 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| Large
excavator. |
 |
| Ladder
lowered. |
|
|
 |
| Very good
cab guards. |
 |
| Cameras on
the counterweight.
|
 |
| Profile
view. |
 |
| Excellent
etched walkways. |
 |
| Mesh guards
on the lights. |
 |
| Guards on
the hoist cylinders. |
 |
| Digging
deep. |
|
The Liebherr
R 998 SME Hydraulic Excavator has an operating weight in
the range of 98 - 102 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 a standard Liebherr box design with
the model held within two
trays which are clipped together. It is 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.
There are two model numbers on the box; 62-2011 and
64-2011.
Detail
The
metal undercarriage has some tiny graphic detailing.
The track
frames have the rollers modelled but are
non-functioning. The metal track pads are detailed, 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 controls and 'Liebherr' is printed on the
seat back.
A high point is the walkways on each side. They
are metal with excellent etched floors, and fine
handrails.
The body detailing with panel doors, etched
grilles 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, and the teeth are excellent.
Features
The tracks roll well with just occasional
stickiness, and they are tensioned by spring-loaded idlers.
It rotates very 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.
Access ladders on each side can be raised and lowered.
Quality
It has a very high metal content and feels
well made.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
It is decent value for a large excavator model.
Overall
This is a high quality excavator model which looks
great.
A removable bucket would have been a worthwhile feature.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Bauma Exhibition in
2025.
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|
 |
|
|
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| Parked up. |
 |
| Metal
walkways.
|
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| Underneath. |
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| Nice air
intakes. |
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| Track
frames have no working rollers. |
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| Detailed
hydraulics. |
|
|
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| Pipes on
the monoboom. |
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| Detailed
hydraulics. |
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| Impressive
bucket. |
|
