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Liebherr HS 855 HD Crawler Crane - Soletanche Bachy

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  728/05
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  October 2013


NZG Index
Crawler Crane Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)9
Detail   (max 30)26
Features   (max 20)15
Quality   (max 25)23
Price   (max 15)10
Overall   (max 100)83%

Footnotes


Liebherr HS 855 HD Crawler Crane - Soletanche Bachy video.
Liebherr box.  The dragline configuration is not included.
The lower tray.
Self- ballasting operation in progress.
Nice crawler tracks and frames.
Excellent colour scheme.
Nice textured walkways on the roof.
Opening doors.
Unloading a Soletanche Bachy container.
Impressive crane.
Profile view.
It can lift the heavy container on a short radius and stay in balance.
Comment on this model.

The Liebherr HS 855 HD is a duty cycle crane which is particular good for repetitive  and demanding activities. 

The machine typically weighs around 90t when in operation and the basic crane body forms a transport load of 59t with the crawlers attached.  As a crane, it can lift up to 90t on the main boom and 25t on the auxiliary jib.

This version of the model is in crane configuration only and is in the colours of Soletanche Bachy, the foundation engineering company within the VINCI Group.

Packaging

It comes in a Liebherr-branded box and the model and its various parts are packed into two expanded polystyrene trays.  The box has a picture of the real crane in dragline configuration but that is not an option with this version of the model.

There were no missing parts or defects on the review model. 

There is no information provided about the real crane, but there are two instruction leaflets for assembling the model and they are in German and English.  A full parts list would have been helpful. 

Assembly of the crane takes a few hours as it has to be reeved and some of the parts are very small so care has to be taken not to lose them.  NZG has helpfully included a bag of spare parts with the model which includes track links, a few nuts and bolts, and other parts.

Detail

The metal tracks are very nicely made and are mounted on removable track frames which include tiny rollers on the lower edge.  Detail is very good with the Liebherr name cast into the main drive sprocket. 

Between the tracks self-raising jacks are provided but the counterweight plates are not, although it looks as though provision has made for them.

The operator's cab is a high quality part.  Internally, the cab has pedals and joysticks replicated.  Externally the cab has lights, aerial, a mirror and windscreen wiper.  Access platforms surround the body.

Detail on the crane body is very good, with grilles and handles contained within the panels.  There is an access ladder to the roof which is plastic but it looks fine.  The roof has a textured surface and there is a plastic exhaust system.  The winches look good nestled within the body. 

A particular strong point of the model is the Soletanche Bachy colour scheme which is very striking.

At the rear the counterweight blocks are very nicely made, and ten 1.5t pieces are provided with the model which provides the maximum optional counterweight of the real machine.  The self raising mechanism is provided with two lift cylinders and chains.

The boom sections are well made and are joined by tiny brass nuts and bolts which provide an effective connection.  The boom foot has a tagline winch to facilitate a clamshell operation, but this is not used on this version of the model.

At the boom top a variety of metal pulleys are provided and a separate auxiliary jib can be attached for crane operation and this is another high quality part.

The boom pendants consist of metal wire with crimped loops on each end, and connection pieces.  Overall they look effective and the working equaliser balances out the tension in both pendants.

Two hooks are provided for crane operation.  One is a simple single line headache ball, although this is not the shape of a typical Liebherr hook.  The second is a three fall hook block which looks to be a version of a Liebherr 50t block. 

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. 

An additional unsupported feature of the model is that they are removable by removing the cover plates on the frames and undoing a couple of screws, so a reduced weight transport mode can be posed. 

Four jacks are provided to support the crane when the tracks are removed and these screw down.

The operator's cab tilts to a good angle.  The exhaust stack on the roof rotates which means it can be folded for transport which is a nice feature.

There are three winches on the model.  One controls the boom and the other two are used for lifting.  They are controlled by using the supplied keys through opening doors on each side of the model.  They all have effective positive brakes which are released by pushing in with the tool, and the winches work very nicely.

The counterweight is fully detachable and configurable at different weights.  Special clips are provided to stop the small blocks toppling over and these are reasonably effective.

The model can be configured in a variety of boom lengths.  The review model had insufficient thread on the boom luffing winch to fully lower it to pose in a realistic transport mode although a skilled collector could correct this. 

Fully erected the crane stands 24in / 60cm high.

Quality

This is a very high quality model which is beautifully made.  It is also highly engineered with special care taken to produce a precision model. 

The paint quality is excellent and the graphics are very good.

Price

This is a top quality model and is therefore very good value for money.

Overall

This is a first class crawler crane model which sets a very high standard for engineering.  It looks very good in Soletanche Bachy colours and poses really well with other models in the same colour scheme.  Although it does not include the dragline bucket (presumably as Soletanche Bachy do not carry out this type of work) it is another outstanding version of the Liebherr HS 855 HD.

Footnotes

The model first appeared in Liebherr colours at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2009 and reached dealers in May 2009.  This version in Soletanche Bachy colours appeared in 2013 in a run of 300 models.


 
TThe upper tray.
Posed with the A frame as low as it would go on the review model.
Boom and pendant geometry is excellent.
Exhaust pipe folds up.
Undercarriage jack is visible.
Detailed cab.
Boom sections, bolts and pendants are top quality.
Two hooks.
On site with other piling equipment.
Very nice Soletanche Bachy collector's items.