 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| Steering is
good. |
 |
| Complex
chassis. |
 |
| 'Bay crane'
on the hook. |
 |
| Y-Guy
travelling separately.
|
 |
| On the
road. |
 |
| Counterweight
tray loaded on the deck. |
 |
|
Nice profile. |
 |
| Large hook
block. |
 |
| Y-Guy
opened up. |
 |
| 'Bay Crane'
on every boom section. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr 1350-6.1 mobile crane has a maximum capacity
of 350 tonnes at 3m radius.
This version of the model is in the colours of
Bay Crane, the US crane hire company based in New
York which was founded in 1939.
This version of the
model does not include the fixed jib included in the Liebherr yellow version.
Packaging
The model comes in the standard Liebherr box design with
the model held within two expanded polystyrene trays.
There were
no missing parts on the review model.
There is no information about the real crane,
but the model has a diagrammatic instruction manual.
It is good as far as it goes but there is no reeving
information and as there are a number of small parts an
inventory of pieces would have been very helpful.
Detail
The chassis is highly detailed and it has fully
replicated transmission and suspension systems which
look authentic.
It also has hosing which runs between various small
tanks and the engine area is interesting because the
drive transfer from the gearbox is visible.
The tyres are very good with a fine
tread pattern, and Michelin and the tyre details are moulded
in the sidewalls. The wheels are really good too
with different hubs for driven and non-driven axles.
The driving cab has a tiny loop for hitching the
hook whilst travelling, the door steps are textured and
the handles have realistic inserts. Door mirrors,
windscreen wipers, beacon lights and a realistic number
plate complete the external detail. Inside the cab the seats have Liebherr printed
on the
backs.
Behind the driving
cab the engine area is well detailed in metal and
plastic, and there is a fine mesh grille. The
plastic chrome exhaust includes realistic holes in the
pipes.
Black replica rubber skirts sit above each pair of wheels.
The outriggers are really good. The 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 this has been enhanced
with 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 realism. Large metal spreader plates with
useable lifting points are also included with the model.
At the rear of the carrier there is a small
towing hitch and the detailing of the lights is very
good.
The crane cab has metal grab rails with window wipers,
and the interior detail is very good with some console
markings. There is a good
quality chrome exhaust and small graphics enhance the
detailing around the body. Two sets of metal
handrails are supplied - one for when the crane is in
transport mode and the other for when it is working.
The counterweight tray has useable lifting points and
the second hoist gear is permanently attached including
ready-reeved gear for a luffing fly jib. The counterweight blocks
accurately comprise a full configuration of 140 tonnes
and each block is nicely formed with sharp graphics.
The only thing missing is a lifting bar to enable the
blocks to be posed being lifted.
The main boom ram is an excellent metal part. Detailing on the boom
includes a couple of rotating spooling drums and with
casting details and small graphics it looks realistic.
The inner telescope sections have a realistic profile
with thin walls and Bay Crane appears on each
telescope section. At the boom head the pulleys are metal.
An additional part is supplied which appears to attach
on the front of the boom head as if to provide for a
single line hook.
The Y-Guy system for the telescopic boom comprises two
separate frames. They are metal except for the
hydraulic cylinder jackets and they are detailed parts.
Useable lifting eyes are included as are foldable
support stands. The guy rods are metal and some of the
connection pieces are plastic.
Two metal hooks are supplied and they are very
good quality. One is a single pulley block and the other
has
nine pulleys. They have 'Bay Crane' graphics.
Features
Each axle can steer independently with
reasonable movement so the crane can also be posed with
crab steering if required. There is sprung
suspension on each axle which is not too soft.
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 limited but
adequate when used with spreader plates. The crane
can be supported wheels-free.
The operator's cab can be tilted to a good angle, and
the side access platform can be extended and retracted.
The counterweight system can be fitted
in various configurations, including being mounted on the carrier deck
during self-assembly. The secondary hoist is reeved
to the luffing system but it is possible to remove the
reeving and run a second hoist line instead. By
removing a pin it is also possible to remove the luffing
system which is a nice feature.
Raising the boom is easy as the locking
mechanism on the main boom ram is by means of using a
supplied hex key and this works really well.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring
clip to lock each boom section. This version of
the model has locking
positions at 46%, 92% and 100%.
The Y-Guy system can be displayed as a transport load or
with care it can be posed during self-assembly.
When in place the system performs well with each side
tensioned by the using a key in the winches. A
high tension can be maintained.
The key is also used to operate the main winch and it
has enough friction to hold a moderate load.
Quality
The quality of this
version of the model is very good. It is mainly metal with plastic used appropriately.
The paint and graphics are very good and the
Bay Crane livery is rendered very well.
Price
The LTM 1350-6.1 is good value for a limited edition.
Overall
This version of the LTM 1350-6.1 looks great and the
quality level is very good. It is an outstanding
model.
Footnotes
The LTM 1350-6.1 has been made in a number of
different versions and has undergone continuous
improvement since its first introduction. This
version in Bay crane colours first appeared in October
2015.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Tray of
parts. |
 |
| Tiny
graphics add detail.
|
 |
|
Excellent detail. |
 |
| Nice cab. |
 |
| Nice load. |
 |
| Very good
detail on the carrier deck. |
 |
| Ready for
work. |
 |
| Detailed
counterweight. |
|
|
 |
| Nice boom
detailing. |
 |
| Big model. |
 |
| Excellent
geometry. |
|
