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| Conrad box.
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Smart graphics.
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| Equipment tower
at the rear is almost all metal. |
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| Underside view. |
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| Under a module unit. |
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| Good detail
under the gooseneck. |
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| Painted rear
light array. |
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| Heavy
connections to the frame. |
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| Loaded with a
Soilmec
SR70. |
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| No sagging of
the bed. |
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| Unloading the
SR70. |
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| Hauling a large
fermentation tank. |
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| Short
configuration - deck hooked directly to the gooseneck. |
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Balmer is a German heavy haulage company which was
founded in 1988 and is based near the city of Schwerin.
It specialises in the movement of heavy loads and has
also moved many wind turbine loads.
This model is an exclusive model by Heavy Transport
Models (HTM) and is made for them by Conrad. It includes a powerful Mercedes Benz tractor and
a configurable Goldhofer trailer in Balmer colours.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard 'Conrad Collection' box
with the model and its many parts securely held within
black foam
rubber which gives it a nice professional feel.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
There are a number of components and a black and white
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.
There is no information supplied about Balmer or the real
vehicle.
Detail
The Mercedes Benz Titan tractor unit has relatively little plastic used.
Underneath, the transmission and suspension is mostly
modelled, with the main prop shaft missing because of
the large linked steering mechanism. The wheels are
very good, with different width tyres split between the
driven and steering axles. The hubs have nice detailing
of the wheel nuts.
The cab impresses with good lights and colour coded mirrors.
There is a nice light bar on the roof and aerials,
beacon lights and air horns add detail. The decoration
is smart with some very small graphics and is copied
from the 'White Lady' real tractor although it is a pity
that the number plate is not provided. Under the
cab is a reasonable plastic engine.
Behind the cab, the various tanks and the radiator are modelled in metal and feel
very solid.
The wheel arches are plastic.
The two Goldhofer modules are of similar
construction.
They have very strong metal surfaces and structural
frames, and each set of wheels is mounted on a plastic
support which includes a working cylinder. They
are painted in Goldhofer blue with a yellow stripe painted down the deck edges.
The gooseneck is a heavy piece and is modelled well with various
cylinders and wheel chocks underneath. The headboard and side
panels are metal with a nice metal hand railing.
The casting details are very good with fine details.
The support beams for the bed are metal and feel strong.
A series of metal adaptors is provided to allow
different configurations. Plastic deck surface
sections can be placed between the beams or
alternatively plastic span rods can be used to maintain
the separation of the beams.
A clip-on light bar with painted details can be
attached at the rear of the trailer.
Features
The Mercedes tractor has linked steering on the front
two axles and these permit a small range of movement
before fouling on the wheel arches. However they
can be forced to give a hard lock which is fine for
posing the model. At the rear, the
driven axles float independently to give some suspension movement.
The cab tilts
forward and can be posed in a tilted position.
A second towing hitch can be fitted at the rear, but it
sticks out and fouls the trailer gooseneck so it is best
left off.
The Goldhofer modules have axles with a very good range of
movement up and down and side to side to represent
suspension. The steering mechanism works well with
various axle lines linked together, and when turned they
have a degree of proportionality in how they move.
The real flexibility of the model is the large number of
possible configurations. The axle units can be
coupled in various ways. They can be separately
attached to the gooseneck, or joined to make a
continuous seven axle line.
The deck beam components are adjustable for length and
width, and either deck sections or three different
lengths of width spacer beams can be used. The deck can
be attached to the module units or directly to the
gooseneck.
When stretched out to the maximum
length the whole model is around 65cm long.
Quality
As usual, the Conrad quality is high and the model is
strong and robust with a high metal content. The
Balmer livery is good and the applied graphics are sharp.
Price
The model is a little pricey but it is a very limited
edition.
Overall
HTM have commissioned an unusual livery and the model
has been made Conrad up to their usual quality standards.
The flexibility of the model means it can be posed many
ways. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The Balmer livery was made in a limited run of only 90
models.
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| The parts rest in high quality foam. |
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The bed extended for width. |
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| Steering angle
can be forced to a hard lock.
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| Light bar on
the roof but no number plate. |
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| Fifth wheel is
fixed in position. |
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| Tilting cab
goes to a good angle. |
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| Metal handrail
on the gooseneck. |
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| Yellow stripe
down the trailer edges. |
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| Smart wheel
hubs.
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| Impressive with
a suitable load. |
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| Stretched out
in spine beam configuration. |
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| Ready to unload.
A Terex AC 500
stands by. |
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| Short
configuration - module units only. |
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