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Raimondi branded box.
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Metal blocks stabilise
the bottom of the tower. |
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Nicely detailed
cab. |
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Very straight jib.
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Not all jib sections
are separable. |
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The full model. |
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Overall
geometry
is very good. |
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Raimondi
is an Italian maker of tower cranes.
The MRT234 was introduced at the Intermat Exhibition in
2018.
It has a maximum jib length of 70m and can lift up to 12
tonnes, depending on configuration.
This model is in 1:87 scale, and it is in engineered plastic,
with the metal parts limited to the counterweight and ballast
blocks, and the pulleys and hook. The model reviewed
was a pre-production version.
Packaging
The model box is a Raimond-branded sleeve enclosing foam
rubber with the parts inserted.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.
The model comes as a kit and has to be assembled.
No assembly instructions were provided with this pre-production
version although the final version may have some. However,
it is straightforward to build the model.
Detail
The cruciform base has feet which were not perfectly level
on the review model. The ballast blocks have metal inside.
There is some detail to represent layers of concrete counterweight
blocks.
The mast sections are made up of 10 realistic length sections
which are the same as the real crane. Plastic ladder
sections and platforms are included, although the ladders
are vertical rather than angled. The mast sections
join together using small screws, and they give a robust
connection.
Detail at the cab level is very good, and inside, the seat
has joystick controls. Behind the cab there are hand rails
and a cabinet.
The counter jib has a detailed structure, and it looks realistic.
It is integral with the tower head, but can be separated from
the slewing ring. The Raimondi name board looks good.
The jib is very straight and looks realistic. A
plastic trolley motor adds detail.
The trolley is also plastic and includes a basket,
but only two pulleys are provided meaning the model cannot
be reeved in four-fall mode. The hook is metal and
would allow four-fall reeving if it were possible.
Small metal pulleys are used on the model.
There is not enough rope on the drum to allow the hook to
be posed much lower than approximately half-height.
Features
The tower can be built in a variety
of heights. As the jib has not been modelled in all
of the separate sections of the real crane only two configurations
are possible.
The crane rotates although it is jerky rather than smooth.
The trolley can be positioned anywhere along the jib by
hand.
The hoist can be operated using a supplied key, but there
is no friction on the drum so it unwinds easily.
However there is too much friction in the overall system
for the hook to operate smoothly.
Posing is limited by the short length of
rope on the drum.
Quality
This an almost entirely plastic model, although for the
most part the engineering plastic used is decent quality.
The paintwork is very good with detailed graphics.
Price
It is
understood that it will be fully priced having regard
that it is a plastic model.
Overall
It is very good to see a mass-produced Raimondi tower crane
model. It looks realistic on the skyline, although
the functionality is less good, and collectors will have
to note it is plastic rather than diecast metal.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Intermat Show in 2018.
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Inside the box.
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Screwed connections
are fairly discrete. Ladders are vertical. |
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Counterjib and
counterweight look good. |
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Trolley and
hook have metal pulleys. |
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Convincing
appearance. |
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