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MAN TGS LX + Palfinger PK100002 - Wiesbauer

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  71193
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  November 2011


Conrad Index
Truck Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)24
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)20
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)79%

Footnotes


MAN TGS LX + Palfinger PK100002 - Wiesbauer Video
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Conrad box.
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Stabilisers at the front.
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Palfinger is a heavy piece of kit.
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Giving a helping hand.
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Base of the Palfinger.
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Rear outrigger beams flex a bit.
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High reach.
Detachable load box.
This MAN truck has a Palfinger PK100002 loading crane which is a machine in the 100 tonne-metre class.

It is in the colours of Wiesbauer, a family owned German crane and heavy haulage company founded in 1958.  The truck is modelled after a real machine in their fleet.

Packaging

The model comes in a standard Conrad box, and it is wrapped in foam rubber.  The review model had no defects or missing parts.

There is no information provided about the real vehicle or instructions for the model.  The only assembly required is to fit the door mirrors, roof aerial and a couple of parts on the Palfinger.

Detail

The truck chassis is pretty good with the transmission and suspension modelled in plastic although the steering axles are modelled for functionality only.  The main structure is metal including the fuel tank and rear bumper.  The wheel hubs look particularly crisp and the tyres have a good tread pattern.  A special assembly is fixed in front of the cab and this has two stabilisers which are made of plastic.  As with the other stabilisers on the model the pistons are screw threads rather than smooth.

The MAN cab looks great because the Wiesbauer livery is striking and the detailing is very good with colour-coded door mirrors, and sharp looking graphics.  However it is surprising there is no number plate given that the model represents a real truck.  Under the cab an engine is present.

At the rear of the model there is a beacon light, towing hitch and wheel chocks, and the lights are painted but again there is no number plate.  There are rear outrigger beams and pads which are part plastic and part metal.  A removable metal box can be used to carry loads and it is very nicely decorated. 

The knuckle-boom portion of the crane looks realistic and has some good graphics and there are simple equipment boxes around the base.  The outrigger beams are plastic but the main cylinders are metal.  On the crane the bottom boom sections are metal and the eight telescopic sections are plastic. 

Each telescopic section has its own cylinder and piston although there are no hydraulic hoses modelled.  The crane can be rigged either with a fixed hook or a hook on a winch line.

Features

The two front axles have linked steering and they can achieve a limited amount of movement, and the rear axle can also steer.

The cab tilts forward and can just maintain a tilted pose.

The load box can be taken off and there is a fifth wheel to enable a trailer to be connected.  However the fifth wheel sits well forward and low, so it might be hard to find a suitable trailer.

To facilitate the operation of the Palfinger there are a number of outriggers.  At the front of the cab the twin pads can be lowered, and at the rear there are two stage plastic beams which have a long reach but could do with being more rigid.  Outriggers are also located on each side of the crane and these are two-stage and pull out from the transport position and rotate downwards.

The hydraulic lift cylinders are stiff enough to enable the boom to be posed in any position without slipping down.  Similarly the telescopic sections have some friction between them to hold set poses.  However although the extended boom can support its own weight it would not support much load without the telescopic sections slipping.  With the boom fully extended an impressive model results and it can reach to a height of over 50cm.

A fixed hook can be positioned at two points on the boom and there is also the option to use a working winch and this has enough friction to hold a load on the hook.

Quality

This is a robustly made model and only the plastic outrigger beams are a bit lightweight for the model.  The quality of the paintwork and graphics is excellent.

Price

The model is reasonable value.

Overall

The strength of this model is that it looks great with some nice detailing in the graphics, and the large Palfinger is impressive. It is certainly collectible in Wiesbauer colours and is highly recommended to anyone wanting to complete a collection in their livery.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2011 and became available in September 2011.  A version in the colours of Kibag appeared in April 2012.

 
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Steering shown at the maximum.
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Decoration is very good.
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Underneath the truck.
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Profile view.
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Lifting the truck.
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Impressive height can be obtained.
Tilting cab.