 | | The box. A photo of the real crane is on the other side. |  |  | | Travelling fully configured and with the smallest hook block. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | All parts ready for the road. |  | | 84m boom fitted. |  | | On the road with an 84m boom and Y-Guy arrangement. |  | | Detailed crane cab. |  | | First three sections extended to 46%. |  | | Partially loaded counterweight. Excellent graphics. |  | | Y-Guy arrangement opened up. |  | | Intermediate hook block. |  | | Impressive. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Liebherr 1500-8.1 mobile crane has a maximum capacity of 500 tonnes at 3m radius. It was launched at the BAUMA Exhibition in 1998 and has been a very popular heavy mobile crane, selling over 500 units.
The crane can be configured with a 50m or 84m main boom and a Y-Guy boom support arrangement and these options are possible with this version of the model.
It is in the colours of the British company Ainscough.
Packaging
The model comes in a Liebherr-branded box design with the model held within two expanded polystyrene trays.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.
The model has a very good instruction manual. It includes a parts list and clear photos showing the assembly of the various configurations. The only thing missing are reeving diagrams for the three hooks supplied.
There is no information about the real crane and the addition of a reprint of a brochure or technical specifications would have been fitting.
Detail
The chassis is very highly detailed and it has fully replicated transmission and suspension systems. Other detailing is high quality such as small hoses and tanks.
The tyres are very good with a fine tread pattern, and Michelin branding moulded in the sidewalls. The wheels have different hubs for driven and non-driven axles.
The driving cab has a tiny loop for hitching a hook line whilst travelling, the door steps are textured and the door handles are highlighted. Door mirrors, windscreen wipers and beacon lights and a realistic number plate complete the detail. Interior detailing is high quality with Liebherr printed on the seat backs and instrument stalks are tipped with colour.
Behind the driving cab the engine area is well detailed in metal and plastic, and there is a fine mesh grille. The chrome exhaust has realistic holes in the pipes and black replica rubber skirts sit above each group of wheels, with rubber mud flaps adjacent to the outrigger boxes. The Ainscough graphics are very good.
The outrigger pads have a working pinning mechanism which allows the pads to be fixed in an offset way so they are within the footprint of the crane when the outrigger beams are retracted, and there are locking bars which keep the pads under the crane neatly. The pistons are smooth with the screw mechanism being internal so they look realistic and tiny graphics add to the authentic look. Large metal spreader plates with useable lifting points are also included with the model and they are finished in Ainscough blue.
At the rear of the carrier there is a textured tool box and the lights and wheel chocks are finely detailed.
The crane cab has metal grab rails with window wipers, and there are very finely detailed lights. Cables run to the crane body and small graphics add detail to the cab exterior. The interior detail is also to a very high standard.
Underneath the crane body the slewing ring and slewing motors are realistically modelled. The crane body also benefits from the high level of detailing with small graphics and paint to add highlighting. The chrome exhaust is also fine and there are many small casting details which add to the authentic look.
The counterweight consists of a number of separate elements and each one is capable of being displayed being lifted as they have well-formed lifting points. The Liebherr name is embossed within the casting on many of the ballast plates.
The second and third winch assembly can be optionally fitted and the luffing assembly is already reeved in the factory. It is a detailed part including many hydraulic hoses and a metal walkway.
The main boom rams are very nice metal parts. Boom sections are supplied to enable the model to be displayed in either a 50m or 84m configuration. The sections appear to be aluminium as they are light and strong, and have thin wall thicknesses and hence the boom profile is excellent. Detailing on the lowest boom section includes a rotating spooling drum and useable lifting eyes, and the overall impression is very convincing although collectors may prefer to add some thread to the spooling drum. The boom head is also very good with fine detailing and silver metal pulleys which probably would have looked better painted yellow. All boom sections have Ainscough on them.
The Y-Guy system for the telescopic boom is a separate part. It is metal except for the plastic hydraulic cylinder jackets. The guy rods are metal with the body and boom head connection pieces being plastic. Excellent warning safety graphics are copied from the real crane.
Three metal hooks are supplied and they are excellent quality with metal pulleys.
Features
Axles 1 to 4 and 7 and 8 can steer as per the real crane. The range of movement is limited, and the mechanisms are a little too loose meaning that some axles may not hold an angle if the model is pushed, although this is not an issue posing the model in a static display.
There is sprung suspension on each axle which is stiff.
The outriggers can be extended and lowered, and feature an excellent pad pinning feature with fine wire clips. The range of travel on the pistons is adequate if the spreader plates are used, and the model can just be supported wheels-free.
The operator's cab rotates from the transport position can be tilted to a good angle. A tiny light assembly can be rotated and a plastic ladder can be fitted.
The crane rotates without rocking, but there was some stiffness on the review model.
The counterweight system can be fitted in various configurations, including being mounted on the carrier deck during self-assembly.
Raising the boom is easy with the locking mechanism on the main boom rams using a key to tighten grub screws on the jacket tops.
Either the 50m or 84m boom can be fitted to the model.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring lock to clip each boom section. It is possible to lock each section at either 46%, 92% or 100% extension like the real crane which is an excellent feature.
The Y-Guy system can be displayed as a transport load. When in place the system performs well with each side tensioned by using the key in the slightly rough winches. A high tension can be maintained and the boom tensions up well.
The key is also used to operate the main winch. It has a push-in action but for some reason the brake is configured the opposite way to expected. So pushing engages the brake more, when it should release the brake. However it will hold a load.
Different hook blocks can be reeved, and they each have rotating hooks and working safety latches which are very stiff.
Quality
This is a very detailed model with a high metal content and the overall quality of the model is very good.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
It is good value for an excellent limited edition model.
Overall
This is a very detailed model although the engineering of the wheels and winch would still benefit from improvement. In the colours of Ainscough the model look great, and the excellent graphics give it a realistic appearance.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the BAUMA Exhibition in April 2013 and was generally available later. Versions in many different company colours have been produced. This version appeared in February 2016.
This model in Liebherr colours was awarded Model of the Year for 2013 in the Cranes Etc Review of the Year.
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|  | | The tray. |  | | Tool box at the rear. |  | | Looks great as part of a fleet. |  | | Impressive looking model. |  | | Nice carrier detailing. |  | | Excellent small details. |  | | Preparing the counterweight. |  | | Realistic hydraulics. | |
|  | | 92% and 100% boom locking positions. |  | | Ready with lifting beam. |  | | Excellent geometry. |
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