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| Folded up, the crane is a complex piece of equipment. |
Conrad 2102 - Liebherr MK100 Mobile
Construction Crane
Model Review March 2008
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| Folded up, the crane is a complex piece of equipment. |
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| Usual Liebherr style box. |
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| Model and parts inside the box. |
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| There are quite a few bits when you get them out. |
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| Imposing when folded for transport. |
The Liebherr MK100 is a five axle mobile tower crane which has a maximum 52m jib at which radius a 1.6t load can be lifted. The under hook height is typically 33m, and can be up to 58m when the jib is inclined at a 30 degree angle. This type of crane has an advantage for inner city work where it can place loads at large radius by reaching up and over buildings, and the set up time is typically only 15 minutes. To see photos of the real crane click here.
The mechanical connections within the crane are complex to allow it to fold for transport. This presents particular problems to the model maker, and engineering skill is needed to make it work in the 1:50 scale of this model.
Packaging
The model comes in a typical Liebherr picture box. The review model was damaged in transit with the driving cab windscreen cracked. A replacement part was supplied promptly by Conrad and replacing it on the model was straightforward.
A CD is included with the model and this has a selection of good photos and a screensaver. It also has some technical datasheets for the MK100 and MK110. The addition of the CD is to be commended and hopefully more models will have this in the future. The CD could have been improved further with the addition of the assembly instructions and film of the real crane being erected and in use.
A good instruction leaflet is supplied with the model with very clear pictures, a parts list, and descriptions in German, English, French, Italian and Spanish. There are some parts in the bag which are not described in the instructions however. Two steel pins are provided which can be used instead of plastic pins in the crane body and look less obtrusive. There is also a strange small plastic part which is actually the motor for extending the telescopic jib section (see later photo).
Assembly of the model takes over an hour and needs some concentration. There is an amount of reeving to do with the jib folding, hook, and cab elevating system all needing to be strung. However these are not the most difficult reeving jobs so most collectors should achieve the result without difficulty.
Detail
Underneath, the chassis is plain with no detail to speak of. The wheels are the standard Conrad variety with good treaded tyres mounted on plastic hubs although this does mean that the differing hub on the second axle of the real crane is not modelled. At the front, the driving cab includes wing mirrors (which are the same on both sides and do not include an extra mirror on the passenger side), and a good pair of orange beacon lights on the roof. The white bumper at the front is plastic and includes small headlights. There is also a metal towing hitch. Internal cab details are simple.
Behind the driving cab the detail is very good with various grilles and caps as well as a metal chrome exhaust. After the first axle is a holder for spreader plates for the outrigger pads although on the model this is one solid piece. The outriggers are two stage and are the usual Conrad type in strong tough plastic. The rest of the carrier deck has access steps and a textured anti slip surface on top. At the rear there are painted light clusters and another towing hitch. An attachable equipment carrier can be fixed on the back and this has a textured surface and painted light clusters.
