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| Terex branded box.
|
 |
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| On the road. |
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| One
counterweight is permanently attached. |
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| Rigged with the
hook. |
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| Cab decoration
is good. Metal pulleys in the boom head. |
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| Fly jib stows
on the side of the boom. |
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| Metal
outriggers. |
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| Lifting a load. |
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| The pads are
not supplied with the model. They are part number
NZG 7871. |
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| Brass pulley in
the top of the fly jib. |
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| Ready to lift. |
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| Fly jib on. |
|
The AC 200-1 is a nominal 200t capacity
five axle crane (also available in six axle configuration
in some countries) originally from the Demag stable, and
now a staple of the Terex brand. For photos
of the real machine click
here.
The model was first introduced in 2003 as
NZG 514. In 2008 an updated version was introduced
as NZG 730.
This further updated version was introduced in 2012 and
the review model is in the colours of
Merkel, a German crane hire company.
Packaging
The packaging for this model consists of a good quality
outer sleeve with a photo which shows the 6-axle variant
of the crane rather than the 5-axle version modelled.
Inside, there is a two piece polystyrene tray containing the model.
Inside, the model is carefully wrapped. No instructions
are provided but assembly of the few parts is straightforward.
There were no missing parts on the review model although
their was bad scratching of the paint of one of the
wheel arches. A replacement model was obtained.
NZG also provide a pair of cotton gloves with the model
to prevent finger marks.
Detail
The underneath of the carrier is purely functional with
no detailing, The wheels have good tyres and the metal
wheels are good with a different hub design on the front
axle. The driving cab has windscreen wipers, mirrors,
and the headlights are painted on. There are beacon
lights on the roof. The cab interior details are
simple, and there is a fine loop at the front of the
crane for attaching a hook during transport.
Location points are provided on the carrier body for loading
the counterweights during erection, and there are
textured surfaces on the top surface and sides.
The crane body detail is also good with wipers on the
cab and very good metal handrail and stepping details.
The cab windows are better on this new version of the
model with realistic window seals.
The counterweight consists of three pieces. One is
intended to be permanently attached, and the other two
make up the full counterweight but the larger piece is
not realistic and is combined from several parts on the
real crane.
The main boom is in seven sections. A folding fly jib
is provided and has well formed latticework. The pulleys
are metal and separate and this is the main change to
the previous version of the model. It is certainly an
improvement. The Merkel colour scheme is really smart
and the quality of the graphics is very sharp.
The metal hook block is very good and in keeping with
the size of the crane, however it is too large to be
realistic hanging from the fly jib.
Features
The front and rear pairs of axles steer. Each pair
is linked together and they steer well in tandem so most
of the steering modes of the real crane can be replicated.
The outriggers are very good. They each have two stage
metal outrigger beams which pull out and the metal pads
lower with a robust screw mechanism.
The crane cab can be tilted
a little.
The main counterweight is attached to the crane body by
a pair of screws. When attached the overall effect
is good, and the crane can rotate fully without a problem.
However if the counterweight is removed and rested on the
carrier using the locating lugs then the crane body cannot
rotate as it is fouled by the counterweight. This
appears to be scaling problem and in reality is of little
practical consequence because it does not prevent the crane
being posed in almost every possible way. When in
transport mode the model still has one counterweight plate
permanently attached. A skilled collector can
probably remove it by undoing the hidden screws.
The boom cylinder has been drilled with a hole so that
it can be pinned when erect to prevent boom sag.
Thoughtfully the hole is in the plane of the boom so it
is not visible for most practical purposes. The boom is
a seven section telescope and extends well, although
fully extended it needs to be carefully set up to avoid
sideways lean.
At the boom head the folding fly jib can be attached by
pins and this is straightforward to do. However
the jib has no intermediate pulleys so fully extended is
the only option. With the fly jib attached a big
model results and it stands nearly 1.7m tall.
The winch is operated using one of the tools NZG provide
for the purpose which works well. The hook rotates
from the block and this allows more flexibility in
posing lifts.
Quality
The paint finish is high quality as are the
graphics apart from the damage on the review model
mentioned earlier. It is a very heavy model reflecting the
high metal content.
Price
It is very good value for a five axle crane.
Overall
This model has been around for a long time and shows its
age a little in terms of details and features. The
revisions on this version are small but worthwhile, and
it looks very attractive in Merkel colours. It is a recommended crane model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2003
as model number 514,
and was revised as model
730.
This version of in the colours of
Merkel was a limited edition of 300 models. The
model in Terex colours is reviewed
here..
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|
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| It looks good.
|
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|
Profile view. |
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| Tool box at the
rear.
|
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| No detail
underneath. |
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| Smart wheels
and tyres. |
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| Merkel colour
scheme is very attractive. |
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| It poses well
with a
ballast carrier. |
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| The Cranes Etc
team arguing about the name of the German Chancellor. |
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| Outriggers are
strong enough to lift the model. |
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| Boom top
detail. |
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| Bend in the
boom is realistic if it was carrying a load. |
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| The hook is too
large for the fly jib really. |
|
