 |
| Demag
branded box.
|
 |
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| Looks good on
the road. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Many detailed
graphics. |
 |
| Goes well
paired with suitable transport. |
 |
| Nice graphics
on the outrigger beams. Screw threads are visible
on the pistons. |
 |
| Tilting cab. |
|
|
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| Long main boom. |
 |
| Thin walled
boom sections. |
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| Decent fly jib. |
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| Rigging the
jib. |
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| Maximum fly
jib. |
|
The Demag AC 250-5 is a 250 tonne class all terrain
crane. It has a main boom length of 70m, and a
maximum system length of 102m.
Packaging
The model comes in a large
Demag-branded box. The model parts are wrapped in soft
paper and held within
expanded polystyrene trays.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
The
manual is very good. It describes all aspects of
the model, with clear instructions. A couple of
parts are not mentioned and there is no reeving diagram
for the hook, but these are minor omissions. Tools
are supplied to assemble and operate the model.
Detail
The chassis is highly detailed with the transmission
fully detailed and there are silver tanks. The
tyres are very good with a fine tread pattern and they
are mounted on nice wheels. Soft mud flaps
are fixed to the front and rear axles.
The driving cab has a chain for hitching the hook whilst
travelling, and the cab is nicely detailed throughout. Door
mirrors, windscreen wipers and beacon lights complete
the external detail.
Behind the driving cab the engine area is excellent with
high quality metal work, and other plastic parts.
One ladder is fixed to the deck and four others are
movable.
The outriggers are very good. The pads have a working
pinning mechanism which allows the pads to be fixed in
an offset way so they are within the footprint of the
crane when the outrigger beams are retracted. One
surprise is that the pistons have visible screw threads
when the pads are lowered rather than smooth faces. Tiny graphics add to the
realism. Large metal spreader plates with useable
lifting points are also included with the model.
At the rear of the carrier there is a towing hitch with
a removable pin, and the lights have plastic lenses.
A particular highlight is the large number of tiny
graphics all around the model.
The crane cab has rather large window wipers, and the
interior detail is good. Small graphics enhance the
detailing around the crane and there are very nice
textured surfaces and soft hoses for the hydraulics.
The counterweight tray has useable lifting points and
the counterweight slabs accurately comprise a full
configuration. Each slab is nicely formed with sharp
graphics, and the Demag name is in relief and painted.
The main boom ram is an excellent metal part with more
tiny graphics. Detailing on the boom includes a couple
of spooling drums and other highlighted elements. The
parts for connection of the fly jib during transport are
very detailed. The inner telescope sections have a
realistic profile with thin walls. At the boom head the
sheaves are metal, although they are not metal on the
real crane. A hoist cut-off chain is provided.
A lattice fly jib with swing away section is included.
It is metal and the lattice work is reasonably good
although some of the joins in parts are quite visible
from some angles.
A single three sheave hook block is included and it is
good. The model really needs a separate smaller
hook to complement the fly jib.
Features
The axles are linked in groups of the front three and rear pair,
and they can steer independently with reasonable
movement so the crane can also be posed with crab
steering if required. Not every steering mode of the
real crane can be reproduced. There is sprung
suspension on each axle.
Ladders on the carrier deck can be rotated and lowered
and this works really well.
The outriggers can be extended and lowered, and feature
an excellent pad pinning feature with robust pins. The
crane can be supported wheels-free, and the outrigger
beams remain reasonably straight.
The operator's cab can be tilted to a good angle, and
the side access platform can be extended and retracted.
The counterweight system can be fitted in various
configurations, including part being mounted on the
carrier deck during self-assembly.
Raising the boom is easy as the locking mechanism on the
main boom ram is by means of using a supplied key
tightening screws and
this works really well, although at maximum angle there
is little piston left in the jacket.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring
clip to lock each boom section. It has locking
positions at 50% and 100%.
A key is used to operate the main winch and it has a
positive brake system although the winch mechanism moves
about a bit in operation.
The fly jib can be attached and reeved in two lengths.
The system for altering the fly jib angle is excellent
and uses lockable rams.
Quality
This model is well made and very good quality.
The use of plastic for a few parts is appropriate and
done well.
The paint finish is very good, and the
many small graphics are
sharp.
Price
It is decent value for a mid-size mobile crane.
Overall
IMC Models has made a really good job of the Demag AC 250-5. It has a high level of detail combined with very good functionality. Perhaps the main plus point is the realistic appearance.
Footnotes
The model was announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2017.
There are two versions with the other being the AC
220-5, which has a longer main boom with an extra
telescopic section. |
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|
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| Parts out of
the box. |
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| Steering angles
are good. |
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| Large spooling
drum. |
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| More tiny
graphics. |
|
|
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| Convincing. |
 |
| Loading
counterweight. |
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| Excellent detail behind
the cab. |
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| A single line
hook would look better. |
 |
| Extra detail
added into the winch drum. |
|
