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Liebherr PR 764 Crawler Tractor - Hilti

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  775/03
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  September 2012


NZG Index
Earthmoving Equipment Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)22
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)20
Price   (max 15)12
Overall   (max 100)78%

Footnotes


Liebherr PR 764 Crawler Tractor - Hilti Video.
Liebherr-branded box.
Excellent track frame details.
Underside view showing the pivoting beam linking the track frames.
Blade raises high.
Big ripper assembly is detailed.
Good details around the cab.
Blade and ripper removed.
Without the blade it fits nicely.
Sitting on a Nooteboom trailer.
The PR 764 is the largest dozer in the current Liebherr range and it is also claimed to be the world's largest hydrostatically driven tractor.  It has an operating weight in the range of 44 to 53 tonnes, and has a maximum travel speed of 11km/h.

This model is in the colours of Hilti, a construction company based in Liechtenstein.

Packaging

The model comes in the usual Liebherr-styled box and it is securely held between expanded polystyrene trays.  There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.

No information is provided about the real machine and as the model is complete in the box no assembly is required.  NZG thoughtfully provide some spare track links with the model which is a nice touch.

Detail

The PR 764 is satisfyingly heavy which gives it a very robust feel.

The metal tracks are excellent and very well detailed with each link showing bolt locations.  A particularly nice detail is the oscillating rollers which are beautifully engineered and replicate the real machine in a convincing way.

The body is finely detailed with numerous grab rails and printed grilles, and the cab has slightly tinted windows together with windscreen wipers and lights.  Internal details are good too, with the controls clearly visible.  The exhaust pipe would have looked better if it had a hole rather than appearing solid, but other small details abound including a nice fuel filler cap.

At the rear, there is a heavy duty ripper attachment complete with hydraulic cylinders that have authentic looking hoses.  The ripper looks sharp and businesslike.  The pinned connection of the moving parts is first rate with no unsightly rivets, and this is replicated at the front also.

The semi-U blade looks good with wear plates on the bottom edge, and the top edge has perforations on the sides for driver visibility.  The blade mounting beams are cast well and include textured stepping points.  The hydraulic ram jackets are plastic and well detailed, although the colour match is not quite perfect.

Features

The tracks are stiff but can be made to roll and they are tensioned by spring loaded idlers.  Each track frame is linked and can oscillate to facilitate travel on rough terrain.

The single shank ripper is pinned, allowing three different settings, or it can be fully removed.  It has a reasonable range of movement. 

At the front the blade has a good range of movement up and down, and it also can be angled forward and backwards.  A degree of side-to-side tilt is also possible. 

It would have been good if the blade and ripper were easily removable so the model could be posed in a transport configuration.  In fact it is possible to detach the blade assembly by carefully removing the covers at the rear of the mounting beams and undoing the screws, but it appears NZG has not intended that collectors do this.

Quality

The model is high quality in terms of the manufacture and paintwork and the graphics are of a high standard too.  The Hilti colour scheme looks good.

Price

The model is good value having regard for its limited edition status.

Overall

This is a very nice dozer model and the quality of the model engineering around the tracks is really very good indeed.  The functionality of the model is good and the model is highly recommended.

Footnotes

The model first appeared in prototype form at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2009.  It became available in Liebherr colours in mid 2009.  This version in the colours of Hilti appeared in mid 2012 in a limited run of 300 models.

 
Profile view.
Imposing blade.
Imposing from the back too.
Hilti colour scheme is interesting.
Blade tilts too
Blade has wear plates at the bottom.
The shank is removable, or has three settings.
It's a big heavy tractor.
Large radiator.