 |
| Big Liebherr branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Rear stair
lowered down. |
 |
| Working rollers
on the tracks. |
 |
| Big dimensions. |
 |
| Very detailed
hydraulics. |
 |
| Simple but
heavy track frames. |
 |
| Massive bucket. |
 |
| Reaching high. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr R 9400 is a large mining excavator and this
version of the model
is in the backhoe configuration.
It has an operating weight of around 346 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
were no missing parts or defects on the review model.
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 bucket 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 bucket moves fully on its connection.
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 shovel
version was also produced as model number
860.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Profile view. |
 |
| Impressive boom and
stick. |
 |
| Liebherr name
embossed at the back. |
 |
| Simple
undercarriage. |
|
|
 |
| Very detailed
on top.
|
 |
| Big iron. |
 |
| Complex. |
 |
| In the mine. |
|
