 | | Unusual box style for a Liebherr model. |  |  | | Rear view. |  | | The model is pleasing overall. |  | | It is a good load for the Nooteboom Pendel X Low Loader. |  | | The blade is slightly wide in transport configuration as it does not have the folding tips of the real blade. |
| The Liebherr PR724 Crawler Tractor is a dozer in the 20 tonne weight range. It has a blade capacity between 3.1-4.3m³ and has a hydrostatic travel drive.
Packaging
The model comes in unusual box for a Liebherr model. Rather than the normal house style it comes in a windowed box of the type typically used by Norscot for Caterpillar models. It also is secured to the clear inside former by the ties that Norscot like to use and as always patience is required to free the model.
The box is silent on information about the real machine and this is a missed opportunity to provide some additional value with the model.
Detail
Although the PR724 is not large, it feels satisfyingly heavy. The metal tracks are very nicely made and they are mounted on track frames which have some good detailing.
The cab area is all metal and the detail level is high with windscreen wipers and lights. It is surrounded by grab rails which look good even though they are plastic. Inside, the cab is detailed with an operator's seat and the controls are modelled.
Behind the cab the connections for fitting a ripper attachment are rendered, but not in a usable form so collectors wishing to add a self made ripper will have to make their own connection mechanism. The rear towing hitch is also not usable.
On one side of the cab there is a nice fuel filling pipe. The engine cover is another fine piece of accurate modelling with grab rails and warning triangles. The radiator grille is convincing, and there is a chrome exhaust stack although it is solid and does not have a hole at the top which detracts a little.
The blade assembly is very good. The two lift cylinders are very well detailed with hydraulic lines emerging at the top. At the blade, the cylinders are metal and pleasingly all the rivets in this area are painted so the overall effect in this area is really nice. The blade itself has anti wear plates modelled at the bottom.
Features
The tracks roll fairly freely on the frames although unusually none of the sprockets is spring loaded so removing the tracks is not so straightforward.
The six-way blade has the full range of movement. It goes up and down and can be set at an angle on either side. It is also possible to set a very small degree of tilt although it is a little stiff to achieve this.
Quality
This is perhaps a surprisingly good small model. It feels solid and well made with very little plastic, and the paintwork and graphics are fine.
Price
It is very good value for money.
Overall
Earthmoving model collectors will be pleased with this model. It is well made and offers a lot for the competitive price and it is easily a recommended model.
Footnotes
This version is an update to a previous less detailed version which had plastic tracks. It first appeared in 2008.
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|  | | Posed with the blade raised. |  | | Nice detailing with rivet heads painted. |  | | Very good tracks and frames. |  | | Detailed cab area. |
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