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The box. |
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Travelling on
site. |
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Many small
graphics. |
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Sliding door
into very detailed cab.
|
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Excellent
hydraulics. |
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Set up. |
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Full boom.
|
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Bird's eye
view.
|
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What's a Walter
Wright doing on a Doolan's truck?! |
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Comment on this model.
The Grove RT540E is a rough terrain
mobile crane used in general construction.
The real machine can lift a maximum of 35 tonnes, and has
a boom length up to 31m. An extension jib
adds another 14m of reach.
This model is in the colours of
Walter Wright, which is part of the Australian
McAleese Group.
Packaging
This model comes in a Manitowoc style box, with the model
held between a pair of expanded polystyrene trays.
There were no defects or missing parts
on the review model.
Unlike previous versions of the model there are no
instructions or information about the real crane.
Detail
The crane is mounted on good quality tyres
with a realistic tread and these are mounted on detailed
hubs. The carrier is really well detailed with the
outrigger pistons looking like pistons instead of just
screw threads. The engine area is excellent with
superbly etched grilles looking particularly
convincing. Other details such as ladders, handrails
and other equipment are all authentically reproduced.
The high standard of detail continues on the crane body.
The cab has a very thin and flexible 'glass' and there
are windscreen wipers and mirrors, and
inside the cab the controls are replicated. It also
includes a fire extinguisher, textured floor and
numerous internal notices for the driver. On the
opposite side of the body there is a removable panel and
highly detailed hydraulics are revealed and there are
hoses running to the winch motors.
The boom is a four piece telescope and the
collars at the top of the intermediate boom sections are
plastic with a slight colour variation to the
metal parts. A metal hook block is provided and
this is already reeved in the factory, although it did
not hang correctly on the review model and was re-reeved.
A hoist cut-out chain adds detail.
Also supplied
is a lattice extension jib and this can be attached to the
boom top with pins. It also has a telescopic extending
section. Although it fixes well when the boom is
retracted, it does not hang properly if the boom is
extended without the fly jib, and it then tends to wave
around.
Another part included in the box is a second hook block
which is welcome as it allows the crane to be displayed
with a hook on the fly jib and one on the main boom.
However a single line hook would have
been more appropriate.
Features
Both axles steer independently and a decent lock can
be achieved. The rear axle pivots.
The outrigger beams extend and the pads can be lowered, and they can hold the full weight of the crane.
The cab features a sliding door, and there is an
additional opening flap on the engine. A removable clip-on panel reveals detailed
hydraulics. Underneath the carrier deck there
is an opening box which reveals the batteries inside.
The other functions of the model work well. The crane
rotates and the boom can be set at any angle. The
main boom cylinder is not very stiff and it can be
pinned at a steep angle. Two winches are modelled,
with one being very loose on the review model meaning
that some additional braking was required to stop the
hook unwinding.
A nice touch is that the boom features a working angle indicator.
The fly jib can be attached, and the telescopic
section can be extended.
Quality
This is a good quality model with little plastic used.
The paint and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is reasonable value for the quality offered.
Overall
This is a good model and it looks the part in the
colours of Walter Wright. The details are
interesting and it is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The first version of the model was made by TWH
Collectibles and appeared at dealers in August 2009.
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|
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The parts. |
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Reasonable
steering angle. |
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Detailed
chassis - with some big silver rivets. |
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Opening battery compartment underneath.
|
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Nice colour
scheme. |
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Tying on point
for the hook. |
|
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Full extension
jib. |
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Interesting
combination. |
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