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| Profile view. |
 |
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| Much of the large
box is in fact air but the leader dictates the size.
|
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| Liebherr name
embossed at the rear. |
 |
| Detailed cab.
|
 |
| Roof detail is
very good too.
|
 |
| At the top of the
leader, there is a working auxiliary winch and excellent
detailing.
|
 |
| Impressive
model. |
 |
| Detailed track
frames. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr
LRB 255 is an 80t machine with a maximum 30m leader length
(the leader is the vertical 'rail' on which the piling equipment
slides). In the base configuration the model is equipped for driving
sheet piles with a 40VM vibrator.
This version of the model is in the colours of
Soletanche Bachy, the foundation engineering company
within the
VINCI Group.
Packaging
It comes in a large Liebherr branded box. Inside, the model is held in two
expanded polystyrene trays with the top section also containing
a plastic base for the model to be displayed upon.
The model is well wrapped and packed and there was no
defects or missing parts on the review model.
An instruction sheet is provided which is in German and
English and has excellent photos. Helpfully the instructions
are professional and pretty good. Out of the box there
are relatively few separate pieces and spare pins are
supplied with the model.
Detail
There is no detail underneath the model, but this is
made up for on the track frames. They have good detail
and include working rollers. The drive sprockets are
also good containing the name 'Liebherr' in the
casting. The tracks are metal and are made up of fine delicate
links which are mounted on spring loaded sprockets so they
keep a good tension.
Detailing on the body is generally excellent. The
operator's cab has textured access platforms, a windscreen
wiper and rear view mirror, and a fine metal grab rail.
The roof has a plastic cab guard and is enhanced by small
lights and an aerial. Inside the cab, detail is also
good with shaped joysticks and pedals visible. Moving
behind the cab the body panels are finely detailed with
door handles and grilles.
At the rear of the body the Liebherr name is embossed in
the casting of the counterweight. Moving around the
body, there is a good metal access platform and ladder and
another rear view mirror towards the front. The
Soletanche Bachy colour scheme and graphics look really
nice.
At roof level the model excels with excellent metal guides
for the hoses which are used when the machine is transported.
There is a very good exhaust system modelled and good grille
structures. The leader and support structures are
first rate. Nearly all the components are metal with
the only exceptions being the hydraulic cylinder jackets
and part of the supporting frame. Some of
the plastic cylinder jackets have moulded pipe work which
is a nice touch.
The leader is dead straight and has circular holes
as per the original. At the base is a metal foot and
at the top the winch details are top notch. The slides
which allow the leader to be moved for transport and the
universal slide for the piling vibrator are metal and work
very well. The pulleys in the leader top appear to
be metal. Various hoses complete the complex look
of the model.
The vibrator tool is a very heavy solid piece and has two
plastic pile clamps which is just as well so they do not
scratch the paint off the supplied sheet piles. An
unusual feature is the plastic base which comes with the
model. It has grooves for inserting the model sheet
piles so an effective display can be produced. The
base also features a couple of pop out round holes for
the separate accessory pack including
auguring equipment.
Features
The tracks work well although are a little stiff due to
the tension they are under. They are mounted on extendible
frames so the tracks can be pulled out in operating mode
and can be pushed in to narrow the width for transport purposes.
Within the body of the model three working winches are present
although only one is used in sheet piling mode. Operating
the winches is achieved by using a supplied key and access
is gained through opening doors in the bodywork, one on
the operator's cab side and two on the other side.
Two of the winches work by pushing in on the key which disengages
a brake and allows free rotation. These winches are
spring loaded such that the brake is re-engaged when the
key is withdrawn. They work really well and all model
winches should be designed this way. The third winch
is the more usual friction variety. At the top of
the leader is another working auxiliary winch which has
a small hook and chain attached.
All the sliding parts on the leader work well. To
ensure the leader can be placed in a true vertical position
In working mode there is a complex working slide mechanism
which is an excellent piece of model engineering.
The vibrator can be mounted on the universal slide with
or without having sheet piles attached. The pile clamps
are removable from the vibrator and can also slide in order
to enable the clamps to be fixed at the right position.
Care has to be exercised if the vibrator is near the top
of the leader as it makes the model somewhat top heavy due
to the weight of the vibrator unit.
A particular feature is that the model can be displayed
in working or transport configuration. The model makes
a great transport load and it is only a pity that the footplates
for the cab and access ladder do not fold in or detach for
transportation. It would also have been superb if
the counterweight at the rear had been removable as in the
real machine.
Quality
The overall impression of this model is highly favourable.
It is very detailed and the quality of the model engineering
is very good. The use of plastic has been minimised
and the castings leave no cause for complaint.
Paintwork
and graphics are also of a high standard.
Price
For what is offered the model is very good value.
Overall
NZG and Liebherr have produced a
very good model. Collectors will be very pleased with
it and there are hardly any gripes at all. The quality
of the engineering and manufacture sets a high standard. As an item to display it looks
really good on a low loader or standing on the base driving
sheet piles.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in
Liebherr colours at
the BAUMA Equipment Exhibition in April 2007 and appeared at retailers in June
2007. An
accessory kit includes auger attachments. This
version in Soletanche Bachy colours was made in a run of
300 models and appeared at the end of 2012.
|
|
|
|
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| Colourful Liebherr
picture box. |
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| Complex model
engineering.
|
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| Metal sheet
piles add to the overall look. |
 |
| Plastic base
gives a ready-made posing option.. |
 |
| The vibrator is
heavy. The pile clamps at the bottom are on slides.
|
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| Complex engineering
of the leader support. |
 |
| Opening doors
provide access to the winches. |
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| It makes a very
good low loader load. |
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| All on board and
ready to go. |
|
