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| The box.
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| DHG V / HDSG tray. |
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| Posed as a
load. The A-frame sits high. |
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| Attractive
Malcolm colour scheme. |
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|
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| Metal hook. |
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| Underneath.
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| Excellent teeth
on the grab. |
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| Plastic hose
reel has an excellent colour match. |
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| Heavy hydraulic
grab. |
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| At work. |
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The MC 96 is a duty cycle crane optimised for repetitive
foundation activities. Depending on configuration
it weighs around 120 tonnes. When used as a crane it
has a maximum capacity of up to 130 tonnes at 4m
radius.
The DHG V Grab System is designed for excavating
underground panels for applications such as diaphragm
walls for basements or slurry walls.
This model is in the colours of Malcolm, a US foundation
engineering company.
Packaging
The packaging consists of an outer sleeve enclosing two
sets of trays, one of which holds the MC 96 and one
holds the DHG V / HDSG Hydraulic Grab and Hose Handling System.
There were no missing parts
or defects on the review model.
An instruction book is included with
the model and it has parts lists, written instructions
in German and English, and reasonable annotated photos.
However it does not cover the MC 96 in crane mode, or
the particular grab system modelled here which is a
pity.
There is no information about the real machine.
Detail
The MC 96
crane has good quality metal crawler tracks with
detailed pads but there are no working rollers on the track frames.
The cab is plastic but the interior is good
with the joysticks clearly modelled. The crane
body is metal including the
removable side panel which allows access to the winches.
Casting detailing on the body is very good with grilles and
panel handles, and small graphics add to the look.
The model features the optional walkways of the
real crane and these are metal. Each side has an add-on
access ladder and these are soft plastic. The handrails
around the top of the body are metal, but their plug-in
connection to the body is variable so it can be fiddly to get them aligned
straight. The plastic exhaust pipe is good and there is textured walkway on the roof.
There is a cover plate for the hydraulic
connections which can be used in foundation mode. The
Malcolm decoration and graphics are excellent
At the rear the counterweight is a single large block
with six smaller blocks which can be optionally added
for use in crane mode. They are easy to knock off
however.
The A-frame is metal with a solid pulley block
and so is not free-running. Separate pulleys would
be much better. The
pendant connection has the equaliser modelled but it is
not functional which is a pity as it would have evened
the tension in the two pendant lines. The wire ropes
are good though, with interlocking connectors and nut and
bolt connections.
The boom sections are all metal. They are
nicely cast with riveted walkway mesh and tiny black
bolts to make the connections. The boom head is a very
nicely made metal part with metal pulleys. Out
of the box it has two pendants fixed. A large metal hook is supplied with
two pulleys.
The DHG V grab is an impressive large part which is
mainly metal.
The frame is modelled in metal with
the steering plates being plastic but they
are detailed and have a very good colour match to the
metal parts. Inside the frame the detailing is
very good including the hydraulic ram that drives the
grab.
At the top the swivel motor is modelled. The grab
is metal with very nicely highlighted teeth.
The
cable drums are plastic parts with an excellent colour
match. The hoses are a little on the stiff
side but good looking poses can be obtained. They
run over metal guide wheels mounted on plastic fixing
brackets. Hydraulic lines run to the connection
plate at the front of the MC 96.
Features
The tracks roll well and are mounted on extendible
frames.
The crane rotates reasonably smoothly.
The boom can be luffed but the range is restricted by
the amount of rope on the luffing winch drum at one end,
and by a restraint on the A-frame at the other end.
The model is stable within the range of allowable boom
movement.
The crane counterweight is detachable as are the
walkways so it is possible to pose the MC 96 as a
transport load. However, the A-frame cannot be
posed accurately.
The three winches are operated by plastic keys which are
stored behind the removable panel. They do not have
positive brakes but there is enough friction to hold
moderate loads.
The grab can be held and raised and lowered although
this means adjusting the three winches and two hose
reels so it requires some co-ordination.
The grab opens and closes in a precise manner.
The grab frame rotates on its connection so that panels
which are angled to the crane can be excavated.
Quality
This is a nice quality model with a high metal
content. Plastic has generally been used
appropriately with an excellent colour match to
metal parts.
The paint and graphics are very good.
Price
It is good value given the complexity and flexibility of
the model.
Overall
This model looks great in the colours of Malcolm.
It is a great combination of detail and functionality,
with the lack of instructions being a negative point.
Footnotes
This version of the model first became available in
October 2023., with other colours also produced.
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|
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| Profile view. |
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| MC 96 tray. |
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| On the road. |
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| Metal
handrails. |
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| Rigged as a
crane. |
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| Looks
impressive. |
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|
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| Textured
walkways and grilles on the roof. |
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| Impressive
foundation machine. |
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| Looks great. |
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