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| Liebherr picture
box. |
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| The middle
tray.
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| Instruction
brochure. |
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| Boom and jib
sections make good loads. |
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| The track
frames have lifting points modelled. |
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| Large track
frames. |
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| Walking
platforms have lifting lugs. |
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| Guys are
metal and are really good. |
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| Rigged for
lifting at height.
|
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| Profile view with
a short main boom. |
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| Top of the
derrick with adjustable rams. |
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| Counterweight
trailer added. |
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| Nice details on
the counterweight trailer. |
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| Impressive
complexity. |
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| Very realistic
profile. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr LR 1600/2 Crawler Crane can lift a maximum
of 600 tonnes at a radius of 11m. It can be
configured with a main boom and luffing jib to a maximum
under hook height of around 188m.
The crane can be reduced to transportable components for
transit between worksites.
Packaging
The packaging consists of a very large Liebherr-branded
picture box which wraps three expanded polystyrene
trays. There are many parts and they are
beautifully wrapped and protected, so much so that it
almost seems a shame to unwrap them.
There were no defects or missing
parts on the review model.
There is no information provided about the real crane, but
an instruction brochure for the model is included and this has a
number of pages. It has the parts in the trays
numbered and most are referred to in the assembly
diagrams. Good though it is, it does not do the
model full justice as it does not indicate some of the
configurations that are possible and not all parts are
explained. Also the reeving diagram for the
A-frame is not correct although this has been corrected
in the later version of the manual available as a
download from the NZG website.
Assembly of the crane
components takes a few hours as it has many parts but it
goes together well. The most time consuming part
is reeving and although it is not too difficult it takes
time and patience.
One nice aspect is that NZG has helpfully included
plenty of spares of the smaller parts such as track
links, nuts, bolts and pins.
Detail
The metal track
pads are finely made and are mounted on removable track
frames which include tiny rollers.
Each pad hooks into the next so it is a fiddly job to
re-assemble if they come apart but for all practical
posing positions the system is fine. Details on
the frame are good as well as on the sprockets. A
particularly nice detail is the usable lifting shackles.
Between the tracks self-raising jacks are provided
although they have visible screw threads, and there are
pipes detailed along the frame. The walking
platforms have lifting lugs detailed which is a pleasing
detail.
The clean lines of the crane body are modelled well, and
there is texturing both underneath and on top.
Holes to allow the winch drums to be operated are
reasonably discreet. At the boom foot there are
hydraulic hoses at the slewing motors and a false winch.
Metal handrails and platforms add a busy look.
The operator's cab is high
quality with a good interior. Externally the cab has
lights, aerial, a mirror and windscreen wiper, and
access platforms surround it.
At the rear the counterweight blocks are very nicely made
and the A-frame has metal pulleys with an erection
cylinder included. A nice aspect is the telescopic
rams for pushing the A-frame up during erection although
as a compromise operation of Winch 1 drum by the key is
prevented when the rams are down.
The boom and jib sections are high quality and are
joined by tiny brass nuts and bolts which provide a good
connection. The boom foot includes a couple of winches
and there are walking grilles and metal access platforms
which give a realistic look. Boom sections have
internal bracing and jib sections can be slid inside
boom sections to provide economic transport loads.
At the boom top metal pulleys are used
throughout and the rope retainers are finely engineered. A separate auxiliary
lift head can be attached and it is properly hinged so
it does not carry the weight of the boom when it is
horizontal during erection.
The luffing jib struts are really good with the complex
geometry modelled very well. All of the boom and
jib guys are excellent. They are metal and
look very realistic and are well made to very good
tolerances.
The derrick continues the high quality lattice work and
there are twin rams at the top for tensioning up the
guys to the ballast carrier and the only slight gripe is
the plastic jackets have a mild off-colour
look compared to metal parts.
The counterweight trailer is detailed and well engineered.
Also the wheels look great and that there are access
platforms and ladders.
Two hooks are provided. One is a single pulley, metal,
and well made. The second is a large heavy lift hook
which is very good and is modular
in nature.
Features
The tracks can be rolled but there is too much friction
to work by just pushing the crane along. They are
mounted on spring loaded sprockets and the track frames are
removable allowing them to be used as realistic
transport loads.
Four jacks are provided to support the crane when the tracks
are removed and these screw down. Pads can be
pinned at the ends although the plastic pins supplied
would be stronger in metal.
The erection cylinder on the A-frame can be extended.
The operator's cab tilts to a good angle, and it rotates
in to a transport position.
There are three winches on the crane body. One controls
the A-frame and the other two are used for lifting.
They are controlled by using a key and they are sprung
with a positive brake action which is very smooth. Additional
winches are located on the boom foot and derrick and
they work in the same way.
Winch drum 6 on the boom foot can be lowered for
transport or pinned in an operational position.
The counterweight is configurable at different weights.
The model can be accurately reeved but with large
numbers of rope runs some functions do not unwind
naturally unless there is a load on.
The main hook is modular and can be split in two.
The counterweight trailer rolls well and the wheels can
be set in towing or slewing mode. The main connection
strut to the crane can be set in a variety of lengths
but the plastic pins in the strut are a little too
loose, so it is better to use spare screws from those
provided. The bottom of the access ladder can be
folded out of use - another great touch.
At the top of the derrick the guys to the counterweight
trailer are joined to hydraulic rams which can be set to
the right tension and tightened with locking screws.
Perhaps the best feature of the model is that
it can be configured in so many ways. It splits
down so it makes great transport loads. Erected,
it can be built in many combinations of boom and fly
jib, and with or without the derrick and ballast
carrier. A really nice touch is that the main lift
pulleys are detachable from the lift head and a spare
single set of lift pulleys is also provided to give even
more possibilities.
Quality
This is a very high quality model which is beautifully made
and presented. The engineering is top quality so the
parts fit and function well.
The paint quality is excellent and the graphics are very
good.
Price
This is a very large high quality model and fully is
worth the price.
Overall
NZG has produced another first class crawler crane model
for Liebherr. It has excellent engineering, very
good detail and high quality manufacture which does
justice to the Liebherr ethos. No question
this is an outstanding model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in
Liebherr colours at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2013 and a
version appeared in Mammoet colours at the 2013 BAUMA
Exhibition.
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|
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| The upper tray.
|
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| The lower tray. |
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| It splits into
transportable loads.
|
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| The crane
unloading its own crawler tracks. |
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| Rigged with a
short main boom. |
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| Nicely detailed
cab. |
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| Platforms and
handrails on both sides. |
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| Counterweight
blocks have sharp graphics. |
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| Handrails and
mesh platforms.
|
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| Large hook is
modular and can be split down. |
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| Fully rigged it
is around 2m tall. |
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| Geometry of the
lattice parts is excellent. |
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| Platforms and
ladders. Telescopic strut. |
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| Luffing jib has
walkways and platforms too. |
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| Is it real? |
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