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| Large box. |
 |
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| Bottom layer.
|
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| Middle layer. |
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| Posed during assembly,
rigged with just the back mast. Counterweight slid in. |
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| Erection of the boom. |
|
|
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| VPC-Max system works
well on the model. |
 |
| Energy chain under the
walkway looks good. |
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| Very impressive large
model. |
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| Looks great with a
precast bridge
section.
|
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| Full configuration.
Lifting a beam. |
|
The Manitowoc
MLC300 Crawler Crane made its debut at the ConExpo
Exhibition in 2014. It has a maximum capacity of 300 tonnes, and its main feature is a Variable Position
Counterweight (VPC). This allows the crane to be
operated with maximum versatility and flexibility.
Packaging
The
model comes packed in a large shipping carton. Inside there is an inner Manitowoc
branded box which contains three separate expanded polystyrene trays holding the
many parts of the model.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review
model.
There is no information about the real crane, but a
comprehensive assembly guide for the model is
included. It is high quality and starts with annotated
parts lists for each tray. Assembly is then guided
through 36 steps. There are no reeving diagrams for the hook blocks,
and there are some minor errors and omissions, but
nothing that presents a problem for assembly. Only the largest configuration of the crane is covered,
and many other configurations are possible.
The assembly of the model is straightforward, and tools are
provided to aid the task. A number of hours is
required to fully erect and reeve the model.
Detail
The track frames and undercarriage are assembled as one
piece, but the track frames are screwed to the car body
so appear removable. The tracks are metal, and
excellent, and the frames are detailed and include fold
out lugs and access steps. Rollers are not modelled and
the tracks are fairly loosely hung.
The operator's cab is fully detailed with windscreen wipers,
grab handles and an unsilvered door mirror. It has a
detailed interior and at the rear of the cab various signs
are replicated with tiny writing.
The handrails and platforms around the model are metal
and very good, although some were very loose fitting on
the review model.
At the front of the crane body two slewing motors are modelled. Four hydraulic jacks which would be used
for self-unloading are modelled, and the pistons have visible
screw threads.
The VPC-Max counterweight arrangement is very good with
nicely modelled energy chains. The counterweight boxes are
separate metal parts with lifting lugs and graphics
giving the weight, 10 tons.
The engine cover is plastic and the winches within the
body look good, and there is also some detailing
underneath the rotating bed. The winch drums have
holes in the body for access by the winding key. On
the review model the main winch drums had the rope
spooling off the front instead of the rear. The live mast has a
non-functioning erection cylinder and the sheaves at the
end are metal in common with the rest of the model.
The live mast is fully reeved out of the box which saves
one task during assembly.
The lattice boom, back mast and jib sections of the
crane are nice castings with excellent geometry. They
are nearly all metal and include useable lifting eyes,
mesh walkways and ladders as appropriate. At the jib
head the whip line jib has working rollers. It appears
there is an error in the instructions with the
intermediate sections of the back mast in reversed
position, however this is easily altered.
The connections are made with tiny black nuts and bolts, and the straps are
very thin metal and easily bent if not handled with care.
The boom and jib head have plastic 'Manitowoc' sign boards.
Most of the reeving is straightforward, but the luffing
gear for the jib is frustrating as the sheaves are loose
on their axles and move apart with space between them.
Three hooks are supplied. The main block is large piece with a swivelling
double hook although it cannot fold in to allow the block
to rest on the ground upright.
The second hook is a smaller block and the whip
line is a single metal piece with rotating hook.
Features
The crawler tracks roll very easily
and are tensioned by spring-loaded idlers in the track frames.
The four jacks have pads which can be screwed down for
self-assembly modes.
The cab tilts but would not hold a pose on the review model.
The crane rotates smoothly as long as it is screwed
properly during assembly.
The Variable Position Counterweight works well, and
it is as much as a major plus on the model as it is on
the real crane, as it is possible to position the
counterweight to keep the model in reasonable balance
whether it has a load or not.
To operate the model a key is provided for the winches. When the
key is pushed in, the drum presses against a spring and
away from a brake surface such that it turns freely when
the tool is turned.
The winches work well. However if the boom or jib
are at a steep angle there is not enough weight on the
luffing ropes and so lowering has to be assisted by
easing down by hand.
The manual guides the assembly of the full model but
many other configurations are possible, just like the
real crane. This includes using parts as transport
loads.
The model looks particularly impressive with a suitable
load.
Quality
This is a high quality model with nicely made parts which fit
together very well.
The paintwork and graphics are equally high quality throughout.
Price
It is good value for the quality offered.
Overall
This is another excellent Manitowoc model from Towsleys. It has
great detailing, and very good functionality. A big
plus point is the flexibility of the model with the use
of bolted connections throughout allowing
variety of display.
Footnotes
The
model was marketed under the Towsleys brand name and was
engineered by Weiss Brothers. It was released in
September 2017 after having been announced at Bauma 2016.
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|
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|
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| Top tray. |
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| Parts
make very good transport loads. |
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| The manual.
|
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| Interesting mini
diorama with other models. |
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| Impressive with main
boom and back mast. |
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| Detailed graphics on
the cab.
|
|
|
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| Counterweight slid out
for heavy lifting. |
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| Nice track frames.
|
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| Complex lattice work. |
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