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Grove GMK6300L Mobile Crane

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  2114
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  June 2016


Conrad Index
Mobile Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)25
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)21
Price   (max 15)9
Overall   (max 100)80%

Footnotes


Grove GMK6300L Mobile Crane Video.   [Youku Video]
Grove branded box.
Steering is very good, but no place to hitch the hook.
Outrigger pads stow under the body.
Swingaway jib parked on the side of the boom.
Outriggers can support the crane wheels-free.
Loading the counterweight.
Lifting a tower crane section.
Very nice detailing behind the cab.
Lifting a column on the swingaway jib.
At full extension the model is 82 inches or 2.1 m tall.
Comment on this model.

The Grove GMK6300L is a popular mobile crane which first appeared at the Bauma exhibition in 2010.  Sales passed the 200 mark in 2014.

The crane has a maximum capacity of 300 tonnes.  It has an 80m main boom, and a total counterweight of 92.5 tonnes.

Packaging

The model comes in a Grove branded box sleeve which encloses expanded polystyrene trays.

The review model had no defects or missing parts.

There are some details about the real crane printed on the box sleeve.  There is an instruction sheet for the model which is entirely pictorial and it has a list of parts.  However the instructions are simplistic and do not show the fitment of all parts or suggest any reeving for the hook.

Detail

Out of the box this is a heavy model. 

Looking underneath,  there is some detailing of the carrier chassis with the drive transmission modelled in plastic.  The wheels are different on driven axles, but because of the properties of the yellow colour the use of plastic is readily identifiable.  The tyres are good.

The carrier cab looks very good.  It has door mirrors and the beacon and main driving lights are good.   There are windscreen wipers but not all of the mirrors are silvered which is an odd compromise.  The loop at the front for attaching the hook during transport is not useable.

Behind the driving cab the detailing of engine components is very good, including the exhaust system.    The carrier deck has good looking non-slip surfacing and non-removable ladders.  At the rear the lights are painted, but there are no number plates as this is a generic model.

The metal outriggers are two stage.  They are simple with chevron graphics applied. The outrigger pistons are smooth when extended, and the pads are plastic.

The crane cab has a windscreen wiper and lights, and the grab rails are metal.  Inside, the detail is good with a large control console and joysticks visible.  The crane body has metal hand rails and textured surfaces, and small graphics add detail.  At the back beacon lights sit on stalks.

The counterweight looks good.  The central ballast plates are well finished with graphics and have usable lifting lugs, whilst the large side weights cannot be posed being lifted as the lugs are not useable.

The large main boom ram has a plastic jacket but it has a good finish so it does not look plastic.  The seven section boom has detail on the lowest boom section including plastic cable drums.  There are metal pulleys in the boom head.

The bi-fold swingaway jib is a very nice metal casting with metal pulleys.  The plastic pins used for securing it do not have the best fit so they look a little unsightly.

The hook block has three pulleys and is nice enough, but a single line hook would have been a nice inclusion for use with the fly jib.  There are no obvious points for tying off the end of the hoist line.

Features

The axles steer in pairs so most of the steering modes of the real crane can be simulated, and the range of movement is very good.  There is working spring-loaded suspension on the axles. 

The outriggers are fully functional with extending beams and pistons that screw down without any visible screw threads.  Plastic pads clip on securely.  The outriggers are strong enough to support the entire crane off its wheels.

The crane cab tilts and can hold any pose.

The counterweight can be configured with the side weights added or left off.  However the attachment system for the counterweight to the crane requires all the central plates to be used, rather than allowing a partial counterweight.

The boom is raised using the very large ram which has a locking mechanism which is tightened using a supplied spanner.  It works well when fully tightened and it will hold the boom as desired as long as it is tightened enough. 

The telescopic sections extend smoothly and lock into place when full extension is reached. 

The winch drum can only be turned by finger on the drum, and the brake is by means of friction rather than a positive lock.

The model makes a good transport load with the counterweight on a ballast carrier.

At maximum boom extension the model is around 2.1m tall with the lattice jib attached.

Quality

As would be expected Conrad has produced a strong model which is both heavy and robust.  There is relatively little plastic.

The paintwork is good as are the small graphics.

Price

It is fully priced for a 6-axle crane model.

Overall

The Grove GMK5300L is a good choice for a model release, and as the real crane is popular and it opens the possibility the crane may be produced in some collectible crane company liveries.  It is a big and impressive model when the boom is fully extended.

Footnotes

The model was introduced at the Bauma Exhibition 2016.
 
Parts in the tray and instruction sheet.
On the road.
All wheels grounded properly.
Transmission details underneath.
Looks good with a ballast carrier for the counterweight.
The crane can rotate onto the ballast.
Tilting cab.
Good boom profile.
 
Counterweight fully loaded.