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| Potain box.
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| All the parts out
of the box. |
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| The climbing cage
and mast sections turn up on site on the back of some
Talbert
Trailers. |
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| Platforms and ladders
are assembled, and special slinging (using
chains and
hooks) is required for the lift. |
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| The slinging triangle
(at the top of the cage) is engaged and the cage can be
lowered and swung into position. |
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| Fixing the platform
that covers the gate. |
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| The climbing cage
in place. |
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| Lifting a mast
section. |
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The Potain MDT 178 Climbing Cage is
an accessory for TWH's Potain Tower Crane model (see
review here). The
purpose of the climbing cage is to allow the crane to increase
or decrease its height by adding or subtracting mast sections.
It does this by hydraulically jacking the crane. Climbing
tower cranes is a safe activity if carried out in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions, but it is also
a time when the safety of the crane is endangered if short
cuts are taken.
Packaging
The box is relatively small and the accessory is well packed
within a pair of expanded polystyrene trays, with the larger
platforms in the top of the lid. The review part had
no defects or missing items.
A small eight page assembly manual is included which gives
a clear parts list and pictorial steps showing how to assemble
and attach the climbing cage. Perhaps what is missing
is a simple explanation of what the climbing cage is and
how it works in reality, as this would be helpful to the
non-expert collector.
Detail
and Features
The climbing cage accessory follows in the footsteps of
the base model with an excellent level of detail.
The cage itself consists of finely cast lattice work which
includes the hydraulic ram. It has a single triangle
at the top which is used when the crane lifts the climbing
cage into place (see photos) although the manual for the
real crane shows two triangles. There is an opening
gate section to allow the cage to fit around the mast and
although this does not replicate the two interlocking gates
of the original it is a fair representation.
The external platforms and ladders are supplied detached
from the cage, and the handrails and mesh floors are all
to a fine gauge. For some reason the scale height
of the hand rails is too low and they do not look right
if a scale man is placed on the platforms. The hydraulic
pump unit is well detailed and includes hoses to the lift
cylinder.
Attaching the climbing cage to the crane is by means of
four screws and this gives a good, positive connection.
Also included with the accessory is a telescoping hook and
monorail trolley for lifting the mast sections and offering
them up at the climbing cage. Unfortunately missing
is the monorail beam itself so you cannot pose the crane
in the process of climbing. This was a deliberate
decision by the makers to prevent the model being risked
in an unsteady pose which is understandable, although no
doubt some collectors would prefer a more accurate model.
The climbing cage can be posed well as a truck load thanks
to the platforms and ladders being separate pieces.
The platforms are large U shaped pieces which would have
been better if they could have been split down further to
sit on a truck realistically. As can be seen from
the photos, convincing poses can be produced at the various
stages of assembling and attaching the climbing frame to
the crane.
The hydraulic cylinder can be extended and retracted manually
although it is not designed to hold the weight of the crane
during climbing and this should not be attempted.
The hook attachments allow the correct lifting arrangement
to be applied to mast sections.
Quality
and Price
The climbing cage quality matches that of the base model
and so it is a part which adds well to the crane.
It is almost entirely metal in manufacture. The price
is reasonable given the quality and the worthwhile addition
it makes to the model.
Overall
This is an interesting accessory which tower crane model
collectors will want to have. It adds well to the
base model and allows a variety of interesting poses to
be created. It is a shame the monorail beam is not
included as this would have allowed an accurate display
of the crane at the commencement of the climbing sequence.
Some collectors will probably make one for themselves inexpensively.
Notwithstanding this, the climbing cage is a highly recommended
addition to an excellent tower crane model.
Footnotes
The accessory was first seen in prototype form at the BAUMA
exhibition in 2007 and was released for sale in 2008.
It has been made in a variety of colours to suit the colours
of the crane model: Potain yellow, run of 500 models Manitowoc
red, run of 1000 models Orange, run of 500 models.
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| Inside the box.
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| The climbing cage
makes a good truck load. |
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| The cage gets lifted
off. |
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| Ready to lift.
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| With the gate open,
the cage can be offered up to the mast. |
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| The cage in place
and the gate can be closed. |
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| Attaching the hook
extension and monorail trolley. |
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| Posed with a mast
section on the hook. |
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