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Mercedes-Benz Arocs 8x4 + Liebherr HTM 904 Mixer - Holcim

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  906/01
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  September 2014


NZG Index
Concrete Equipment Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)20
Features   (max 20)14
Quality   (max 25)20
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)72%

Footnotes


Mercedes-Benz Arocs 8x4 + Liebherr HTM 904 Mixer - Holcim Video  [Youku Video]
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NZG windowed box.
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Smart wheel hubs.
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Good chassis detail on the rear axles.
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Good steering angle.
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Access ladder folds down.
Detailed exhaust system.
Looks good as part of a diorama.
Comment on this model.

This model is a truck mixer mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Arocs 8x4 chassis.  The Arocs was announced by Mercedes-Benz in 2013 and is their truck aimed at the construction sector.

The Liebherr HTM 904 Mixer can be installed on a variety of truck chassis and has a geometric drum capacity of almost 16m³.

The model is in the colours of Holcim, a worldwide leading supplier of cement, aggregates and ready mixed concrete.  The company was founded in Switzerland in 1912.

Packaging

The model comes in an NZG branded box with a window. 

There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.

There is no information about the real machine, and as the model is complete out of the box, there are no instructions provided.

Detail

This is a heavy model with a relatively low plastic content.  Underneath, the chassis is fully detailed in metal with only the steering linkages being modelled for functionality rather than detail.  The tyres have a decent tread pattern and are the same on all wheels.

The cab has horns and aerials on the roof, and another small aerial and a plastic grab rail on the driver's side.  The door mirrors have some texture and the distinctive Arocs grille is modelled with a realistic appearance.  There is a number plate front and rear.  The Holcim and Mercedes-Benz graphics are small and fairly sharp.

Inside the cab, the seats have arm rests but surprisingly the Mercedes-Benz logo was not on the steering wheel.

Behind the cab the exhaust and intakes are modelled in plastic, with the snaking perforated exhaust pipe looking good.  The wheel arches are metal throughout and the light bar at the rear has nice plastic lenses.

The mixer drum is metal and looks smart in Holcim colours.  The water tank and engine are moderately detailed, and at the rear the access ladder and platform rails are a little on the fat side for the scale.  The loading funnel and discharge chute are metal.

Features

The truck rolls well and the front two axles have linked steering which can be posed to a very good angle without fouling.

The mixer drum rotates very smoothly.

At the rear the access ladder folds down. 

The discharge chute has full side-to-side movement.

Quality

As a heavy model it has a quality feel and the use of plastic is limited. 

The paint and graphics make the model look good.

Price

It is reasonable value.

Overall

This is the first of no doubt many Arocs truck models.  It captures the look of the real truck well and it is attractive model.  It would have been nice to have seen a tilting cab revealing the engine.

Footnotes

The Arocs model first appeared in prototype at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2014.  This version in Holcim livery was produced in a run of 300 models and appeared in July 2014. 
 
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Distinctive Arocs grille.
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Profile view.
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Rear ladder is metal.
 
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On the road.
Pumping the grey stuff.