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| Two hooks come with the model. On the left is the 600t (with ballast weights on the cheeks) and on the right the 300t. |
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| The model breaks down in to transportable pieces like the real thing. |
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| It looks impressive on a low loader although this one might be a bit small for the weight. |
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| This is a super size model. Track frames have good detail. |
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| The walkway disguises the entry holes for the winch handles. The hydraulic hook is resting on the moving mast. |
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| Top of the main boom. Pulleys are plastic as is the frame holding them. |
Conrad 2736 - Liebherr LR1750 Crawler Crane
Model Review July 2007
Detail
Each track frame is a large single piece consisting of the main structural frame which has some interesting casting detail. The drive motors are detailed and bear the Liebherr name finely cast in. The track pads appear to be the same as those used on the Terex Demag CC8800 model with the difference that the individual pads are pinned together rather than relying on the snap fit used on the early release of the Demag model. This is a much better, more robust design.
The main cross frame is a heavy piece and has the crane body permanently attached. There are four outriggers with jacks for lifting the crane body off a transport vehicle. The outrigger pads are plastic but they are not visible when the model is fully assembled. Also spanning the track frames are a pair of ballast plates which fit onto clips which attach onto the frames. The engineering of all pieces of the undercarriage is excellent and they fit together beautifully. The ballast plates carry three weights on each side. These are the usual high standard of casting including lifting lugs. On top of the weights, silver textured walkway plates rest to provide a platform for operator access and this part of the model is completed by a couple of ladders and handrails. A heavy toothed slewing ring sits on top of the undercarriage.
The crane body has a swing away cab which includes a walkway and handrails but does not have some of the smaller details such as wipers and mirrors. Inside, the cab has a representation of controls and screens. The crane body looks heavy and has essential detail within the casting representing panels and handles, and there are a couple of ladders. At the front, the three slewing motors look realistic, and they are complete with drive pinions, although there are no hydraulic lines modelled. Moving to the rear, the engine enclosure includes textured surfaces and grilles and a metal exhaust pipe. The grille detail also extends to the underside of the body. Heavy ballast trays hang off each side at the rear. In fact there is a pleasing absence of plastic on this part of the model with the main exception being the hoist drums and the bridles and pulleys on the luffing gear. The moving mast includes the hydraulic hook which the crane uses to assemble its own tracks.
The boom and jib sections are all fine examples of Conrad’s model engineering ability. Geometrically perfect, they fit together extremely well. They are joined together by the usual Conrad plastic pins which work just fine although small metal nuts and bolts would be more pleasing. At the crane body, spring loaded back stops prevent the jibs from over luffing and these parts are all metal. All of the pulleys are plastic, and are free rolling. The pendant bars are also the plastic interlocking variety favoured by Conrad. They work well but do not have the quality feel of metal pieces. The luffing bridles are plastic, presumably to keep the weight of these parts down so that the lines do not sag unduly. Another plastic part is the pulley holder on the main boom head and this would certainly have been better in metal like the fly jib head, which is a heavy piece. Plastic Liebherr signboards are fixed to the boom and jib.
Two hooks are provided and these are impressive. Consisting of the same modular components, they strip down to separate pulley block and hook assemblies with only the pulleys and pins being plastic. The larger hook also has clip on ballast weights to keep the tension in the ropes.
The last part of the model to describe is the separate ballast carrier which holds the majority of the 54 weights provided. Again this is all metal with the exception of the tyres, wheel hubs and jack pads. The modelling of the steelwork is impressive with good detail. The slewing motors include drive pinions on this part of the model too. A full set of metal walkways and ladders is provided. A ‘stinger’ joins the ballast carrier to the crane and once again is perfectly engineered in metal.