 |
| Liebherr branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Access stair
positioned down. |
 |
| Big track
frames. |
 |
| Yes. It
is big. |
 |
| Cab with sun
shades. |
 |
| Massive
hydraulics. |
 |
| Waiting for the
haul truck. |
 |
| At work. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr R 9400 is a large mining excavator and this
version of the model is in the shovel configuration.
It has an operating weight of around 353 tonnes and it
has a bucket capacity of 22m³. It is ideally suited to
loading mining trucks in the 150 and 190 tonne class.
Packaging
The model comes in a Liebherr branded box, with a photo
of the real machine on it. Inside the box are two large
expanded polystyrene trays, and the model is secured to
the lower tray by an unusual screw system. An
instruction sheet describes how to unpack the model and
the screw system certainly beats undoing twist ties.
There model had a missing windscreen wiper, but this was
quickly supplied and was easy to glue into place.
There is no information about the model or the real
machine, and some technical data about the R 9400 would
have added to the model. Some spare track links are
provided in a bag.
Detail
The metal track pads are nicely shaped and detailed with
bolt heads. They are mounted on track frames which have
working rollers, and although lifting points are
modelled, they do not have holes. The undercarriage is
a solid frame with a metal access stair.
The stairs to the cab are metal with fine gauge
handrails, and the access platform has a very nice mesh
flooring with a convincing array of mirrors outside.
Windscreen wipers and lights add detail to the cab, with
plastic screens on the side windows. The interior
detail is reasonable.
Behind the cab there is a metal stair, and the lower
level platforms have fine mesh floors. At the rear the
Liebherr name and type number is embossed within the
casting. The rear lights also have detailed beacons on
top. There are a mixture of metal and plastic grilles
on the side with the lights at the front having integral
air horns.
On top the deck is detailed with metal equipment and the
fire suppressant equipment is highlighted in red. The
exhaust pipes have holes and look good, and the overall
impression of the roof equipment is very good.
The hydraulic hoses running from the body to the boom
are also really good with detailed connections to the
rams. They have plastic jackets with a good colour
match, and pipes run to the ram collars.
Both the boom and the stick are of suitably heavy
construction. Another really nice aspect is the
authentic looking connection pins.
The very large shovel is a metal casting with wear
plates detailed and very good teeth.
Features
The tracks roll well on a rough surface, and are
tensioned on the frame with spring-loaded idlers.
The stair at the rear can be lowered into position.
The model rotates very smoothly.
The movement of the boom and stick is very good although
the hydraulics are generally very stiff.
The shovel moves fully on its connection, and opens
widely.
Quality
NZG has produced a well-made heavy model with a high
metal content.
The paint and simple Liebherr graphics are very good.
Price
Although not cheap a lot of metal is provided for the
money and it is good value.
Overall
This is a very convincing looking model of the R 9400
with the detailing of the hydraulics a high point. As
with other large mining models it cannot be broken down
to form transport loads, but as a complete model it is
impressive.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in
2014 and was available in May 2014. A backhoe
version was also produced as model number
8601.
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|
|
|
 |
|
Profile view. |
 |
| Heavy shovel
configuration. |
 |
| Grilles are
plastic and metal. |
 |
| Underneath. |
|
|
 |
| Detailed
equipment on top.
|
 |
| Lots of detail
on the boom. |
 |
| The bucket is
big. |
 |
| Paired with a
Liebherr T264, which is a bit big for the R 9400. |
|
