross beams link the two frames for rigidity, and they are supplied in four different lengths to enable different trailer widths to be set up.
Features
The MAN tractor has linked steering on the front two axles and these permit quite a good range of movement. At the rear, the driven axles float independently to give a reasonable range of suspension movement. The driving cab tilts forward and there is a detailed engine underneath. The ballast box is removable so the tractor can be used to tow a conventional trailer.
The Goldhofer axle units have an extraordinary range of movement up and down and side to side so they represent the real machine's ability to traverse rough terrain very well. For steering, the bogies are linked together fully. Overall, the steering is good, with a degree of proportionality between the lines and reasonable lock can be obtained even if it is not to the extremes that the real units can achieve.
The modular nature of the Goldhofer units mean that they can be joined in series using all four modules if desired, and with two different drawbar options.
The girder frame components are very flexible and can be assembled a number of different ways. In addition to the four different widths, five different lengths can be constructed, and in fact you can also have a 'zero length' bed by leaving out all of the longitudinal beams. Another very good feature is that the girder frame can tilt from side-to-side to even out uneven ground conditions.
Quality
Conrad have produced a high quality model, where the model engineering is to their usual high standards. The high metal content gives it a particularly robust and solid feel. The paint and finish is very good, the graphics are fine, and these combine to make a striking model.
Price
The model is not cheap but it has a quality feel and presentation which does not disappoint.
Overall
This is a great looking model and when assembled in its maximum configuration it is around 1.1m long which makes it a striking and impressive display piece. The great thing is the flexibility it offers with very many possible combinations able to be set up. The build quality is very high making this is a very good heavy haulage model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2009.
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|  | | The top layer with the parts nicely nestled in high quality foam. |  | | The bottom layer. |  | | Rear view of the tractor. The ballast box is removable. |  | | Excellent detail behind the cab. |  | | One of the four Goldhofer modules. This one has a tow bar attached. |  | | The girder frame is easily supported above the ground. |  | | Towing one half of the girder frame. |  | | The support mechanism. |  | | The full set up turning. |  | | Carrying a Meccano 'equipment box'. |  | | The trailer set up in a short and narrow configuration. It is carrying a massive piece of Lego. |
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