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The
Liebherr box.
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Nice box at
the back. |
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Highly
detailed tiny graphics. |
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Smooth
piston on the outriggers. |
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Excellent
graphics on the boom sections. |
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Excellent
colour scheme. |
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Lifting a
beam. |
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Looks good
with other models. |
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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 US crane
hire company
Digging and Rigging. Although their
website does not list a LTM 1050, it does list the
3-axle LTM 1055.
Packaging
The model comes in a
Liebherr branded box with the
model held within a pair of polystyrene trays.
There were
no missing parts or defects on the review model.
There is no information on the real machine included,
and no instructions for the model either.
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 decent
tread pattern on the tyres.
The details on the carrier are of a very high standard.
There is 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. 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 grilles 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.
The outriggers are very good having
pistons which 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 with a very good colour match.
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. There are
Digging and Rigging graphics on each boom section.
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 steers independently with the steering
movement on the centre axle less than the others. The steering is 'notched'
but some reasonable angles 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 range of
travel is not huge.
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. However it was very difficult to
detach the short jib on the review model.
Quality
The model is high quality with intricate detailing and
where plastic is used it is used appropriately and
without spoiling the look.
The paintwork and graphics are excellent.
Price
The model is good value.
Overall
It is good to see a crane model in the colours of a US
company, and the Digging and Rigging colour scheme looks
great. This model was first introduced in 2010 and
still holds its own in terms of detailing.
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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Steering is
good. |
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Detailed
chassis.
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Very nice
engine cover. |
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Very nice
boom profile. |
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Ready for
work. |
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On the road. |
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Attractive
model. |
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Profile view. |
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