 | | The box for this version of the Manitowoc 4100W. |  |  | | Two brochures - both very good. |  | | Dragline bucket. |  | | Very nicely formed fairlead. |  | | The clamshell closed. |  | | Using the clamshell to pick up very soft 'bales'. |  | | This version has an additional extension on the boom head. |  | | Excellent generator to power the magnet. |  | | The magnet version poses well with other models. Here it is with the Peterbilt 357 with East Dump Trailer. |
| This is the second version of the Manitowoc 4100W model produced by TWH to celebrate this historic crane from the Manitowoc Crane Company. The real crane was deployed in a number of ways and this model issue represents the dragline, clamshell and magnet versions.
This variant is built around the same base model as the crane version so to see further detailed photos read the review of that model here.
Packaging
The model comes in a stylised box showing the various configurations of the model. It consists of a top and bottom cardboard piece. Within the box is a single expanded polystyrene tray, with lid, which contains the pieces of the model, all well wrapped in polythene. The review model was undamaged.
An instruction booklet is provided with the model and it is very good indeed, showing clear assembly stages for the various configurations. As there are many parts in the box an inventory of pieces would have been useful. A Manitowoc branded screwdriver (complete with the appropriate aged logo) is supplied to assist the assembly. Around ninety minutes should be allowed to build a chosen configuration, with extra time to convert the model into a different variant.
Also provided is a reproduction of a 1972 marketing brochure which contains some great photos and information about the original machine.
Detail
The metal linked tracks are excellent and the track frames are very detailed. Particularly fine points are the spoked drive sprockets and the realistic working chain drives which move as the tracks are used. The undercarriage frame has attachable ballast boxes and these include patterned steps and tiny warning notices. The ballast boxes are different from the crane version of the model in that they include weights inside, so are already heavy.
The crane body impresses because of the fine paintwork and graphics. The cab is fully detailed inside with seat and control levers, and the details continue outside with patterned walkways, windscreen wiper and grab handles. The cab door has some exceptionally fine graphics applied.
Behind the cab is a metal ladder leading to the roof and behind that is a fine slatted grille. At the rear, the counterweight blocks are smoothly finished. Opposite the driver’s cab side is another sliding door and this reveals the engine compartment complete with various pipe work. At the front, the structure for supporting the boom pivot is very nicely reproduced.
There is a nicely modelled fairlead for the dragline, which is all in metal with metal pulleys.
The roof of the crane body has an exhaust with chrome muffler, and the gantry structure is very well detailed with step irons leading to a ladder which provides access to the top of the gantry. All pulleys are metal and the model engineering in this area is high quality. To make things easier for collectors, the jib luffing ropes are reeved in the factory. It is recommended that before the model is assembled that some plastic putty or similar material is pressed on to the pulleys to stop the string bouncing off whilst undoing the tape which has been used to hold the strings together during packing and transport. On this version of the model the luffing rope has not been knotted within the equaliser and this is a welcome minor improvement to the first version.
The boom sections are very good and represent the Boom No 22 of the original. The boom butt section has two metal cylinders which restrain the jib from over-luffing, and the casting overall of all boom sections is very good with the main chord members cast to replicate the inverted angled sections of the original. Main boom sections all have internal bracing which is an unusual detail in crane models. The screwed connections between sections are good and positive.
The boom top section is excellent, and is a superb representation of the 'open throat' design. At the tip there is an extra extension piece compared to the crane version which contains a couple of large pulleys. Metal pulleys and Manitowoc sign boards complete the boom top.
The main boom sections are also slightly different from the crane version. The 10ft boom section has a couple of reels to support the clamshell and magnet attachments as well as a line guide, and the 40ft boom section has a small pulley to support operation of the clamshell and magnet. Also this version of the model does not have the 4½° offset boom top of the crane version.
Pendants are string and have metal connections and a good job has been done to keep the lengths of pendants the same. The pendant connections between lines are riveted rather than screwed meaning that to display the model with a short jib means the rivets have to be drilled or cut out. Also on this version of the model the pendants associated with the 10ft boom section have been omitted.
A number of attachments are supplied. The dragline bucket is all in metal and is very well made with supporting chains and convincing detail in terms of perforations and bucket teeth. The tie-off points are good and produce good clean connections. To support the clamshell and magnet a metal hook block with a single free rolling sheave is provided. The hook has a working safety catch which is an excellent feature.
The clamshell is all metal and fairly heavy. It is also well made and is ready reeved with the operating string. The structure is very well replicated and the whole arrangement is held by two chains. Unfortunately the loops at the ends of the chains are just a little too small to sit on the hook properly.
The magnet is a realistic looking piece, with a working clamp for connecting the power line. Some replica cable is provided to connect the magnet to the reel on the boom, but this does not extend to the generator which gets placed behind the gantry. The generator is a fine model in its own regard with mesh platforms and mesh guards. The engine block is a fine casting and has excellent detail including a fan and pipe work.
Features
The track frames are screwed and detachable from the main undercarriage and can be refixed at a slightly narrower transport configuration, although this was not tried on the review model.
The counterweight is supplied as a number of pieces which push-fit together and fit to the crane body. With a little effort the crane can be posed in a realistic travelling configuration on a suitable low loader.
In addition to the sliding doors and opening chain case there is an opening hatch on the roof which allows a view into the engine compartment. Below the grille on the operator's side this version of the model has a small flap which opens to reveal the batteries.
The model functions all work well. Rotation of the crane is smooth. The luffing and winch drums are operated using keys which insert through holes in the bodywork and these work fine, not slipping under load. The dragline bucket pulls and empties well and the clamshell opening mechanism is very smooth, with all control being through use of the winches. The magnet is interesting in that it actually contains a real magnet so the model can be posed holding ferrous material.
Quality
This model is a quality product just like the previous version. The paintwork and decals are high quality and the manufacture and presentation of the model is in the same category. There is pretty much a complete absence of plastic. The added components on this version are all to the same quality standard of the base model.
Price
This model is very good value for the quality offered.
Overall
This version of the model builds on the capability of the crane version and the attachments give an interesting variety of display options. It is good to see that the opportunity has been taken to achieve some minor improvements over the previous version, and the instructions in particular are much improved. Overall this is a first class model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in April 2008. The run of the model is 1500. It is marketed outside the Americas by NZG as model number 691. Other variants of the 4100W model: crane, ringer and tower crane.
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|  | | The parts in the tray. |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | The model looks the part as a dragline. |  | | Clamshell version. |  | | The clamshell opened. |  | | The differences on the boom from the crane version. Two reels and a line guide on the 10ft boom section, and a small pulley on the 40ft section. |  | | Magnet version. |  | | The heavy magnet is.... a magnet! |
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