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| The box.
|
 |
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| The parts out
of the box including certificate. |
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| McNally's decoration
all round. |
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| Really good
chassis detail. |
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| Cab seat has
Liebherr on the back.
|
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| Each boom section
has name graphics. |
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| Hydraulic lines
on the crane body. |
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| Lifting the
Liebherr ingot. |
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| Fly jib attached. |
|
The Liebherr 1050-3.1 is a 50 tonne
capacity three axle crane with a maximum lifting height
of 54m.
The review model is in the colours of
McNally's, an Irish crane hire company which started
in crane hire in the 1970s. The company has since
become a major player in the wind turbine market with its
sister company Windhoist.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard Liebherr box design with the
model held within a pair of polystyrene trays. There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
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.
A certificate of Original Limited Edition is included and
this has a unique model number and a short history of McNally's.
This is a nice addition to the model and improves
collectability.
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 tyres and wheels are very good with a particularly fine
tread pattern on the tyres, and excellent wheel hubs although
the design is the same on each wheel.
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 the seats have Liebherr printed on to their
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. This model is different from the
Liebherr coloured version as it does not have the 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. 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. When in use, the pin
is removed and replaced with the pad centred under the piston.
Small plastic spreader plates are also provided and this
is a welcome addition.
The crane body continues the high level detail with hydraulic
hosing and a nicely replicated cab interior. The access
platform to the side of the cab slides in and out so can
be retracted for transport to create a more realistic configuration.
The cylinder jackets on the hydraulic cylinders are
plastic and the colour match is slightly off.
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 which itself can be pinned to the main
boom or fly jib as appropriate. Although the hook
can be reeved onto the fly jib, a single line hook would
have looked better.
The McNally's livery has been rendered very well
although the McNally's website does not show an LTM
1050-3.1 so a precise check is difficult. However
the lettering and decoration style appears authentic.
Many of the smaller warning notices on the Liebherr
liveried version are not present on this one but overall
the crane looks very smart.
Features
Each axle can steer independently so the crane can be posed
with crab steering if required with the steering
movement on the centre axle less than the others. The steering is 'notched'
but a good angle can be achieved. The outriggers can
be extended and lowered and feature the excellent pad pinning
feature mentioned earlier.
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 to short to pose in use during
attachment of the fly jib for example.
A good feature is that the four-piece counterweight can be displayed
in various configurations, including on the carrier deck.
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 especially good.
Price
The model is good value given the limited
edition status and it may retain its value as a result.
Overall
This is an excellent mobile crane model and it looks very
smart in the colours of McNally's. It is a good
addition to the range of models in McNally's colours and
is highly recommended.
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. This version was developed
by giftmodels.it and it appeared in April 2011 in a
limited run of 200 models.
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|
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| The model in
the box. |
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| Good tyre tread
and the outrigger pads are stowed in the offset position.
|
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| Interior cab
details are really good. |
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| No equipment
box on the back of the McNally's
version. |
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| Hook can be
fixed at the front. |
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| High quality
detailing in the engine area. |
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| Outrigger pistons
are smooth. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Windhoist graphics
are also applied to the boom sections. |
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| Rigged with
the short erection jib. |
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| On the road. |
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