|
XCMG
branded
box. |
|
|
Moderate
steering angle. |
|
Detailed console inside the cab. |
|
|
Carrier deck
has textured surfaces. |
|
Heavy boom
holds a pose well. |
|
Engineering of
the boom is very good. |
|
Impressive
height. |
|
The XCMG
HB56K-7X is a concrete pump mounted on a Mercedes-Benz
Actros chassis. It has a theoretical output of
120m³ per hour, and the boom can reach up 56m.
Packaging
The model comes in a very good quality shrink-wrapped XCMG branded box and inside
it, the model is contained within a pair of expanded
polystyrene trays. The model is covered with soft paper
and tied with ribbons to prevent the boom moving during
shipping.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
Two tools are provided with the model: a pointer and a
key, and there is a simple instruction sheet which is in
Chinese. There is no information about the real truck.
Detail
The truck chassis is based on a Mercedes-Benz Actros and
the model is reasonably detailed underneath,
with a number of parts modelled in plastic.
The wheels have an unusual design, and the simple tyres are the same on
all axles.
The cab looks unlike a European Actros truck and may be
a loose interpretation, and it is fairly simply detailed with a grille, lights, and
plastic mirrors, and the Mercedes-Benz logo. The
interior detail is fine, with a detailed console.
There is no number plate as this is a generic model.
The outrigger beams are metal, and the large rear pair
are nicely decorated with graphics, and includes the
rear lights.
The carrier deck has texturing, and the pump piston
tubes are modelled. At the rear the hopper is
modelled with a large grille and various components are
detailed under it. Plastic steps rise up to the
deck on one side.
The boom is very heavy and made up of five main sections,
with the top two split so there are seven sections in
all.
The slewing ring is nicely modelled, and a single hydraulic ram controls
the first boom section. All the rams have plastic
jackets. The pipework is modelled well, and a plastic
length of discharge hose is fixed to the end.
Features
The model is very heavy so that helps it to roll well. The
linked front two axles have a fairly shallow steering
angle.
The cab doors open and shut.
The front two-stage outriggers extend, and the rear
beams rotate outwards. The pads can be
screwed down but the pistons are screw threads rather
than smooth.
The first boom section raises easily and it can be locked at any
angle by tightening grub screws in the ram jacket. The
piston can also be pinned at various extensions which
gives more security given the heavy loading. All the
other boom sections are controlled by rams which rely on
friction to hold a pose. Despite the very heavy
boom, this works well.
The boom rotates smoothly.
The hopper lid can be opened and closed
Quality
It has a high metal content with some plastic
used, mainly on the chassis. The quality level is
mostly very good.
The paintwork and graphics are also very good.
Price
It is good value for such a large and heavy
model.
Overall
Although the scale of 1:35 is uncommon, many
construction models are produced in this size for
Chinese OEMs. This concrete pump is impressive with very
good engineering of the placing boom in particular.
Footnotes
|
|
|
|
|
Actros cab is
somewhat simple. |
|
On the road. |
|
Detailed
chassis with simple tyres. |
|
Size comparison
with a 1:50 size concrete pump. |
|
Detailed
hopper. |
|
|
Looks good with
a matching XCMG 1:35 concrete
truck mixer. |
|