Liebherr A900C ZW Wheeled Excavator
Presented here is the updated 1:50th scale Liebherr A900C ZW "Road/Rail" wheeled excavator from NZG. The main difference to the previous release is the new body casting with different side panel detailing and a new shaped top engine cover. The decals reflect the new excavator marking scheme with Liebherr prominently displayed on the boom.
The detail level is amazing for a model so small with the new body casting showing all the detail of the real machine, right down to the double cab doors and all the warning & working lights. The cab is highly detailed with a fully reproduced interior featuring 2 seats, handrails, mirrors and internal controls.
The outriggers operate and have pivoting pads along with hydraulically operated rail wheels that can be lowered to engage with the section of track. The steering is functional and the tread pattern on the tyres is different on the outer wheels to the inner wheels like the real machine, which is another nice addition.
The boom is fully functional and is finished with hydraulic pipework and warning labels. Even the rivets used to join the boom sections have been touched up. The offset boom tilts both left and right and the model is supplied with both a tilting grading bucket and clamshell grab.
The bucket is removable from the stick by removing the 2 pins. Spare pins were provided in the box along with a piece of railway track with metal rails. The track has 2 lugs allowing it to be connected to other pieces of track.
The markings and paintwork are fantastic on the model and this is a good update of an interesting machine. It is good to see Liebherr update the model to reflect the changes made to the full sized machine and most companies would not have gone to the trouble of having a new casting made.
The picture below shows the difference between the old and updated versions of the model. (Updated version on the left, original version on the right). There are some small differences which are hard to spot including the painted cab door handles and the different orientation of the hydraulic lines on the offset boom.
