NZG 784 - Sennebogen 835M D Series Materials Handler
Model Review January 2010

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The Sennebogen 835M series D Materials Handler.

Sennebogen branded box.

The model inside the box.

The parts out of the box.

Handrail and platform fitted to the cab.

Body has clean lines.

Detail underneath.

The cab is finely crafted with the thinnest windscreen wipers ever.

Plenty of detail on the top including lifting eyes for the counterweight.

Nice metal grab.

Elevating cab.

At work sorting out steel.

Loading an East Dump Trailer.

On a Nooteboom Low Loader with the boom lowered as much as it will go.

The Sennebogen 835M is a materials handler with an operating weight of 44 tonnes.  In the configuration of the scale model it has a boom of 10.1m, and a loading stick 7.9m long.  It can lift loads of around 7 tonnes to a maximum height of 18m, and 5 tonnes out to a radius of 16m on outriggers, or 10m on tyres.

This is a version of a machine first modelled by Conrad in 2001 (model 2845).

The model is 1:50 scale, and it is manufactured in China.

Packaging

The model comes in a Sennebogen branded box which has a few specification details about the real machine printed on the outside.  The model is packed in a polystyrene tray, and it had no defects or missing parts.

A few small parts have to be fitted but these are obvious to fit so the absence of instructions is not critical.

Detail

The model is relatively heavy as there is little plastic used.

The undercarriage is well made with transmission details modelled underneath.  NZG have done a very good job with the wheels which have excellent tyres mounted on detailed metal hubs.  The outrigger beams and pads are metal and include accurate details such as the lubrication holes in the beams. Step irons are provided which align with the cab position to provide access for the operator.

The body of the machine is typical high quality casting from NZG, with plenty of detail in terms of side panel handles and the exhaust on the roof.  There is an access ladder leading to the roof and this is made of plastic.  The operator's cab is first class with very fine details such as thin hand railing, and the windscreen wipers are extremely thin, perhaps the thinnest yet seen on a model of this scale.  Interior details are very nice also.  Control cables run from the cab to the body.  An access platform can be fixed to the side of the cab and this is a nice metal part. NZG have thoughtfully provided some plugs which can be inserted into the fixing holes in lieu of the platform if required.

The boom is a good representation of the real machine and includes hydraulic hosing which runs from the body to the stick.  It also runs to each hydraulic cylinder.  The cylinder jackets are plastic and the colour match is slightly off compared to the paint on the metal parts so a sensitive eye will pick it up, although it is not bad.  The stick is a fairly simple part and at the end a nice metal 'orange peel' grab attaches and this part is all metal.

Features

The steering axle has a very good range of movement so good poses can be achieved.

The metal outrigger pads can be lowered and they support the model well. This is because on the review model the hydraulic cylinders are extremely stiff indeed so there is no danger of cylinder bleed.

The elevating cab works well, and can be posed at any point.  The detachable platform means that the model can be posed in transport mode although unfortunately a scaling problem means that the boom and stick cannot be folded fully horizontally so this means it does not look quite right on a low loader.

The grab opens and closes smoothly, and also rotates.  It is pinned to the stick so can be detached.

A striking aspect of the model is the green Sennebogen colour scheme and this is beautifully painted and goes well together with the high quality graphics.  Little plastic is used so the model has nice feeling.

Price

The model represents very good value because of its quality.

Overall

NZG have produced a very nice model which is a good step forward from the previous version of the model with an improvement to the detail level.  It can be posed in a variety of ways which are interesting and it is only let down a little because it cannot be accurately posed on a low loader.  Overall however it has enough to be highly recommended.