 | | The box. |  |  | | Very smart paint job on the Scania R580. |  | | Tilting cab. A photo of a Kavanagh depot is printed on the back. |  | | Underside of the tractor with the steering shown as far as it will go |  | | Underside of the trailer. |  | | The spare wheel goes in its own holder. |  | | Excellent steering on the trailer. |  | | The ballast carrier paired up with a Terex AC100/4 in Kavanagh colours. |
| Kavanagh Cranes is the largest crane hirer in Ireland and operates a fleet including city cranes, self erecting towers, and all terrain cranes up to 400t capacity.
This is a model of a 6-axle ballast carrier designated the OVB-102-06. In this nomenclature the 102 represents the total capacity of the trailer in tonnes and the 06 means that there are six rear axles. It is typically used for carrying the counterweight of large telescopic mobile cranes.
Packaging
The model comes in standard WSI packaging. Inside, the model is contained within an expanded polystyrene tray with the model held in place with a clear plastic former. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
No instructions are included, but there is a printed Certificate of Origin which has a unique number for the model in the production run.
Detail
The tractor unit is a Scania Topline 8x4 unit and it looks impressive. Underneath, the detail is very good with transmission and suspension features reproduced well. The tyres are good too with a differing tread pattern on the front and rear wheels, and they are mounted on detailed hubs.
There are excellent lights on the cab including a light bar with spotlights and beacon lights. An Irish number plate is on the front and rear, and there are door mirrors and wipers. Inside the cab, the detail level is reasonable. The standard of the graphics on the cab is very high, and behind the cab there is an impressive printed photo of a Kavanagh depot. There are simulated air lines but they lack suitable connectors to fix to the trailer. An excellent diamond plated walkway leads to the fifth wheel area. At the back there are large plastic mud flaps and the rear light clusters have nice plastic lenses.
The trailer is highly detailed in common with other Nooteboom models. It has an excellent surface on the flat bed with timber decking which although reproduced in plastic looks very convincing. The main metal structure has diamond plating at the front end. Along the sides of the deck various tying points are present and at the rear the light bar has authentic looking detail. A set of manual controls for the trailer are represented forward of the first axle, and the cables run to this panel. On the opposite side is a spare wheel holder. A separate pack of metal posts are provided with the model and these plug into holes in the deck edge. The fit is not tight however so they are easily displaced and knocked out.
Underneath, the structure is excellently represented and hosing extends from the front to each axle assembly. Each axle is a fully detailed unit with suspension and hydraulic features. The pair of hydraulic landing legs have metal pads. Tyres and hubs are good, and each axle has mud guards.
Features
The tractor unit has steering front axles with both linked together. However the steering has a limited range of movement. It also has a fully tilting cab which opens up to a good angle revealing the detailed engine block. The fifth wheel has a range of longitudinal movement.
The trailer has an opening holder for the spare wheel and the wheel itself is removable. The hydraulic landing legs can be screwed down and the design of this feature is such that the screw thread does not become visible and this is realistic as it looks like a hydraulic cylinder.
In terms of functionality the trailer axles are very good. Counted from the front, axles 1 and 3 to 6 steer with the rear four linked together. Overall these give an excellent representation of the proportional nature of the steering with axle 6 steering the most. Each axle has independent working suspension powered by small springs and this allows very good ability to pose the axles on rough terrain. As an additional feature, axle 1 can be raised and clipped out of service.
Quality
The overall quality level of the model is high. The castings are very good as is the detail level. Plastic is used sparingly and appropriately, and without impairing the look of the model.
Paintwork and graphics are of a very high standard and make this a stand out model.
Price
The model is a little more expensive than standard versions of the model but the limited numbers means it is collectible.
Overall
This model looks really good in the Kavanagh livery, and the usual WSI focus on detail means that it is a faithful representation of the real truck.
It is a good advertisement for Kavanagh and makes either a good corporate gift, or a model for collectors familiar with the company Overall the model is highly recommended.
Footnotes
This model was produced by WSI for Premium Collectable Models in a run of 300 models. It was sold through the Kavanagh Crane Hire website.
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|  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Nice chrome exhaust stacks. |  | | An impressive 8x4 tractor. |  | | Landing legs look like realistic pistons. |  | | Highly detailed axles. |  | | Ready for business. |  | | Loaded with spreader plates and a large hook. |
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