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Mercedes-Benz Actros + Doll Short Log Carrier - Hammann

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  72183
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  April 2011


Conrad Index
Special Transport Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)23
Features   (max 20)15
Quality   (max 25)21
Price   (max 15)10
Overall   (max 100)76%

Footnotes


Doll Short Log Carrier - Hammann Video
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Conrad box.
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The parts out of the box.
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Good decoration of the cab.
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The grab folded up and operator's seat folded forward.
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Smart looking truck.
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The underside of the trailer is very simple.
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Ready for the road.
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Lifting a log.
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Loading the trailer.
The German company Doll is a manufacturer of trailers and one of their specialities is vehicles for the transport of timber.  This model is of a short log carrier and is designed for logs up to 7m in length.

The model is in the colours of Paul Hammann, a German log haulier.

Packaging

The model comes in a high quality Conrad presentation box.  The review model had no defects or missing parts.

There is no information provided about the real vehicle or instructions for the model.  The only assembly required is to fit the door mirrors which is easy, and the roof aerials which is fiddly.

Detail

The truck is based on a 6x4 Mercedes-Benz Actros chassis which is detailed underneath with the full drive train modelled.  The hubs and tyres look good and the tyres on the steering axle are wider than those on the driven axles. 

The Actros cab is to Conrad's usual standard with colour coded door mirrors, and there is a nice light bar on the roof.  The graphics on the cab are very good although it would have been nice if it had number plates.

The truck bed has a diamond plated surface and the large deck posts are metal.  Along the driver's side there are storage boxes including the combined tool box and steps at the rear.

At the rear is a Palfinger Epsilon M1202 hydraulic arm fitted with a grab.  The main arm components are metal with the telescopic arm being plastic.  There is a ladder leading to the operator's seat and both these elements are plastic.  The grab itself has metal jaws.  Detail at the base of the grab is very good, but the outriggers are plastic and fairly basic.

The trailer is metal with the mud guards over the wheels and the horizontal elements of the support posts being plastic parts.  Lights at the rear are painted.

The logs which are supplied as the load are excellent although there are not enough to fill the vehicle.  They are real pieces of wood with staining and abrasions to represent felled logs and they look really good loaded on the model. 

To secure the logs elastic strips are supplied but they do not look good and the model poses better without them.

Features

The tractor has excellent steering which allows a really hard lock to be obtained.  The rear axles have a degree of float which represents independent suspension.

The cab tilts to reveal a detailed engine.

The grab outriggers can be extended outwards and rotated, and the pads can be pulled down to provide stability.

The Epsilon arm fully rotates and is articulated to provide a full range of movement.  The two telescopic sections can be pulled out and the grab can be opened and closed and has no problem gripping the supplied logs.  A neat touch is that the operator's seat folds forward for when the vehicle is being driven.

The trailer can be hitched to the truck and the drawbar and axle steering is effective.

Quality

This is a robustly made model up to Conrad's usual standards and is finished well. 

Price

The short log carrier is reasonable value in limited edition colours.

Overall

Conrad has produced another interesting log carrier model and just like the earlier long log carrier it looks great on display with the real logs as loads.  It is highly recommended.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2011.

 
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High quality foam rubber packing.
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The steering angle is excellent.
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Underneath the truck.
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Logs held in place by the uprights.
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Tilting cab.
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Drawbar and axle has good steering.
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Light bar at the rear.
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In travelling configuration.
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It would look good in a logging diorama.
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Paired up with the long log Doll carrier.