Mercedes Actros Tractor with HTM1204 Concrete Mixer Trailer
Presented here is the 1:50th scale HTM1204 concrete mixer body fitted to a 2-axle trailer with Mercedes Actros tractor unit, painted red with a red & white striped drum from Conrad. The HTM1204 has a capacity of 20.7 cubic metres and can also be fitted to a rigid truck chassis.
The mixer drum is all-metal with a plastic lip and this gives the model an impressively heavy feel. The drum rotates smoothly with a detailed hydraulic motor and water tank fixed to the frame. The main chute can be rotated to either side and is mounted to a pivoting arm which allows the chute to swing away from the drum opening.
The rear frame has an integrated observation platform with accurately scaled access ladder and safety railings. A protective bar is located at the rear of the trailer with light housings on each side. The two axles are mounted to the trailer frame with replicated suspension arms which pivot to demonstrate the suspension found on the full sized unit.
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The tractor unit has a frame fixed to the top of the chassis where the flexible hydraulic piping is connected. There is also a silver platform with a textured surface and chromed silencer box, complete with Mercedes logo fixed to the chassis. |
The frame includes a hydraulic pump with cooling fan housing which is used to power the hydraulic drum motor on the trailer. The flexible hose connects to a swinging arm that is mounted to the trailer.
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The front detailing of the cab and grill has been accurately produced with integrated driving lights with clear plastic lenses and inset amber indicator lights on the outer edges. The tilting cab reveals the engine block casting at the heart of the chassis. The front wheels have a very good range of steering movement with a replicated drivetrain to the rear axles. The trailer can be uncoupled from the tractor with the use of a standard fifth wheel coupling. |
The Actros cab has been nicely captured with crisp body panel detailing. Holes have been incorporated into the casting for the rear view mirrors and radio aerials to be fitted and door handles have been inset into the sides of the cab which look good.
The paint finish is very good with crisp printing of the red & white drum stripes and the model is available exclusively from the Liebherr online shop. The HTM1204 mixer body is also available mounted to a 10x4 MAN TGS rigid chassis and also a 2-axle trailer with MAN TGS tractor unit. The Mercedes Actros tractor version is pictured below alongside the MAN TGS rigid HTM1204 mixer.
