1:50th Scale Liebherr LRB255 Accessory Set
Presented here is the 1:50th scale drill and hammer accessory set for the Liebherr LRB255 universal piling and drilling rig. The set is a very nice release with five different drilling / piling attachments allowing the base model to be set up in a number of different configurations.
32VRM Ring Vibrator
The 32VRM ring vibrator is used for vibrating long pipes by clamping the pipe and vibrating it into the ground. The clamps can be released and repositioned to allow extra long pipes to be installed and an added benefit is that the pipe can be filled with a re-enforcement cage and concrete without having to remove the vibrator which speeds up the operation.
The model has captured all the features of the full sized attachment with detailed clamping system and vibration motor detailing cast into the side faces of the attachment. The motors are protected by a black frame and a silver metal platform has been added above the vibrator frame with swinging concrete transfer pipe which would be used for filling the pipe with concrete.
The attachment hooks onto the sliding plate on the LRB255 and is secured with the supplied metal pin. The small diameter pipe is also supplied in the box and slides into the opening of the clamps. The lower support clamp is fitted to the lower section of the mast by removing the pin to open it up and then sliding it onto the mast before re-pinning it into position.
There are two support clamps supplied in the box with different lengths for the different attachments and when used with the ring oscilator, two small plastic spacers are required to hold the pipe securely. Two pipes are supplied along with a coupler which allows the pipes to be joined together to create one very long pipe.
H110 Hydraulic Hammer
The H110 hydraulic hammer has been designed for heavy duty applications to drive steel, concrete or wooden piles into the ground. The short body maximises the length of pile that can be driven and interchangeable drop weights give greater flexibility.
The 1:50th scale H110 replica is a rather heavy block of metal with surface cast detailing of the re-enforcement structure of the hammer frame. The internal drop weight slides smoothly within the frame and the pile fits snugly into the opening of the hammer tip. Hydraulic piping has been added which terminates at a small platform where the main hydraulic piping of the LRB255 model connects by friction fit into the rectangular slot.
As with the ring vibrator, the small support clamp which has simulated hydraulics with protective covers is required and the pile is the same diameter as the one used for the ring vibrator so the plastic spacers are required. The upper frame of the hammer has a small hole where the winch cable needs to be connected winch is needed to hold the attachment in position on the mast.
Double Rotary Drilling System
The double rotary drilling system consists of a casing and continuous flight auger which are driven by two independent rotary hydraulic drives. The casing and auger work in tandem to drill to the required depth with the spoil brought up to the surface in the space between the casing and internal flushing pipe. Once the hole is drilled, concrete is pumped to the bottom of the drilled shaft as the auger and casing are simultaneously extracted, before the re-enforcing cage is inserted into the liquid concrete.
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This is a very interesting attachment and NZG have ensured that the double rotary ability is fully functional on the model. The internal auger rotates within while the outer casing is a snug fit to the outer drive housing which also rotates and this is a very nice addition on the model. The digging end of the casing has a metal collar which fits onto the end by friction fit and has a notched edge to simulate the cutting shoes which help to cut into the ground. |
The large suport clamp is required when using the double rotary attachment and this has two holes to set the opening diameter and the clamp needs to be opened at it's maximum for the casing pipe to fit snugly.
Continuous Flight Auger Drilling
The continuous flight auger is used for foundation piles, pile walls, drilling for steel piles and sealing pile applications and consists of a long auger with internal flush pipe which is drilled into the ground. Once at the final depth, concrete in pumped into the flush pipe which escapes through an opening at the tip of the auger where the pressure ensures that the empty space is filled with concrete as the auger is extracted.
The attachment hooks onto the LRB255 mast and is secured with the supplied pin. Hydraulic piping has been added to the transfer moulding where the LRB hydraulic piping is connected and is fitted to the two hydraulic motors which are replicated. The housing has a central concrete transfer pipe which rotates and the metal auger is attached to the shaft, allowing it to freely rotate.
The continuous flight auger is the same casting as that fitted to the double drilling attachment and on the sample reviewed here, both have a misalignment of the casting which would indicate that the moulds were not correctly lined up when the part was cast. The support clamp is needed to keep the continuous flight auger in position and the tip of the auger has cast digging tip detailing.
Kelly & Casing Oscilator Drilling
The hydraulic casing ocsilator is used to drive large diameter casings into the ground and clearing the spoil with the kelly auger attachment. The clamping collar surrounds the casing to give a consistent surface pressure and the working height of the collar prevents damage to the casing. Hydraulic pistons rotate the collar back and forth whilst two more hydraulics lower the collar, pushing the casing into the ground. The collar is released and repositioned and the cycle starts again.
The casing oscilator replica is fully functional and fits to the undercarriage of the LRB255 model by inserting the frame connectors into the slots cast into the undercarriage cross member. The height of the collar can be adjusted and there is a slight oscilation of the collar but on the sample reviewed here, this is very stiff and it looks like it is a little fragile
The connecting frame extends to allow good alignment with the kelly drill adapter and flexible hydraulic piping has been added to the clamp hydraulics, which open to allow the large metal pipe to be placed into the collar. The collar can then be closed to grip the casing pipe and hold it in position.
The kelly bar and auger drill are mounted to the mast of the LRB255 and the main frame has detailed drive motor and cast suspension detailing with flexible hydraulic piping fitted between the motor and transfer moulding.
The tip of the kelly bar is connected to the winch which allows the auger to be raised / lowered and the casting of the kelly bar has a channel which connects with, and slides along the motor drive housing allowing the auger to be positioned inside or outside the adapter which fits to the casing pipe using the supplied plastic collar.
The kelly auger and housing are metal and quite heavy and the model can become top heavy if the auger is raised too high, potentially causing the model to topple over. Once the adapter is connected to the casing pipe, the balance is much better.
This is a very interesting accessory set and really brings the LRB255 to life. There are a number of display possibilities and my favourite has to be the casing oscilator and kelly drill. The attachments are supplied in a two piece polystyrene carton with outer printed box. An instruction sheet is also supplied showing the different configurations that can be built.