When the R996 was introduced in 1995, it was Liebherr's largest excavator until the R9800 was presented in 2008. In the beginning it weighed 530 t (1,168,400 lb) and grew over time to 672 t (1,481,500 lb) operating weight. It is powered by two Cummins Diesel engines K 1800 E with 1500 hp each. The machine is equipped with a 28 m³ shovel (36.6 cuyd).

The model shows an early painting scheme, later machines as well as models featured a gray undercarriage and a gray shovel. The figurine is originally included to demonstrate the size of the machine.