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Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 Mobile Crane

Maker:  WSI
Model No:  02-1024
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  May 2013


WSI Index
Mobile Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)27
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)18
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)80%

Footnotes


Liebherr LTM 1350-6.1 Mobile Crane Video
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The box.
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Bottom tray.
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Nice detailing on the boom.
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Excellent chassis detail.
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Ballast tray, hook and spreader plates as a load.
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Realistic overall profile.
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Tiny graphics on the outriggers.  Main ram jacket is metal.
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Self ballasting.
Luffing gear for a fly jib is included.
Detail behind the cab.
Large hook is included.
Erect and ready.
At the maximum angle.
Maximum height - around 2.3m.
Overall profile of the fixed jib is good.
Comment on this model.

The Liebherr 1350-6.1 mobile crane has a maximum capacity of 350 tonnes at 3m radius.  It has a maximum hook height of 134m.

Packaging

The model comes in the standard Liebherr box design with the model held within two separate expanded polystyrene trays with lids.

There were no missing parts on the review model. 

There were a number of defects however, none particularly serious.  Two of the axles had seized steering as a result of poor gluing and these were released by the use of careful but strong force.  A handrail section had a bent post which was eased back into position.  The casting of the over-cab support for the Y-Guy assembly was incorrect on one side.  A loose part on the boom was re-glued.  One of the guy rod rivets was loose and parted.  The angle adjustment on the fixed jib was seized because of over-tight rivets and had to be prised open carefully.  One of the tools used for fixing brass bolts was poorly cast and unusable but a second is included is included with the fixed jib.

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 as is the cooling fan. 

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 and beacon lights complete the external detail and it is nice that there are number plates even on a generic model.  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 useable 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 good.  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 whole part looks interesting.  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 and sets a standard for this component.  Detailing on the boom includes a couple of spooling drums and with casting details and small graphics it looks realistic.  The inner telescope sections have a realistic profile with thin walls and are probably aluminium.  At the boom head the pulleys are metal although yellow rather than silver would have looked closer to the real crane. 

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.  However the part had no pulley or other obvious function.

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 although some of the connection pieces are plastic with a weak colour match.

A metal fixed lattice jib is provided in a number of sections.  Rather than each piece being a single casting they are made up of separate parts which are joined together and the joints are reasonably visible affecting the look.  The review sections were geometrically fairly accurate although not as true as a single casting would allow.  The straight sections feature bracing at both ends which means smaller sections cannot be telescoped into larger ones for transport.  The special sections are quite good and two have mesh walkways which is a nice touch.

Two metal hooks are supplied and they are very good quality.  One is a single sheave block and the other has nine sheaves. 

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 possibly as a modelling compromise.

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 lock to clip each boom section at full extension.

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 although sadly there is very little friction so it unwinds easily.

The fixed jib can be assembled in a variety of configurations and can be fixed at three different offset angles.

Quality

The first versions of the model had a number of manufacturing issues but although the review model was not perfect, the minor defects were straightforward to fix.  The crane is mainly metal and the paint and graphics are very good.

The modelling design and assembly of the fixed jib could result in poor geometry and fit, although the review jib was acceptable.

Price

The LTM 1350-6.1 is good value.

Overall

In many respects this is an excellent crane model with its high level of detail.  It has some very worthwhile improvements over previous models including the metal boom ram.  However the modelling of the fixed jib is not the best and other quality issues take the edge off what would otherwise be a top notch model.  Nonetheless it is highly recommended.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2012.  When released for sale later in 2012 it had model number 04-1080 and there were quality issues reported.  This amended and improved version appeared in 2013 as model number 02-1024.
 
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Top tray has the fixed jib.
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Line drawings in the manual.
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Different hubs on driven and non-driven axles.
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Small tanks and hoses.
Fixed jib sections as a load.  Smaller sections cannot be loaded inside larger sections.
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Convoy makes an interesting display.
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Tyres have sidewall mouldings with the Michelin name.
Spreader plates.
 
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Loading up the Y-Guy frame.
Outriggers can support the crane wheels-free.
Y-Guy arrangement is detailed.
Complex boom head attachment for the Y-Guy.  Colour match of the plastic parts is not good.
Thin wall boom sections.
Angle adjustment on the boom.  Mesh walkways.
Y-Guy tensions up very well.
Looks real.