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| Ainscough
branded
box. |
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| On the
road. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Tyres have
sidewall barnding. |
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| Detail on
top. |
|
|
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| On the road. |
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| Additional
hook blocks and luffing winch included. |
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|
Lifting ballast blocks. |
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VarioBallast extended out. |
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Lifting a bridge beam. |
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TY Guy system as a transport load. |
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Excellent Ainscough branding. |
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The Liebherr 1650-8.1 mobile crane has a maximum capacity
of 700 tonnes.
The crane can be configured with a
TY Guy boom support arrangement and this option is
possible with the model.
This model is in the colours
of the UK crane hire and contract lifting specialist Ainscough.
Packaging
The model comes in a
an Ainscough-branded
box design which celebrates the 50th anniversary of
Ainscough's foundation. The model held within trays
which are held together with plastic clips. The parts
are wrapped.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review
model.
The model has an
excellent instruction manual. It
includes a parts list, and clear photos and English text
describe the model.
An Ainscough Certificate is included and it gives the
unique number in the run of 120 models.
Detail
The chassis is very highly detailed with replicated
transmission and suspension systems. It also
includes the central rear outrigger.
The tyres are very good with a fine tread pattern, and branding moulded in the sidewalls. The wheels have
different hubs for driven and non-driven axles.
The carrier cab has beacon lights and
roof aerials, and at the front there is a hitch
for tying a hook whilst travelling. There is a
realistic number plate. The door steps are textured and
the door handles are highlighted. Interior detailing is
also high quality.
Behind the carrier cab the engine area is highly detailed
with textured surfaces and a mesh
grille. Tiny graphics add detail throughout.
The outrigger pads have a working pinning mechanism
which allows the pads to be fixed in an offset way so
they are within the footprint of the crane when the
outrigger beams are retracted. The
pistons are smooth with the screw mechanism being
internal so they look realistic. Tiny graphics add to
the authentic look.
Large metal spreader plates with
useable lifting points are also included with the model
and they have Ainscough branding.
The profile of the outriggers under load is very good
and they are nice and straight. The rear outrigger
box has lifting eyes so it can be posed being installed.
The crane cab has metal
handrails with an etched mesh walkway. There is also a silvered mirror
and window wipers. The interior detail is very
good.
Underneath the crane body the
toothed slewing ring is visible. The crane body also
has a high level of detailing with small graphics, metal handrails and ladders, and textured surfaces.
The counterweight consists of a number of parts.
The frame is complex and it includes a winch drum.
Two ballast trays are separate parts. The counterweight blocks are nicely
decorated including the weight being marked with
graphics, and have useable lifting
eyes. A ballast block lifting device is included
with the model. Securing plates sit on top of the
counterweight stacks.
The main boom rams are very nice metal parts with
complex hydraulic detailing at the bottom, and the boom
sections have very thin walls which provide a realistic
profile. Detailing on the lowest boom section includes
spooling drums, and pipework within the casting. The boom head is also very good with
fine detailing and plastic pulleys which replicate the
plastic ones used on the real crane. A long safety hoist
cut-off chain and block hangs from the boom top and
there is a realistic tying-off point also.
The TY Guying system for the telescopic boom is of heavy
construction and is mainly metal. Tiny graphics add detail
to the system.
Three metal hooks are supplied, and they are excellent quality
with working safety latches.
Another nice touch is that a lifting beam, shackles and
chains are also
included, and these are high quality.
The Ainscough branding has been replicated to a very
high standard.
Features
All axles have sprung suspension with some connected to
form floating groups. Each axle also steers with
some very good steering angles being possible.
The central rear outrigger can be lowered and
this would be used for erection of the crane on site if
the rear outrigger box has been transported separately.
Handrails on the crane body can be folded up from the
transport mode. Four access ladders can be folded
down from the carrier deck.
The outrigger beams can extended and the pads lowered, and feature
an excellent pad pinning feature with fine wire clips.
The range of downward travel on the pistons is very
good, and the model can be supported wheels-free.
The operator's cab rotates from the transport position, and can
also be tilted.
The crane rotates smoothly without rocking.
The counterweight system can be mounted on the carrier deck during self-assembly.
The counterweight frame has useable lifting jacks to enable the
counterweight to be connected and disconnected from the
crane body although this is fiddly to use.
Raising the boom is easy with the locking mechanism on
the main boom rams using a key to tighten grub screws
on the jacket tops.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring lock
to clip each boom section. It is possible to lock
each section at approximately 46%, 92% and 100% extension.
The
TY guy system can be displayed as a transport load with
a transport bar included to maintain the shape.
When in place the system performs well with each side tensioned
by using the key in the smoothly operating winches which
have a positive brake. A reasonable tension can be maintained
in the system.
The key is also used to operate the main winch. It has
a push-in action with a positive brake, and it works
very well. However, the plastic pulleys in the boom
head are not particularly free rolling.
Different hook blocks can be reeved, and they each have
rotating hooks and working safety latches.
Lifting chains and a lifting beam and shackles
can be used. A lifting device for the ballast
blocks is also useable.
Quality
This is a high quality model which is made well, and the
parts fit together well too.
The paintwork and graphics are generally excellent.
Price
It is
very good value for a limited edition large crane model.
Overall
This is another excellent version of the LTM 1650 by WSI
and the Ainscough colour scheme is attractive. It is a
fitting model to commemorate Ainscough's 50th
anniversary.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in Liebherr
yellow at the Bauma exhibition in October 2022.
This version in Ainscough colours appeared
in September 2026 as a limited edition of 120 models. |
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|
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| The tray. |
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| Light weight transport configuration. |
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| Excellent
Ainscough decoration. |
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| A bumper at
the rear instead of the outrigger box.. |
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With a matching ballast carrier. |
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| Unloading
the outrigger box. |
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| Excellent
spreader plates. |
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Lifting in the outrigger box. |
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|
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Lifting beam included.
|
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| Excellent
boom profile. |
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