 |  | | The box. |  |  | | Excellent brochure includes a parts list. |  | | Proportions look great. |  | | Tiny tie-on point under the cab. |  | | Detailed axles. |  | | Three different hooks. |  | | Pads being lowered. |  | | Opening flap on the crane. |  | | Opening engine covers. |  | | Terrific detail inside the cab. |  | | Setting the counterweight. |  | | Excellent detail. |  | | Full counterweight. |  | | Boom sections at 100% extension. |  | | Spare wheel fitted at the back. |  | | Excellent boom and hydraulics detail. |  | High detail at each boom section collar.
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|  Comment on this model.
This model of the Liebherr LTM 1400 represents a historic crane from the 1990's and some aspects of its design are dated compared to more modern cranes. It had a nominal lifting capacity of 400 tonnes and could lift to 50m on the four-section telescopic boom.
Packaging
The model comes in a heavy outer cardboard carton which protects a Liebherr branded box in slightly different colouring to modern models. Inside that is a pair of expanded polystyrene trays which contain the model. A very nice touch is that the two trays are locked together with plastic clips at each end and this is much better than having the trays being taped together. Many parts are wrapped in soft paper.
The model is very detailed and delicate and has to be handled with care as any pressure on small parts whilst lifting it will inevitably damage them. The instructions recognise this and give clear advice on how to handle the model.
There was one defect on the review model. An opening engine cover was detached, and YCC quickly dispatched a tiny part to make a good repair.
A high quality brochure is included which has a reprint of the original machine specifications. The instructions for the model are top quality and show almost every aspect of the assembly and features, with the only exception being the reeving of the hoist line over the lowest boom section and guying system.
Also included is a high quality commemorative key ring.
Assembly is straightforward, and only care is required to handle some of the very small parts and pins. In particular tiny pins are fine in a posed model but will work loose under handling and, if dropped, will be hard to find.
Detail
The crane carrier is very highly detailed. Underneath, the chassis has good detail with the main transmission and suspension elements modelled. The wheels are excellent with detailed hubs (which are different on the driven axles) and tyres which have Michelin and the tyre details in the sidewalls.
The driving cab is of a very high standard and the interior detail is really good. The wipers and mirrors are finely crafted, and the lights and number plates look convincing.
Behind the cab the detailing of the engine area is really good too, with fans visible under the grilles and opening hatches reveal a detailed metal engine which is modelled in relief rather than as a separate part with space around it. The exhaust stacks look very convincing too.
There are thin rubber skirts above the wheels, very thin metal access ladders and small metal wheel chocks fit into special holders. At the rear the light clusters are very good. Two options exist at the rear. Either a spare tyre can be fitted or a tool box.
The modelling of the outriggers is excellent. Special holders for the pads are replicated, and the beams are metal with high quality graphics. Even the locking bolts for the beams are provided. The pistons have a smooth external appearance so look authentic and the metal pads are finely crafted. Heavy spreader plates with lifting points are included.
The crane body structure rests on a convincing looking heavy toothed turntable. The operator's cab is excellent with fine quality grab rails and lights and the interior detail is top class with highlighted instrument clusters. Detail around the body continues the very high standard with an excellent exhaust system being a standout, and under opening covers there are detailed components. Hydraulic hoses run to the various rams and motors.
The counterweight consists of a number of separate plates with very sharp casting details. The secondary winch assembly includes a set of hydraulic hoses and useable lifting eyes.
The twin hydraulic cylinders for the boom are all metal components. As an example of attention to detail tiny magnetic cover plates are provided to cover the grub screws that lock the extension.
The four stage telescopic boom has a great profile with the external locking pins of the real crane modelled, and there are working roller bars throughout. At the boom head there are free-rolling metal pulleys and plenty of tie-off points including a minute one for the hoist cut-out chain.
The guying arrangement is also finely modelled and only in one area is there a small issue with the scaling as the tension rope rubs on part of the guying system frame rather than running cleanly from pulley to pulley.
Three different sizes of hook are supplied. These are all metal and top quality and include excellent graphics.
Features
The carrier has fully sprung suspension on each axle and each steerable axle steers enabling any of the available modes of the real crane to be replicated.
The cab doors open widely and a nice touch on these and other openers is that small embedded magnets are used to secure them in the closed position. However the compromise is that they are silver and visible when open.
Two hatches open on top of the engine.
Wheel chocks can be stored or removed, and four ladders can be rotated and deployed.
At the rear a spare tyre can be carried, or a toolbox fitted which has opening doors.
On each side there is a tiny opening flap which gives access to the outrigger beam controls. The loader arms for the pads work and they can be used to lower the pads to the ground for deployment.
The two-stage outrigger beams extend smoothly and can be locked in place in the 50% and 100% locking positions. The pads are slightly magnetic so they usually stick on if the model is moved, and the pistons are lowered by unscrewing.
The crane rotates extremely smoothly, so much so that it will rotate if the crane is not set level.
The operator's cab can be rotated out from transport position, and also tilts. The cab door slides open and shut. Two cab windscreens are provided, one for the closed transport position and another for the open operating position.
There is an opening cover on each side of the crane body.
The counterweight can be configured like the real crane and can be stowed on the carrier deck to simulate self-erection.
The boom lifting cylinders are perfectly smooth in operation and they are locked at any extension by tightening a discrete grub screw at the top of each cylinder jacket using the special tool supplied.
The telescopic boom extensions pull out very smoothly and the spring loaded locking pins work really well. They are able to lock each section at the 50%, 92% and 100% positions of the real crane. The boom also has working rollers to guide the winch line.
The guying system folds open and the winch has a positive brake so it can be tensioned up quite tight. The guying arrangement can also be detached if not required.
The winch drums are operated using a special tool and if required it can powered by an electric screwdriver to raise and lower the hook. The brakes are spring loaded with positive action so the winches will hold a load.
The hook blocks have rotating hooks and working spring-loaded safety latches.
Quality
The model is very well made and has a very high metal content. A large number of parts has been used and some of them are absolutely tiny in order to faithfully represent detail. As a consequence the model is delicate and needs to be handled with respect.
The paintwork and graphics are excellent.
Price
As expected this top quality model commands a high price, but it is good value nonetheless and it is more likely than many to hold value in the longer term.
Overall
To get straight to the point, this model sets a new high standard for a mobile crane model, and it seems as if every detail and every aspect from the packaging to the smallest part of the model has been carefully considered. If you are looking for the most authentic crane model available at the time of the review, look no further.
Footnotes
The model first appeared as a prototype at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February 2014. Shipments began in September. Initially it was also produced in Thomen and Sarens liveries, and others followed.
This model was awarded Model of the Year for 2014 in the Cranes Etc Review of the Year.
A luffing fly jib extension kit appeared at the end of 2015.
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|  | | Tray includes a commemorative key ring. |  | | Super realistic. |  | | Moderate steering angles. |  | | On the road. |  | | Overall view of the underneath. |  | | Makes a great transport display. |  | | Access ladder lowered and a tiny console for outrigger operation has an opening flap. |  | | Opening cab door. Silver head is the magnet. |  | | Another opening panel cover. |  | | Outrigger beam with locking bolt installed. |  | | Are the Cranes Etc team slinging the load correctly?. |  | | Set up ready. |  | | Boom sections at 50% extension. |  | | Guying system opened up. | |
|  | | Opening tool box. |  | | Top notch model. |
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