 | | ALE branded box. |  |  | | Power pack hooked on. |  | | Under the modules. |  | | Varying wheel hubs. |  | | Shifting a heavy load. |  | | Adjustable height on the axle lines. |  | | Furthest axle line set at maximum lift. |  | | Travelling to site on Nooteboom OSDS. |
| Scheuerle Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) are designed for transporting very heavy loads over short distances. SPMT units can be coupled together and have carried loads up to 15,000 tonnes.
Abnormal Load Engineering (ALE) is a worldwide specialist in heavy transportation and lifting and this model is the colours of ALE.
Packaging
It comes in an ALE branded box but there is no information about the real SPMT units or the ALE company. Inside the box the model is contained in three separate polystyrene trays, presumably to allow different combinations of modules to be sold.
There are no instructions supplied, but configuring the model is straightforward.
Detail
Both SPMT modules have the same detail with one 4-line and one 6-line module supplied. The rubber tyres are good with a fine tread pattern and they are mounted on metal hubs which are different on the driven and non-driven axles. Each pair of wheels is mounted on a metal support with a hydraulic cylinder.
The edges of the modules have interlocking points, and there are ALE graphics on the sides and ends. The surface of the modules is smooth with some contouring in the surface.
Metal blocks and connectors enable the modules to linked in various ways.
The power pack is a heavy part with tiny wheels underneath. There are various pipes detailed within the casting at the model connection end and there are silver painted details around the sides. The top surface has a very finely textured anti-slip surface and there are three lifting eyes which have very small holes for hooks.
Features
Each wheel set on the SPMT modules has a large range of vertical movement. This version of the model looks better than the first version as the modules sit reasonably low on the axles although perhaps still not quite low enough.
Each wheel set also steers independently with a good range of movement although certain axles were very stiff on the review model.
The power pack can be fitted to the either end of both modules, and the modules can be linked in series using a steel pin underneath and four connectors in the deck.
Both modules come with metal connector blocks to enable them to be connected in parallel.
Quality
These are solidly made parts with very little plastic and a good finish. The paint is applied well and the graphics are sharp.
Price
The model is reasonable value for money given it is a limited edition model.
Overall
This model first appeared many years ago and so it is not as highly detailed as more recent models. However it is made well and this version has good functionality. It is easy to recommend.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2004 as model 540. This version in ALE colours appeared in 2011 and was made in a limited run of 300 models. The modules were also produced in Mammoet, Felbermayr, Riga Baumann and Roll colours.
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|  | | Set up and ready. |  | | Parts out of the box. |  | | Good looking tyres. |  | | Underneath the power pack. |  | | Clips for connection in series. |  | | Parallel steering set. |  | | Connection blocks. |  | | Unusual parallel combination by the Cranes Etc team. They don't know how to steer it properly though. |  | | Stacked up the modules would be better if they could sit lower. |
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