 |
| The Tadano
branded box.
|
 |
 |
| Kibag livery
looks good. |
 |
| No number
plates. |
 |
| On the road. |
 |
| Detailed
outriggers. |
 |
| Very detailed
cab. |
 |
| Opening panel. |
 |
| Pulleys at the
boom head are a solid piece.
|
 |
| At maximum main
boom extension. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Tadano ATF-70G features a 70 tonne capacity Tadano
crane mounted on a Faun 4-axle chassis. The maximum
hook height is 61m and the counterweight is 15 tonnes.
It is in the colours of
Kibag, a Swiss group founded in 1926, and it owns a
number of quarries and concrete plants as well as
carrying out civil engineering works.
The model has been commissioned by
Heavy Transport
Models and is made by WSI.
Packaging
The model comes in a Tadano branded box containing a
couple of expanded polystyrene trays.
There were no
defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information on the real machine included,
and this version of the model does not include a manual,
which is a pity.
Detail
The carrier chassis is very detailed with the suspension and transmission
modelled, and various tanks are present.
The wheels have hard rubber road tyres on detailed
hubs, with the first undriven axle having slightly
different hubs.
The carrier cab has nice lights and some detailed
graphics.
A small loop at the front allows the hook to be attached during transport.
Underneath a fixed ladder is modelled. Behind the cab there
are some fine quality mesh panels and non-slip surfaces
extend to the rear. At the back the lights have
plastic lenses, but there is no number plate which is
odd for a real livery.
The outriggers have detailed metal beams and
smooth-faced pistons on
each leg. There are
adjustable pads with transport locks, and a set of
plastic spreader plates is
also included.
The crane cab has metal grab rails and windscreen
wipers. Inside the detailing is very good with a
computer console and joysticks modelled, and there is an
absolutely tiny graphic of 'Tadano' on the seat headrest.
Detail on the crane body includes metal handrails
(which are permanently folded into a transport position), hydraulic
cables and tiny graphics, and nicely model components.
A very detailed engine is revealed under the opening
engine covers. The counterweight is made up of four
plates.
A particularly nice aspect is the main boom hydraulic
ram which is all metal.
The five stage telescopic boom is metal and the bottom section
has a metal spool, a pair of lights and holders for the
boom extension, one of which is articulated. At the boom
head the silver pulley block appears to be a solid
piece.
The boom extension is metal and is cast well, and it has
a pop out guide pulley. There is a hydraulic cylinder
which controls the angle of this boom.
The hook is metal and has two pulleys. It comes ready
reeved with four
falls.
The hook is less useful on the extension boom however where
either a single line hook or a hook block with an odd number
of pulleys would have been better. A safety cut-out
chain hangs from the boom top and it and the hoist rope
connector are pinned so they can be transferred to the extension
boom, although they do not fit well into the holes on it.
A metal ingot bearing the name 'Tadano' is
supplied as a display load.
Features
All axles steer to a degree with the driven axles having
a 'notched' feel. They are independent so all
modes of steering can be reproduced. Each axle
also has sprung suspension.
The outrigger beams extend out, and the pads can be lowered
and will support the crane 'wheels-free'. The design of
the pads is such that they can be locked into a
transport position.
The crane body has two opening panels to provide access
to the crane engine. The counterweight is detachable
and can be either stowed on the carrier deck or attached
to the crane. It can also be attached in a reduced
configuration.
The crane cab does not tilt because on Tadano cranes the
cockpit tilts within the cab.
The crane functions work well with the hoist operated by
a supplied key. The boom sections lock into place
when extended, and as the extension boom is pinned to the
main boom side it does not fall off when the boom is raised.
The boom ram is locked with a small allen key turning a
grub screw and it works very well.
The extension boom can be attached and also has a fold out
section so two lengths can be chosen. The angle of
the boom is controlled by a cylinder which was stiff
enough on the review model to hold a pose.
Quality
This is a high quality model with plastic used
appropriately.
The paint and graphics are very good,
and the Kibag livery is attractively rendered.
Price
It is good value for the quality and detail offered.
Overall
This Kibag model goes very well with other Kibag models.
The metal boom ram is very good and it is only a pity
the instruction manual provided with the crane in Tadano
colours was not included.
Footnotes
The model
appeared in September 2014.
|
|
 |
| The model parts
and manual. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Very good
chassis detail. |
 |
| Goes well with
other Kibag models. |
 |
| Nice mesh
panels on the carrier.
|
 |
| Opening cover.
|
 |
| It can hold a
relatively heavy load. |
 |
| The extension
boom set at an angle. |
|
|
 |
| Good
counterweight. |
|
