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Volvo FH4 + Goldhofer Ballast Carrier - Boekestijn

Maker:  WSI
Model No:  01-1702
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  March 2016


WSI Index
Ballast Trailer Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)23
Features   (max 20)16
Quality   (max 25)21
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)78%

Footnotes


Volvo FH4 + Goldhofer Ballast Carrier - Boekestijn Video  [Youku Video]
WSI box.
Small tower behind the cab.
Steering angle is limited.
Detailed trailer chassis.
Nice deck.
Front two axles clipped up.
Loaded, and with deck posts fitted.
Carrying big crane sections.
Great display model.
Comment on this model.

This is a model of a 6-axle Goldhofer ballast carrier and it is paired with a Volvo FH4 Globetrotter 6x4 tractor.

It is in the colours of Boekestijn, a Dutch crane and heavy haulage company founded in 1943.

Packaging

It comes in a standard WSI-branded box.

Inside, the model sits in an expanded polystyrene tray with a clear plastic lid and bottom. 

There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.

No instructions are included.  The only assembly required is to join the tractor and trailer together and to fit the optional deck posts.

Detail

The Volvo has a typical high quality 6x4 chassis, with the transmission and suspension nicely detailed.  The tyre tread patterns are different front and back.

The cab is marked Euro 6 540 and also has a fleet number and realistic number plate.  Detail inside the cab is reasonable and there is a Volvo branded engine underneath.  The Volvo Globetrotter cab is rendered well, and the Boekestijn graphics are sharp.

Behind the cab is a small tower with a spare wheel and coiled lines.  The anti-slip surfacing is nice and the rear lights have plastic lenses.

The trailer is very detailed although there are no legible Goldhofer markings.  It has a complex trailer structure underneath.  Each axle is a fully detailed unit with suspension and hydraulic features, and wheel arches.  The tyres and wheels are good, and the pair of landing legs have metal pads and smooth pistons.

The deck surface is excellent with plastic replica timber decking.   Along the sides of the deck there is a yellow warning stripe.  The rear light bar has plastic lenses.

A separate pack of metal deck posts are provided and these plug into holes in the deck edge.

Features

The Volvo has steering with a moderate amount of movement.  It has a fully tilting cab which opens up to a good angle.

The trailer has landing legs which can be screwed down with the pistons remaining smooth in appearance.

The trailer has excellent steering on axles 3 to 6 and they are linked together robustly, and exhibit very good proportional steering. 

Each axle has independent working suspension powered by small springs. 

Axles 1 and 2 can be raised and clipped out of service.

Deck posts can be fitted if desired, and they fit well.

Quality

The overall quality level of the model is high with very good detailing and careful use of plastic. 

The paintwork and graphics are very good.

Price

The model is good value.

Overall

This is a very well made model and the Goldhofer trailer functionality is very good and relatively robust.  For the purist, Boekestijn actually runs Nooteboom ballast trailers rather than Goldhofer, however if that is set aside this a good looking model that would pair well with a crane in the same colours.

Footnotes

This version of the model appeared in January 2016.

 
Impressive Volvo.
The truck without deck posts installed.
Detailed chassis.
Detailed Volvo engine.
Proportional steering.
No Goldhofer markings.
 
Impressive with crane parts.
Big load.