 | | The box is vanilla style. |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Lights at the rear are painted simply. |  |  | | Nice looking graphics on the driving cab. |  | | Pairs up well with a Nooteboom ballast carrier. |  | | Star configuration outriggers. |  | | The counterweight tray sits on a special spacer piece before being attached to the crane. |  | | Underside detail is functional only. |  | | Counterweight attached to the crane. |  | | Ready to lift a beam from a Goldhofer STZ H10. |  | | Detail at the boom head. |  | | Superlift arrangements. |
| The AC500-2 is the second version of the crane and if features a Sideways Superlift (SSL) arrangement to improve the lifting duties. It is an eight axle crane with a capacity of 500 metric tonnes. To see photos of the real machine click here.
The review model is in the colours of Felbermayr, the Austrian contractor and heavy lifting / transport specialist.
Packaging
This version of the model comes in plain sleeved box which is a pity, as a branded box (Terex, Felbermayr or Conrad) would be a nicer presentation. Inside, the crane is packed inside a pair of polystyrene trays.
The review model had a minor paint defect and no missing parts.
An instruction sheet describes how to string up the superlift arrangement although it is actually for the previous version of the model rather than this SSL. Nonetheless, it is fairly straightforward to assemble and reeve the model.
Detail
This is a heavy model with very little plastic. Underneath it is purely functional with no detailing of the real crane chassis. The tyres are very good and they are mounted on the typical hubs that Conrad uses on its crane models.
The driving cab has detail internally although the steering wheel appears to sit a little high. There are no door mirrors or windscreen wipers but the beacon and main driving lights are good. Details behind the driving cab include an exhaust and various other elements.
Over the fourth axle there are a couple of holes in the main spine beam and into this fits a special piece which holds the counterweight tray during loading and unloading. Mud guards are provided for axles 4, 5 and 8. At the rear a frame holds the wheel chocks and the rear lighting cluster is painted on.
The outrigger beams are very impressive being two-stage metal. Each folds out and is retained horizontally by a small hydraulic cylinder and retaining rod fixed into its own slide rail. The outriggers themselves are of the typical screw thread type, with a separate plastic pad for each one. The whole arrangement looks very good particularly as there are small details cast within the outrigger beams.
The crane cab is nice with metal handrails and a detailed control console inside. The rest of the crane body includes pipe and frame work details. A couple of ladders are fixed to the front, and top surfaces have non-slip walking plates. The counterweight tray is one solid piece containing space for the luffing winch and it poses perfectly on the carrier body for loading / unloading, or it is fixed to the crane body by means of a couple of plastic pins. The counterweights supplied consist of five left and five right handed blocks. Each looks excellent complete with lifting lugs and graphics.
The boom is a five stage telescope of heavy and impressive construction with the usual internal locking mechanism to stop the sections sliding when fully extended. The boom head has a large number of plastic pulleys together with the lugs for attaching a fly jib. The Sideways Superlift mechanism is well made with most parts metal including the pendant bars and connection to the boom head. In transport mode the tie bars fold onto lugs fixed to the main boom and the bridle at the boom head clips into position.
A large hook block is supplied which has five pulleys and it goes well with a crane of this size.
Features
The front five axles are linked and steer proportionally, with the fifth axle hardly moving, and the rear three axles also steer proportionally. It works well and a good lock can be obtained.
The outriggers are fully working with extending beams and pads that screw down. The earlier version of this model had a problem with thread of the screws being insufficient to support the weight and although a problem was not experienced with this model, the design appears the same.
The crane cab is fixed onto a mechanism which allows both tilt, and the rotation from the transport to the operational position.
The boom is raised using two very large cylinders which are extremely stiff. They hold the boom very well, but you have to be strong to apply the necessary force to the model to extend the cylinders. The telescopic sections extend smoothly and lock into place when full extension is reached.
The Sideways Superlift works very well and tensions the boom effectively.
The hook can be operated by turning the winch drum directly with a finger.
Quality
This is a typically robust Conrad model and the metal content gives it a very heavy feel. The paintwork is very good and it certainly looks impressive in the Felbermayr livery.
Price
The AC500-2 is a pricey model, probably driven by its metal content, but it will be collectible in Felbermayr colours.
Overall
This model was introduced in its first version in 2001 and in that time detail and feature levels of new models have improved significantly. Having said that it remains an impressive good-looking model and most collectors of cranes will want to have it. It is recommended.
Footnotes
The model is a revised version of Conrad 2095. A luffing jib kit in Felbermayr's colours was also produced. |
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|  | | The model in the tray. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Heavy metal on the road. Steering lock is very good. |  | | Cab tucked in behind when travelling. |  | | Superlift arrangement is modelled well. |  | | The Cranes Etc team reeving the hook. |  | | About to unload the ballast. |  | | The cab has a detailed control console. |  | | Swinging around to fit the counterweight. |  | | Heavy load at the back. The cab is shown tilted. |  | | Sideways superlift opened out. |  | | The boom fully extended and the superlift arrangement tensioned up. |
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