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Grove RT540E Mobile Crane - Walter Wright

Maker:  Drake Collectibles
Model No:  z01139
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  December 2014


Drake Index
Mobile Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)25
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)19
Price   (max 15)10
Overall   (max 100)78%

Footnotes


Grove RT540E Mobile Crane - Walter Wright Video [Youku Video]
The box.
Travelling on site.
Many small graphics.
Sliding door into very detailed cab.
Excellent hydraulics.
Set up.
Full boom.
Bird's eye view.
What's a Walter Wright doing on a Doolan's truck?!
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. 

 
The parts.
Reasonable steering angle.
Detailed chassis - with some big silver rivets.
Opening battery compartment underneath.
Nice colour scheme.
Tying on point for the hook.
 
Full extension jib.
Interesting combination.