Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Dear all,

I have built 3 working scale models of cranes, a Manitowoc 4100W with Ringer (1/25), a 4600 S-5 (1/25) and a Krupp 180GMT (1/20) with counterweight truck.

In 2006 I started on a scale model of the Liebherr LTM1800 expecting about 10 years to complete it. I chose this crane because it has so many possibilities, both telescopic as lattice boom, derrick mast, etc.

The axles; it has 16x8 drive and I wanted to do this for the model as well. Steering is on 6 axles. I bought the differentials (Traxass) and built the axles around them. This saved me a lot of time and they turned out pretty good. The only disadvantage was that these differentials are a bit bulky for this scale.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5...ch20081fj1.jpg

I put a lot of strength (and thought) in the central part of the carrier frame, because all the forces are going through this part. It also needed to accommodate 2 drive axles and the slewing ring and the electrical controls need to go through the slewing ring to the upper.
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3647/img0398tz2.jpg

The slewing ring is almost an exact copy of the real one, same principal with the motor located in the rear of the carrier. It has an optional quick disconnect which raises the upper a bit, but makes it very easy to take the upper off. There are only a handful of real ones with this feature.
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4...ber2008le9.jpg

I made the outriggers of steel, brazed together for strength. The outriggers have small geared motors inside and work with a spindle.
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6702/img0910fy7.jpg.
Here is a video of the outriggers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1kol40B3ow

Most of the drive line is finished. It has 16x8 drive, a transfer box with 2 speeds and a central differential. I still have to make the main gearbox. The steering is done with a servo in the front. I am not sure if this servo is strong enough. It might need a stronger one.
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6702/img0910fy7.jpg

This picture shows the working outriggers and the upper almost finished. The upper is made entirely from AL and the winches have individual motors. The winches can be lifted out easily, like the real one. I choose to leave the second winch out and use the space for electrical stuff. I managed to make a device that pushes the A frame up till it is in a working position.

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9...01013902pm.jpg

And this one shows the A frame being raised:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLI-NwKSGx4

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

A few more images:
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/7...800mar2010.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5750/img1181.jpg

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Very impressive work. Looks like alot of thought went into it.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Looks amazing. So how many years in are you? ;)

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

All I can say is WOW!!! And everyone says I am detail crazy! Your drivetrain looks incredible.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

More pictures:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3329/img1169n.jpg
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4176/img1178.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1646/img1185a.jpg
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7...01013936pm.jpg

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

outrigger motor:
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2062/image6lz.jpg

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

absolutly amazing

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Amazing workarounds for the size limitations and still make it look and function like real thing!

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

I love the outrigger solution. Very clever! Outstanding job overall on this model.

In some of the pictures I I see what looks like a homemade transmission but I'm a little confused. Does it contain a differential? If so why, I'm not sure I understand it's purpose. Thanks.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

It is a differential and the purpose is to divide the power between the rear 2 axles and the front 2 axles. This way it will have permanent 8 wheel drive.

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Very nice work. The 2 speeds trans is a nice touch, you are not cuttings corners anywhere!:cool:

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Thanks everybody for the compliments and the encouraging words!
I will keep you updated, but have patience, it will take time, it is a slow process and i don't have a lot of time to build. Luckily i have a corner of my workplace for building my cranes and that gives me the opportunity to often spend 20 minutes after work working on the LTM1800.

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Here is a link to a photo album with pictures of my (more or less) finished scale models.

• • In 1/25 Manitowoc 4100W also with Ringer,
  • In 1/20 Krupp 180GMT,
  • In 1/20 mercedes truck 2644 with 5 axle Goldhofer trailer for the counterweights.
  • In 1/25 Liebherr LTM1800
  • In 1/35 Demag TC 600 (non motorized)

http://picasaweb.google.com/kerstdejong3/ScaleModels#

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Kerst, I'm glad you made it over here. I really like the 4100 ringer, that is something. Do you have a video of it working, I didn't see it? Your work is incredible, look forward to more.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

I second that!

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

the WOW factor is really up there

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Wow. Most impressive! I can't over the fact that it's only 1/24 scale, which seems so small, but that has to present enough challanges by itself. I would think a crane like this would be easier to built in 1/16 or 1/14 scale, but then it would be a monster! The drivetrain is incredible, considering the size. I'm amazed that you are able to pull it off because of the size. Awesome.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

THAT IS SO AMAZING! what tools are you using to make this?

thanks

zach

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

wow your doing a really nice job on it keep up the good work.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

This is too much! At least I can rest assured now that i'm not the only one nuts enough to tackle an operating crane in 1/24-1/25. I didn't know there were cranes posted in this section of the forum. I assumed they'd be in the "Construction Equipt", so I posted mine there. You should post a link to this crane there too, I know some of us tend to stay close to a given section of the forum, and can miss something great like this. It's amazing the differing approaches to achieve the same results on something. That differential transmission is unbelievable.
I'll definately be checking out your other work, but it's late now, I gotta hit the hay. Here'm mine if you want to take a look:
http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...read.php?t=203

I didn't know forums like this existed, as i was looking in the wrong places, I guess! I have to say, your crane is inspirational! Dan

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

This is an amazing build, I'm feel like I'm way outclassed here. Like I went to the corvett rally at bowling green plant in a pacer.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Progress has been slow, too many other things to do.
But i managed to make the cab for the upper.
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5...0201011253.jpg
here is a link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Sorry Kerst I just had to:D
http://www.amcpacer.com/images/archives/mcrawford-5.jpg

http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/89496..._side_view.jpg

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

is that you?

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Hey, Kerst, I took a look at a couple of the videos. I'm a little puzzled as to how your upper unit is going to operate, but obviously you have it down. Watching the outriggers lift the whole thing is awesome! What are you using for the cable in your rigging? Dan

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Hi Dan,
Each drum has its own motor(s) and the swing motor is located in the carrier, like the real crane. i will lead all the electrics through he slewing ring and have a socket in the carrier to connect to a remote control box, so it will be remote, but not radio control. i am not sure yet where to put this socket in the carrier. For the steering of the wheels I use a servo and a servo tester. There just is no space for all the gear needed for RC control and I mostly operate it on a table, so it is not going so far.
I am using 1 mm nylon cable. I use it on all my cranes and it is both strong and flexible.
The controls for the outriggers are on the right side behind the carrier cab. just fitted!

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

this really is killer! i need to get back on my crane.....

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Where do you get this nylon cable? Sounds exactly like what I need. I've been using silk fishing line, probably made in the '60s. Strong and round, but MAN is it hard to find. Does the nylon cable come in larger sizes that you know of?

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

I bought it more than 15 years ago in Britain @ RS Components. It came in a 500 meter reel, which is a life time supply for me.

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Very impressive, Kerst! The cab looks fantastic, and I can see things coming together nicely, even if it's a bit slow. What gauge of aluminum did you use to make the cab, and how did you cut the windows out so cleanly? The whole super structure is just amazing.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

The cab is made of 1/8" and 1/16' AL and I used my mill to do the windows.
Slow, bur a lot of fun for me!

Thanks for your comments,

kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

That is nice

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

I haven’t had much time during December, too busy, but I found bits of time and I worked on the electrical system. At the heart of this is the rotary connector, which I built from scratch.
I will use the same control console as I use for my Krupp 180GMT and I put the connectors underneath one of the outriggers, not very elegant, but it was the only option. On the picture one can also see the swing motor tucked in above the rear bogie.
The rotary connector has 4 sockets, so I can simply plug in the motors in the upper.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/9...connector1.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4643/img2088cj.jpg


kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

I originally was going to make my own collector rings but found one that suited.
Looking at your picture; Is the brass soldered to the aluminum? I've never tried to do that before.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

The rings are brass and the wires are soldered to this ring directly (inside). the pins are steel with wires soldered to them. I used the torch for that! All the rest is plastic.

Kerst

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

Hey Kerst, thank's for posting the picture's! Back in 1987 at the Conexpo Conag show, somebody brought a large layout with working crane's in your scale. Can't remember his name, but alway's incredible! I missed every time, he operated them. Found out through one of the trade rag's, what I really missed at the show. Any other contractor's remember this? Later, Neil#2 aka doodlebug.

Re: Liebherr LTM1800 scale 1/24
 

.
Oh, did you mean the frame?
I glued the Al and brass together, but for strength a 1/4' bolt connects the brass with the center ring, a similar setup like pre-stressed concrete.
I like to use AL, because it is light and easy to work with and i found very good glue. But i don't rely completely on the glue; I mostly add bolts.
i made the outrigger beams from steel, because I wanted a lot of strength there.
I plan to make the telescopic boom from AL too. it should work and it will flex a lot more than steel. And i would like to achieve that effect.

Kerst