 | | The Sarens box. |  |  | | Rigged for on the road. |  | | Steering on all axles. |  | | Really good chassis detail. |  | | High detail on the crane. |  | | Very detailed driving cab interior. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Mesh grilles over the engine. |  | | Sarens on every boom section. |  | | Reaching up with the fly jib on. |  | | Nicely cast lattice section. |
| The Liebherr 1050-3.1 is a 50 tonne capacity three axle crane with a maximum lifting height of 54m.
The model is in the colours of the Belgian heavy lifting specialist Sarens.
Packaging
The model comes in a Sarens branded box with the model held within a pair of polystyrene trays. There were no missing parts on the review model, although one outrigger pad was missing a fixed pin, and the supplied pins were too thick to lock the pads to the loaded position.
There is no information on the real machine included, and no instructions for the model either. There are a number of small parts which are attached or used and this includes some pins which in the absence of instructions it is not clear what their purpose is.
Detail
This is a highly detailed model and underneath it has fully replicated transmission and suspension systems, and although these are modelled in plastic, the quality is high. The wheels are very good with a particularly fine tread pattern on the tyres.
The details on the carrier are of a very high standard. The driving cab is great. It has a tiny loop for hitching the hook whilst travelling, and the door steps and handles look authentic as do the door mirrors and windscreen wipers. Underneath the cab, a ladder is hung like on the real machine. Inside the cab Liebherr is printed on the seat backs and the computer console and dashboard have graphics applied.
There is some more really good modelling behind the driving cab with mesh grids which look very authentic together with some tiny grab handles and a realistic exhaust pipe. Nice black replica rubber skirts sit above each wheel. At the rear, there is very fine detailing of the light bar and number plate, and there is a tool box at the back.
A particularly nice detail is the outriggers. The pistons are smooth with the screw mechanism being internal so they look realistic. . Small plastic spreader plates are also provided and this is a worthwhile addition.
The crane body continues the high level detail with hydraulic hosing and a nicely replicated cab interior. The cylinder jackets on the hydraulic cylinders are plastic and the colour match is good.
The counterweight has been made in pieces so can be attached just like the real crane, and one piece has the Liebherr name formed within the casting. A single winch is provided.
Detailing on the boom includes various spooling drums and cable runs, and looks very good. At the boom head individual metal pulleys are provided.
A metal folding fly jib completes the model, and it has well formed lattice work. A good metal hook is supplied, as is a dummy load with the Liebherr name on it. The high detail level includes a chain to replicate the hoist cut-off, and the free end of the hoist rope slides into a tie off shackle. Although the hook can be reeved onto the fly jib, a single line hook would have looked better.
Features
Each axle can steer independently with the steering movement on the centre axle less than the others. The steering is 'notched' but a good angle can be achieved and the crane can be posed with crab steering if required.
The outriggers can be extended and lowered and feature 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.
The operator's cab can be tilted to a good angle, and the side access platform can be extended and retracted.
The ladder stowed underneath the carrier cab is removable but is too short to pose in use during attachment of the fly jib.
A good feature is that the four-piece counterweight can be displayed in various configurations, including on the carrier deck when the crane is in transport mode.
Raising the four section boom is easy but the cylinder is not stiff enough to hold an extended or loaded boom up for long without it bleeding down and this is compounded by the fact that it cannot be raised to as steep an angle as the real crane. It can be fixed at a steep angle using a supplied pin in the main lift cylinder jacket.
A key is provided to operate the winch which on the review model had some friction so light loads could be supported. A small opening flap is provided above the winch drum.
The fly jib can be attached although there are no pulleys at the end of the lattice section so the swing away section needs to be used. It can be stripped down to form the very short assembly jib which is an option on the real crane, although it can not be set to replicate an offset angle, which is a pity. It is also difficult to rig the short jib satisfactorily.
Quality
The model is high quality with intricate detailing and where plastic is used it is used intelligently and without spoiling the look. Paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is good value.
Overall
This is an excellent mobile crane model and this Sarens version looks great making it an outstanding example of the LTM 1050-3.1 model.
Footnotes
The model was first introduced in Liebherr colours as WSI 9478 and was available from March 2010. A number of versions in different liveries have been produced.
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|  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Good wheels and the outrigger pads are stowed in the offset position. |  | | Parked up and ready to roll. |  | | Very small graphics add detail. |  | | Realistic outriggers and plastic pads. |  | | Liebherr on the seat back. |  | | Outrigger pistons are smooth. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Fly jib stays on with the boom up. |  | | Liebherr ingot adds weight and keeps the hoist ropes tight. |  | | Lifting a column. |  | | On site with the Sarens SGC 120. |
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