Home Welcome Reviews Editorials/Press Reference Shopping Mall Links Photo Archive Search Contact
CIFA MK28L on Mercedes-Benz Arocs

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  78232
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  March 2018


Conrad Index
Concrete Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 8
Detail   (max 30) 21
Features   (max 20) 15
Quality   (max 25) 20
Price   (max 15) 10
Overall   (max 100) 74%

Footnotes


CIFA MK28L on Mercedes-Benz Arocs Video  [Youku video]
Click to see large photo
CIFA branded box.
Click to see large photo
Profile view.
Click to see large photo
Ladder and platform elements are a bit thick for the scale.
Click to see large photo
Decent chassis detail.
 
Click to see large photo
Grille on the hopper.
Click to see large photo
Reaching high.
Click to see large photo
Placing concrete.


This model is a CIFA MK28L truck mixer concrete pump mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Arocs 8x4 chassis. 

Packaging

The model comes in a CIFA branded box with the model protected by a foam rubber insert. 

The review model had no defects and no missing parts. 

On the back of the box is some technical details about the real machine.  The only assembly required is fitting door mirrors and a roof aerial.

Detail

The chassis detailing at the rear has the axles and suspension modelled in plastic, and at the front the steering is modelled in a functional way.  However, the drive shaft between the engine and the rear axles is missing which is a modelling compromise.  The wheels look very smart and the tyres are the same on each axle. 

The cab has an aerial on the roof, and the lights at the front have plastic lenses.  The Arocs grille looks good.   Inside the cab details are simple.  The mirror built in to the visor and the small door mirror are both unsilvered.

The rear wheel arches are plastic, and at the rear the lights are painted.  The rear stabilisers are modelled, but they are not functional.

The mixer drum is metal with a plastic ring at the rear bearing, with simple graphics.  The drive motor and water tank at the front are also metal as is the access platform at the rear although the handrails are thick. A large beacon light is included at the rear.

The hopper and chute are plastic and there are fixed plastic chute extensions above the rear wheels.  The hopper grille is plastic. 

The placing boom is a strong part made of metal as is the pipework.  Simple CIFA graphics are on one of the boom sections.  There is a plastic hose section at the end of the boom.

Features

The front axles have steering and it is not linked, presumably because of other chassis details.  The model can be posed with a reasonable lock on the steering.

The rear driven axles have a degree of vertical movement to simulate suspension.

This model does not have a tilting cab.

The drum rotates smoothly, and the rear chute can be angled across the hopper.

The outrigger beams can be pulled out and the pads lowered by unscrewing the visible screw threads.

The placing boom is fully articulated with stiff rams so any pose can be set.   It can be rotated fully.

Quality

It has a high metal content and feels robust. 

The paint and graphics are to a good standard.

Price

The model is fair value.

Overall

Conrad has produced a number of this type of model over the years and this one is to the usual standard.  It is well made and robust with good functionality and reasonable detailing.

Footnotes

The model was first delivered to CIFA at the end of  2017.

 
Click to see large photo
Reasonable steering angle.
Click to see large photo
Boom and pipes are metal.
Click to see large photo
Outriggers are tough plastic.
Click to see large photo
Nice  boom and pipework.
 
Click to see large photo
Boom stretched out.