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Wolff 355B Tower Crane

Maker:  Ros
Model No:  80109
Scale:  1:87
Review Date:  November 2009


Ros Index
Tower Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)21
Features   (max 20)14
Quality   (max 25)18
Price   (max 15)12
Overall   (max 100)73%

Footnotes


The 355B impresses because of its size.
A large box.
Looking up.
Climbing frame and floodlights on the mast.
Base and capacity board.
Looks real!
Jib connections are riveted.
The 355B was introduced by Wolff in 2007.  It is a luffing jib crane which has a jib length of up to 60m, and it can lift 4 tonnes at the maximum radius, and up to 28 tonnes at the minimum radius.

Packaging

The model comes in a very large box and as with other Ros tower crane models it is largely assembled in the box.  Both the mast and the entire crane above the slewing ring are fully made up and just need to be joined together, which takes only a few minutes.  Also all the reeving is complete, so there is no fiddly work to do which is an advantage in this scale. 

A CD is included and this has simple assembly instructions although information and specification sheets about the real machine have not been included which is a pity.

There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.

Detail

At the bottom, the cruciform arrangement screws onto a black plastic base which provides additional stability.  Plastic access ladders run up through the mast, and there are access platforms within each mast section.  The mast appears to be made up of separate sections, but these are glued together so it is not easy to build the crane to any height other than the prefabricated one.  Large solid blocks provide ballast at the bottom of the mast and these are cast and painted to resemble concrete slabs.  A capacity board is fitted just above the base.  Four floodlights are provided and these can be fitted as desired.

A climbing frame is included and this is a large piece with the main structure in metal.  The access platforms are plastic and they appear a little too narrow on the model.  More surprisingly, the climbing frame has complete lattice work where the mast section should be able to be installed through the frame which seems an odd aspect of the model.  The hydraulic jack is not modelled and there is no connection point on the mast for the top of the climbing frame.

The jib is well made and fairly straight.  It is made up of six separate sections but unfortunately these are riveted together so it is a pity that alternative jib configurations cannot be easily built, although an experienced collector could drill out the rivets and replace them with pins to provide a more flexible model.  Small brass pulleys are used to run the hoist rope through the jib.  A narrow mesh walkway runs along the entire length.  Also provided is a plastic Wolff signboard and this clips into the jib latticework.

The pendants supporting the jib are made in three separate sections in plastic which again are riveted and could be separated, but the way it is made means that only one shortened configuration could be produced approximating to a 40m jib. 

A couple of jib restraints are modelled.  These are used when the jib is lowered to horizontal during erection and dismantling.  These have been modelled in plastic presumably to produce a realistic looking sag on these cables.  However they are too fat and would have been better produced in a thinner gauge and in black.

The structure of the machine deck is modelled well and the counterweights are convincing representations of concrete slabs.  A mesh floor extends across the deck, and handrails and ladders are modelled in plastic although they are a little 'fat' in this scale.  The cab is plastic, but the detail is reasonable with a windscreen wiper and operator's seat. 

The hook is metal and includes a tiny brass pulley.  A Wolff 'medal' is provided which can be used as a load for the crane.

Features

The crane can rotate fully and smoothly, and is stable throughout. 

The hook can be raised and lowered using the winch and there is enough thread to let the hook get to ground level which is better than on some other Ros models.  The crane can really only hold a light load such as the supplied medal.

The jib can be luffed using the winch and it has a full range of movement from horizontal to pretty well vertical at which point a jib luffing stop prevents the jib falling backwards.  The winch has enough friction to hold any pose.

Quality

The casting and paint work on the model are good, and the colour match of plastic parts is very good. 

Price

The model is reasonably priced overall for a large 1:87 scale model.

Overall

As with other tower crane models, the functionality is good although it is limited to really only being displayed in one configuration where more flexibility would have been better.  Some of the details could be improved but overall it looks very good and is easy to recommend.

Footnotes

The model appeared in September 2009.  The Wolffkran order form can be down loaded here.

 
Inside, the model is largely assembled.  A CD completes the package.
Detail at the end of the jib.  A mesh walkway extends the full length.  The lifting chain is not included with the model.
Counterweight is modelled well.
The jib restraints are in plastic so they hang realistically, but they would have been better thinner and black.
Wolffkran Medal.
The machinery deck.