Liebherr R960 Demolition

Presented here is the Liebherr R960 demolition tracked excavator from Conrad, a successor to the popular R954BV. The undercarriage features width adjustment of the track frames for stability when using the 34 metre high reach boom and this works well, with hardly any drooping on full extension. The individually linked tracks are narrow with double grouser pads, tensioned idler wheels and detailed drive sprockets. The sides of the track frames have a pair of silver finished access steps.

The main body accurately captures the curves and grill insets of the full sized machine with an extended rear counterweight with an integral underside ballast plate. The weight of the base model is impressive, with a predominantly metal construction and little plastic used.

The cabin has a modelled interior highlighting the operator’s hand controls and seat with a plastic protective debris screen covering the front and roof window. The entire cabin is hinged, tilting back to about 25 degrees to give the operator a better view when working at height and this is hydraulically powered and holds position.

Two booms are included in the box. First up is the standard digging boom which can be attached to the base boom in two locations, one offering an increased working height. The boom is fitted with silver finished fixed hydraulic pipes and flexible black hoses which work well, adding to the level of realism and connecting to the base boom to look like the connection system is functional. The bucket has good structuring of the teeth and wear plating with a very full range of movement.

The silver finished safety railings fitted to the body are made from metal with yellow coloured grab handles fitted along the upper edge of the body

The 34 metre long reach boom is equally impressive, with a lot of effort going into replicating the hydraulic hoses on the back of the boom; this alone gives the model a very realistic finish.

The stick is actually made from plastic but this is hard to spot, and prevents the model from toppling over with the boom fully extended. It is fitted with a quick coupler allowing the new concrete nibbler attachment to be exchanged for the included sorting grab.

The nibbler has springs fitted, so the jaws remain closed and it is possible to actually hold debris in the jaws which is a very nice touch.

Also included in the box are a set of stands, one for the long reach boom and one for the digging boom.

These are made from metal with integrated ladders with a ridged anti-slip upper texture and platforms with safety railings.

This is a very welcome addition and shows the attention to detail that Conrad has put into creating this excellent replica of Liebherr’s latest demolition rig. The paint finish is to a high standard with an even finish topped with several tiny warning labels, layered printing of the engine grill and accurate placement of the Liebherr markings.

As a demolition rig, it is the ideal carrier for numerous attachments, and the range from Gaz Evans includes the Xcentric XC60 crusher bucket (Shown above) which is a perfect fit to replace the bucket.

Also available is a Rotar RSS-50 scrap shear which is stick mountable and again fits perfectly when using the oilquick coupler supplied with the shear

Mechanical attachments are also interesting, like the Mutley Plant concrete pulveriser (shown above) and the Mutley rock grapple (Shown below)

With a little more modification, the Liebherr R960 can be fitted with the Indeco scrap shear by removing the stick and replacing it with the boom mount version of the RSS 45/90R scrap shear, as shown below