 | | 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. |
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