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Wolff 700 B Luffing Jib Tower Crane

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  2032
Scale:  1:87
Review Date:  May 2018


Conrad Index
Tower Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 9
Detail   (max 30) 24
Features   (max 20) 17
Quality   (max 25) 21
Price   (max 15) 12
Overall   (max 100) 83%

Footnotes


Wolff 700 B Luffing Jib Tower Crane + US Kit Video.  [Youku Video]
Wolff branded box.
Parts in the bottom layer.
Large climbing frame.
 
Machinery deck looks really good.
Jib sections have mesh walkways.
Jib supported during erection by the assembly brace ropes.
Full 70m configuration.
The name is on the plate.
Strut prevents over-luffing.  Realistic steep angle.



The Wolff 700 B is one of the largest in their luffing jib range.  It has a maximum jib length of 70m, and a maximum capacity of 40 tonnes.

Packaging

The model comes in a high quality Wolff branded box with the parts held in foam rubber.

The review model had no defects or missing parts.

There is a detailed instruction manual for the model which is pictorial and it has a list of parts. The possible jib configurations of the real crane are shown.

Detail

Starting at the bottom the cross frame is a detailed casting and it clips into four concrete coloured pads.  The large ballast blocks are single pieces shaped like separate slabs and the Wolff name is on each slab.

The tower sections are very good with the fixing positions rotated at each corner like the real crane. Plastic bolts are used for the connections and these work very well.  Inside each section there are plastic ladders and platforms.  Each tower section on the model is the length of two sections on the real crane which is a pity as it means the model cannot be posed with a section on the climbing frame. 

A capacity board clips in to the tower.

The climbing frame is very robust and the lattice work seems thick.  The access platforms are nice, but the main ram is modelled in metal as part of the main casting rather than being a separate component, and the tray has a solid bottom.

The slewing ring and counterjib are modelled very well, and the winches look realistic and the auxiliary crane on the machinery deck is modelled too.  All the handrails and ladders are in metal.   The counterweight is made up of solid blocks, but is cast to look like separate slabs.

The cab is very good considering the scale, and windscreen wipers are replicated by graphics.

The upper tower head section is very good and it is made up of separate parts so could be used to make transport loads.  The pulleys are metal, as they are everywhere else on the model.  The strut that prevents over-luffing of the jib is also modelled.

The jib is excellent with a very straight profile.  It is made up of separate sections just like the real crane, and the lattice work is fine quality, and mesh walkways add detail.  Some sections have internal pulleys for the hoist rope.  There are access platforms at the jib end and these are plastic, presumably to keep the weight down, but they look fine.  The assembly brace ropes are modelled, but they are a stiff thread so they do not hang in a nice catenary shape when not in use.

The hook block is a nicely detailed part considering the scale.  A Wolff branded plate is provided for use as a load.

Features

The crane rotates smoothly.

The luffing winch works well, and luffing is smooth.  It is operated by a key and relies on friction to hold a position.  Over luffing is accurately prevented by the strut on the upper tower head section.

The hoist winch also works well, and the hook can be reeved for 1, 2 or 3 falls.

The other main feature of the model is the configuration options.  The tower can be built in different heights, with or without the climbing frame, and all of the jib lengths of the real crane can be replicated.  The crane can also be accurately displayed during various stages of erection.

Quality

This is a high quality and robust tower crane model, with a high metal content.

The paintwork is very good as are the graphics.

Price

It is good value given the quality and flexibility.

Overall

Conrad has a long history of making tower crane models in 1:87 scale, and this is the best so far. Apart from the double height tower sections it accurately replicates the parts of the real crane, meaning that realistic transport and erection poses can be made.  Above all, the model looks great when fully assembled.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the end of 2017.  A conversion kit to make the US version of the crane was also produced as Conrad #98031.
 
Top layer of parts and instruction sheet.
Profile view.
Very nice cross frame.  Capacity board on the tower.
Cab detail is very nice.
Wolff sign board.
Realistic.
 
Excellent jib profile.