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Liebherr R 936 IV Crawler Excavator

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  957
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  January 2017


NZG Index
Earthworks Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)26
Features   (max 20)16
Quality   (max 25)21
Price   (max 15)12
Overall   (max 100)82%

Footnotes


Liebherr R 936 IV Crawler Excavator Video.  [Youku video]
Liebherr branded box.
The grille is reproduced by graphics.
Some detail on the underside of the body.
 
Handrails are new on this updated version of the R 936.
Very nice finish including paint highlighting on the hinges.
Loading a road tipper.
Ready to start work.
Impressive look when on site.


The Liebherr R 936 IV is a crawler excavator designed for civil engineering applications.

It has an operating weight in the range 30-34 tonnes and it typically uses buckets of size 0.70-1.75m³.  The version modelled here is the Tier IV version in terms of emissions.

Packaging

The model comes in a typical Liebherr branded box.  Inside the model is wrapped in soft paper and rests in a polystyrene tray. 

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

It is fully assembled, and NZG also provides some spare track links and pins.  There is no information about the model or the real machine.

Detail

The underside of the body has some detailing and the track pads are metal with bolt heads and grousers.  They are mounted on track frames which have some fine casting details and also working rollers.

The cab has very thin metal grab rails and windscreen wipers and the windows have detailed frames and seals.  There is also an aerial and mirror.  It looks great inside with the joysticks and levers being highlighted in black.

The curved body is cast well with excellent graphics and highlighted panel handles.  Up on top the engine cover is top notch with detail in the casting and tiny hinges highlighted with silver paint.  The video camera at the rear is highlighted with paint, and there is a further camera on the opposite side from the cab.  The silver grab rails are metal and other details are carefully painted.  At the boom foot there are many soft rubber hydraulic hoses which give a complex look.

The hydraulics on the boom are modelled really well with silver pipes indicated on the boom and cylinders, and more soft hoses.  The rivets used are painted and small so the look is realistic. 

The bucket is a good casting with nice teeth and the quick hitch facility is modelled effectively.

Features

The tracks are fairly stiff but when loosened up they do roll on a rough surface.  They are tensioned by a spring loaded idler, and the track links are of the hook variety rather than pinned.

The model rotates well.

The movement of the boom and stick is very good with a pleasant stiffness in the cylinders.  Digging at depth is a little restricted perhaps because the main boom ram pistons are over long.

The bucket is removable and can also be reversed.

Quality

This is a high quality model with a very good finish. 

The metal content is high and the paint and graphics are really nice.

Price

The model is good value.

Overall

This is a subtle update of the previous version of the model and the changes add a little to the detailed appearance.  It is an excellent excavator.

Footnotes

The first version of the model appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2012 as NZG #856.

 
Profile view.
Realistic.
Video camera highlighted by paint.
Detailed track frames with working rollers.
 
Cab has black controls.
Hydraulics, painted rivets and decent bucket.
Bucket detached.
Bucket reversed for shovelling.
Digging in.