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| The
box. |
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The box contents. |
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Strong cruciform base. |
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Visible electronics cabling. |
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Counterweight blocks hold batteries and steel weights. |
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Full model with included beam load. |
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Reduced configuration (not shown in the manual). |
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This
is a model of a Liebherr EC-H High Top tower crane.
It is built in the long
established German brand of Fischertechnik which uses
robust plastic components. The model is
remotely controlled via a mobile phone using a Bluetooth
system.
It is an officially licensed Liebherr product.
Packaging
The model comes in a large
picture box which is full of numerous bags of parts.
There are over 1000 pieces.
A substantial manual is included. This includes a
parts list, instructions for the Bluetooth connection
and over 100 construction steps to follow.
The construction system is easy to follow and use.
The parts are not logically grouped in the bags so some
time is spent searching for the right parts for any
given stage of construction. Precision and
accuracy is required, as some of the smaller cube parts
are slightly different so care is needed to use the
right ones.
There were no missing or broken parts in the review set.
Sticker sheets are provided to apply
the graphics.
Reeving up the hoist rope is straightforward. The
trolley rope is more challenging as the rope has to be
wound five times on to a drum which has spiral grooves.
Detail
There is no stated scale for the model but based on the
cab height it scales to approximately 1:40, but the
nature of the modelling system means there is
significant variation of scale in different parts of the
model.
The model is made of
coloured parts to mostly replicate the Liebherr colour
scheme. However, the first section of jib and tower head
section are yellow and not grey as per Liebherr's
current colours.
The designer of the model has done a good job within the
limits of this construction system to represent the
details and proportions of the real crane. The
only untidy part of the model is the electronics cabling
around the receiver, and a cover plate for this area
would have improved the appearance.
Liebherr stickers are provided which can be
used to decorate the model.
Features
The model has three motors which drive the hoist,
trolley and slewing. They are controlled via a
Bluetooth connection on a IOS or Android phone.
It is straightforward to install the Fischertechnik
Bluetooth Control app. Pairing to phone to the
receiver on the model is also straightforward.
However, it seems that if the phone is not used for a
time and reverts to a lock screen, the pairing is lost
which can be irritating.
There is no on/off switch on the crane so it seems the
only way to save battery when not in use is too
disconnect a cable from the battery box. A switch
would have been neater.
In use, each crane function works well. The
joysticks represented in the app are proportional, so
variations in motor speeds are possible. All
movements can be slow enough to be realistic.
Slewing and the trolley movement share a single joystick
and because of the sensitivity it can be difficult to
isolate a single function such as trolley movement
without a little slewing occurring. It is possible
to lock a joystick position with an additional button
and this works well.
The motors are strong. The model can lift its
rated load of 700g at minimum radius and rotate with it.
However, the trolley movement is compromised as the rope
windings can slip on the spiral drum under heavy load.
The model is large. Although not shown in the
manual it is possible to configure a smaller version of
the crane with a half height tower and a shorter jib and
one ballast box, A smaller two fall hook block can
also be built.
Quality
The instructions are comprehensive although
some of the smaller parts can be a little trick to
identify.
The model is impressively robust and shows the strength
of the Fischertechnik system.
Price
The set is good value given the size and
functionality provided.
Overall
This is an impressive model built in the
Fischertechnick system and given the constraints is a
very good representation of the real Liebherr crane.
The functionality works well and it gives anyone the
chance to play crane driver and show their skills.
Footnotes
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| Good looking
profile. |
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Lattice tower. |
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Good looking heavy lift hook block. |
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Opening cab door |
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Trolley is relatively large.. |
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Cab and trolley winch. |
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