 |
| Tadano
branded box.
|
 |
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| Decent
steering angle. |
|
|
 |
| On the road. |
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| Small graphics
add detail. |
 |
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Boom at approximately 50% extension. |
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| Fly jib
attached. |
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| Metal hook
blocks. |
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The Tadano GT-1200XL-2 Truck Crane is a
120 US tonne class
truck crane. It is designed for rapid road
transport between sites rather than as an all-terrain
machine, and is aimed at the North American market. It has a main boom length of 51m, and a
maximum system length of 69m.
Packaging
The model comes in a Tadano-branded box. The model
parts are held within expanded polystyrene trays which
are clipped together with plastic formers which is much
better than being taped.
The review model had no missing parts
or defects.
The build manual is excellent. It has a full parts list
together with a packing diagram showing their location
in the tray. Clear pictures explain the model, and
there is also some information about the real crane.
Good quality tools
are supplied to assemble and operate the model.
Detail
The chassis is very good with the transmission and
suspension fully detailed. The tyres have a
different tread pattern for the steered and driven axles. The
wheels are detailed.
At the front there is a hitching point for the hook
whilst travelling, and the cab has a beacon light, and
detailed cab door handles. There is no number plate as
this is a generic model.
Behind the driving cab the engine area appears to have a
holder for a single line hook block. Five ladders are modelled.
The deck surfaces are smooth.
The outrigger beams are two stage. The pistons have visible
screw threads when the pads are lowered rather than
smooth faces. Small metal spreader plates are also
included.
The crane cab has window wipers and metal grab
rails, and the
interior detail is very good, with the computer screen
having graphics.
Small graphics enhance the detailing across the model.
Lights at the rear are painted and there is a towing
hitch.
The counterweight is complex being made up of numerous pieces have chevron markings.
The winches have removable motors fitted in order to
access their operation.
The main boom ram is a metal part. Detailing on the
boom includes a spooling drum. Tiny rope guide
wheels are indicated but are non-functional.
The boom sections are thin-walled and with a black decoration. The
sheaves appear to be metal painted.
A metal fly jib can be carried on the side of the boom.
It is modelled with a fairly heavy lattice which appears
thick for the scale,
Three hook blocks are provided; three sheave, single
sheave and a two-part single line. They are good
quality metal parts.
Features
The front axles have non-linked steering with a good
range of notched movement. There is no suspension
on any axle.
Five ladders on the carrier deck can be rotated and lowered
and this works well.
The cab tilts to a realistic angle.
There
is an unusual central outrigger under the carrier cab
and it has very good extension. All outriggers can be extended and lowered, and the
crane can be supported wheels-free. The tolerances
between the beams mean that they are not quite straight when under load.
The counterweight is fully sectional, and can also be
posed on the carrier deck for self-ballasting.
Raising the boom is easy as the locking mechanism on the
main boom ram is by using a supplied key to tighten a
tiny grub screw.
Telescoping the boom is
fine and each boom
section can be locked at maximum and approximately 50% extension.
A key is used to operate the two winches
which have positive brakes.
The fly jib can be attached
for transport, and there is a folding jib support.
However, the jib cannot remain attached in a transport
position if the boom is raised, and this is a
disadvantage. It is folding but it has not been
modelled to use for lifting as an unfolded jib in an effective way.
A small single top can be fitted to the boom head.
Quality
This model is well made and very good quality.
The paint finish is very good, and the
many small graphics are
sharp.
Price
It is reasonable value for a four axle truck crane.
Overall
This is a nice model of a truck crane.
It has some good flexibility in terms of configurations,
although some aspects could have been modelled to allow
better detail or functionality.
Footnotes
The model was first announced at ConExpo 2023 and appeared in December 2023. |
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|
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| The tray and
manual. |
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| Clean lines. |
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| Underneath. |
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| No number
plates as it is a generic model. |
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|
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| Profile view. |
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| Detailed
counterweight. |
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| Fold down
ladders. |
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| Single top
attached. |
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