 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| Very sharp
graphics. |
 |
| Detailed
track frames. |
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| Very good
cab guards. |
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| Very good
hydraulics.
|
 |
| Profile
view. |
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| High
detail. |
 |
| Impressive
large machine. |
 |
| Big load
for a truck. |
 |
| On the
road. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Liebherr R 970 SME Hydraulic Excavator has an
operating weight in the range of 77 - 79 tonnes in
backhoe configuration. It is designated
'SME' as it is deemed to be in the Super Mass Excavation
class. It is suited to civil engineering and
quarrying activities.
Packaging
The model comes in the standard Liebherr box design with
the model held within two separate expanded polystyrene
trays and protected with clear plastic sheets.
There were
no missing parts or defects on the review model.
There is no information about the real machine or model.
Although WSI list the model as 04-1047, the number on
the box is 02-1556.
Detail
The
undercarriage has some simple detailing and the track
frames look very smart with silver
highlighted metal ladders. The rollers are modelled but
are non-functioning. The metal track pads are double
grouser with bolt heads indicated, although the centre
holes are not formed, and the main drive sprockets also
appear to be metal.
The cab is metal with fine casting details and metal
grab rails and mirrors. The slightly tinted
windows have realistic seals and graphics, and there are
good quality plastic protection guards to the front and
top. There is
a thin aerial on the roof. Inside the cab, detailing
includes black controls and 'Liebherr' is printed on the
seat back.
On the body sides there are metal etched walkways which
look really good.
The curved body is detailed with panel doors, an etched
grille and metal grab rails. The graphics are excellent
and are very sharp. On top there are textured surfaces
and at the rear the exhaust pipe has a black tip to
represent a hole. The
hydraulic hoses running from the body are very good.
The main rams have excellent protection and hydraulics.
The mono boom is very good with lights which have tiny
protection grilles, and both it and
the stick have really good hydraulics mirroring the
pipes and hoses of the real machine. The
connection rivets are painted so the look is authentic.
The bucket is a very nice casting. It includes
lifting eyes, and the teeth are excellent.
Features
The tracks roll really nicely and they are tensioned by spring-loaded idlers.
It rotates smoothly helped by the model's relatively
heavy weight.
The boom, stick and bucket have a very good range of
movement. The cylinders are
very stiff and hold any pose. However some of the
ram jackets show signs of
yielding in the plastic as the pistons move inside them.
Quality
The 970 SME has a very high metal content and feels
particularly solid and robust.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
It is good value bearing in mind the high quality.
Overall
WSI has produced a particularly nice excavator model for
Liebherr. It has an overall feeling of quality.
Of course it would have been nice if it had a removable
bucket, and even counterweight, but nonetheless it looks
great.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in
2014 and the first release occurred in Q3 of that year.
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|
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|
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| Parked up. |
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| Loading
height is good.
|
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| Metal
sprocket. |
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| Details on
top. |
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| Excellent bucket. |
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| Tiny cover
on the light. |
|
|
 |
| Loaded
bucket. |
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| Digging on
a bench. |
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| Tucked up
small. |
|
