 |
| The Tadano
branded box.
|
 |
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| Impressive road
pose. |
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| Rear view
showing the extension boom stowed. |
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| Colour scheme
is attractive. |
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| Small graphics
on the body. |
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| Excellent mesh
grilles. |
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| Opening panels. |
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| Full
counterweight attached.
|
 |
| Extension boom
fitted.
|
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| Extension boom
fitted straight. |
|
 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.
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,
but there is a very good instruction manual which
clearly lists all the parts and describes the
functionality of the model.
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 as this is
a generic model.
The outriggers have detailed metal beams and pistons on
each leg which do not show a screw thread. 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 and the colour match
is slightly off to the rest of the model.
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.
Price
It is good value for the quality and detail offered.
Overall
This model takes some of the crane elements of the
Tadano Faun HK70 model
and improves them. In particular the metal boom
cylinder is a nice touch and overall the model is
outstanding.
Footnotes
The model was first shown
at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February 2013.
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|
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| The model parts
and manual. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Very good
chassis detail. |
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| Hook attaches
at the front. |
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| Detailed
outrigger.
|
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| Detailed cab
interior.
|
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| Realistic boom
profile. |
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| The extension
boom set at an angle. |
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| Lifting a beam. |
|
