 | | Sarens box. |  |  | | Layer 2. |  | | Boom section and weights on the road. |  | | Standing on its translifters. |  | | Simple track frames. |  | | Very detailed counterweight. |  | | Metal steps. |  | | Tiny graphics on the cab. |  | | Equalisers at work. |  | | Very detailed boom head. |  | | Full main boom configuration. |  | | Full configuration is over 180cm tall. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Kobelco CKE2500G is a 250 tonne hydraulic crawler crane.
This model is in the colours of Sarens, the Belgian lifting specialist.
Packaging
The model comes in an outer shipping carton. The model box is good quality, with Sarens branding. Inside there are three layers of trays containing the many parts of the model, although as the trays were not factory sealed some were slipping out.
The review model had no defects, although the assembly manual was supplied separately.
The Kobelco Manual sets a very high standard with detailed step-by-step photographs and written instructions in English and Japanese. A nice touch is that nearly all of the smaller parts are supplied in their own labelled bags for easy identification. The only thing missing is some information about the real machine.
Assembly is straightforward and a number of hours are needed for the full configuration. The only issue encountered was that some of the connections were difficult because of paint thicknesses.
Detail
The metal crawler tracks are good and are mounted on simple frames without working rollers. The translifters are nicely detailed and the pads are metal, with visible screw threads. The crawler steps are metal with some of the detail obscured with thick paint. The carbody weight trays are detailed.
The cab is very detailed and includes mirrors and a protection guard. As on much of the model there are tiny graphics which really add to an authentic look. The body casting is detailed and there are many small parts used to provide detail. The metal handrails are good although not all were straight out of the box, and a couple were loose fitting in their holes.
The counterweight assembly is very good. Each block is secured to its neighbours with joining pieces and nuts and bolts, so there is no danger of dislodging the blocks.
The boom and jib sections are metal and they are detailed very well including mesh walkways and tiny graphics. They are straight with some lattice members having the odd bend. The sections are secured together with black nuts and bolts which look better than brass. The sections have internal bracing, and the main boom top is particularly complex in this regard. The pulleys are silvered metal.
A good looking aspect of the model is the pendants, and those supporting the main boom are connected to equalisers which resolve any mismatches in length. Elsewhere slight differences in length are apparent, and the pendant connections are not particularly robust and should not be subject to high loads. A good point is that some spares are included.
The luffing jib struts are metal and detailed, but were not perfectly straight on the review model, although this was barely noticeable from most viewing angles.
Three hooks are supplied; a single line hook, a 35 tonne block with one pulley, and a 70 tonne block with three pulleys. Two Sarens-branded weights are supplied, and these are needed with the bigger hook block.
Features
The crawler tracks roll reasonably well, and are tensioned by spring-loaded idlers. The separate crawler assemblies can be used as transport loads.
The translifters can be folded out and pinned in a working or transport position. The pads can be screwed down and will support the model.
The crane rotates smoothly.
The main boom luffing winch is accessed through a removable panel. It relies on friction as a brake so it would not hold a big boom at a steep angle. It consists of two separate drums so they do not always have equal tension. The thread on the drums is limited, so it is not possible to fully lower the mast in a forward position.
The luffing jib assembly works well enough but a lack of thread on the drum restricts how much the jib can be lowered. Also friction in the system means that the jib requires manual assistance to lower from a steep position.
The cab can be posed in either the fixed or tilting configuration of the real crane. The angle of tilt is fairly shallow.
All combinations of boom and jib can be configured so the model is very flexible in this regard. A very big model can be assembled (182 cm / 6ft tall) but it is not stable if the boom is set at any significant angle.
Quality
This is generally a good quality model which is highly detailed, and care needs to be taken to handle it carefully.
The paint finish is very good, and the graphics are sharp.
Price
The price is reasonable for a large complex model in the limited edition Sarens colours.
Overall
The key plus point of this model is the high standard of detailing achieved, with many small parts and tiny graphics used. Whilst the quality of manufacture is not always top quality, any issues were minor on the review model. Overall this is an impressive looking crane model.
Footnotes
This model in Sarens colours first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2015. |
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|  | | Layer 1. |  | | Layer 3. |  | | Crane on the road. The back struts on the boom base have to be unpinned to get them to fold low. |  | | Waiting for the boom. | |
|  | | Short boom configuration. |  | | Plenty of metal handrails. |  | | High detail. |  | | 70t hook block lifting a plate. |  | | Luffing jib arrangement. |  | | Twin hooks at work. |
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