 |
| Tadano
branded box.
|
 |
 |
| The parts allow
a convoy to be formed. |
 |
| Raised on its
jacks. |
 |
| Underneath. |
 |
| Detailed cab
and very nice mesh walkways. |
 |
| Counterweight
is formed of separate slabs. |
 |
| Ready for work. |
|
|
 |
| At work. |
 |
| Tadano load
plate is included. The single line hook block is
not included with the model. |
|
The
Tadano GTC-2000 Telescopic Boom Crawler Crane is a 200
US ton class crane designed for city work. In
Europe it is understood to be the GTC-1800EX model.
The real crane first appeared at Bauma 2019 in Demag colours.
Packaging
It comes in a Tadano-branded box. The model parts are
wrapped in soft paper and are held within expanded polystyrene trays which are
held together with plastic clips.
The review model had a missing support
bracket for the lattice fly jib. IMC supplied the part
quickly.
The
manual is excellent. It describes
the model, with clear photos and instructions. Different length pins
are supplied in numbered bags, and good quality tools
are supplied to assemble and operate the model.
Detail
The
metal tracks are fine quality detailed castings and the
track frames have graphics applied. There are no
working rollers, but access steps are attached and on
one frame a ladder can be stored.
There are four hydraulic jacks for use in self-assembly
of the crane, and two metal ballast boxes fit between
the track frames. On top of the frames are excellent mesh
walkway platforms.
The
cab has window wipers, and the
interior detail is good with red-tipped joysticks. Small graphics enhance the
detailing around the cab. Exterior walkways have
diamond plated surfaces.
The body has cast in details with some paint
highlighting, and there are small warning sign graphics.
Hydraulic hoses run to the winches and good quality rope
is wound on the drums.
The counterweight slabs have chevrons and useable
lifting lugs.
The main boom ram
has a metal jacket. The profile of the telescopic
boom is very good with inner sections having a two colour
finish.
The sheaves on the model seem to be metal painted white
to resemble the nylon-type sheaves used on the real crane.
The swing away fly jib is metal with the luffing rams
having plastic jackets. A separate head sheave is
also supplied.
A single metal three sheave hook block is included and it is
good. The model really needs a separate smaller
hook to complement the fly jib.
A Tadano
plate is provided to keep tension on the hoist rope.
Features
The
tracks are spring loaded and roll freely. The
track frames are extendible, and the walkway above
telescopes accordingly. It is also possible to
remove the track frames. Stairs on the track
frames can be opened out, and the removable ladder can
be posed during erection procedures.
The self-assembly jacks can be locked out of position or
pinned vertically and the jacks unscrewed to raise the crane. In
practice the pins easily drop out so care is needed, and
some positions are difficult to install.
The cab tilts to a good angle and holds any pose.
A walkway can be extended out from under the cab.
Raising the boom is easy as the locking mechanism on the
main boom ram is by using a supplied key to tighten a
screw and this works well. However, the key and
screw are very small so care needs to be taken to not
apply too much force.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring
clip to lock each boom section at maximum extension or
45%.
A key is used to operate the winches.
They are spring loaded with decent brakes. Winch
motors are supplied as separate parts which can be
plugged into the winch key holes to make accurate poses.
The lattice jib extension can be carried on the side
of the boom, or fitted for use. The jib angle can
be altered by using the luffing rams which are stiff to
operate.
The head sheave can be attached or swung to the side out
of service.
The second winch can be added or left off.
Unfortunately, there is no hook supplied for use with the
second winch and although the manual advises to tie the
rope off directly to the Tadano load plate, it does not
look right. Most collectors will want to add a second
simple hook block.
Quality
This model is very good quality with a high metal
content. The use of plastic is appropriate and executed well.
The paint finish is very good, and the
many small graphics are
sharp.
Price
It is good value for the flexibility of the
model.
Overall
This is a functional and large model
from IMC. It is very well presented, and the
detailing gives the model an authentic look. A
second hook block for use with the jib extension would
be a welcome addition.
Footnotes
The model was released in February 2022. |
|
|
|
 |
| Parts and
manual. |
 |
| Makes a good
transport load. |
 |
| Ready to fix a
track frame. |
 |
| Very detailed
tracks. |
|
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Nice detail
around the winches. |
 |
| Decent boom
profile. |
 |
| Lifting a tram
load. |
|
