 |
| Kato
branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Looks
impressive. |
 |
|
Chassis is detailed. |
|
|
 |
| Nice grilles
and graphics at the back. |
 |
| Outriggers can
be posed to look good, but they bend at the junctions
under load. |
 |
| Detail behind
the cab. |
 |
| Attaching the
cheek weights. |
 |
| Tilting cab. |
 |
| Ready to fix
the counterweight. |
 |
|
Sliding door with sliding access platform underneath. |
 |
|
Safety posts raised. |
|
The
Kato KA-1300R is a five axle all terrain crane with a
capacity of 130
tonnes. The Kato website does not list a
1300R machine, but it does list a 1300RX.
Packaging
The model comes in a
good Kato 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 a ribbon to prevent the boom moving.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
There is no information about the real crane. Two tools are
provided with the model: a pointer and a key. Assembly
of the parts is straightforward, but it would have been
good to have instructions and a parts list.
Out of the box the hook block was not reeved correctly,
and it is fiddly to correct it.
Detail
The truck chassis has
very good detail underneath with the transmission and
various parts modelled in metal.
The metal wheels look good, with different hubs on the non
driven axle.
The carrier cab is finely detailed with metal mirror
assemblies. The interior detail is good also.
A chain is provided at the front for tying on the hooks during
transport.
Behind the cab the detailing of the engine area is
really good with some nice fine mesh grilles.
The carrier deck has fixed ladders on each side.
The outrigger beams are metal with
marker graphics applied, and
the pads are nicely shaped. When extended, the pistons
have visible screw threads. Plastic spreader
plates are provided.
The crane cab
is also well detailed and includes a mirror and grab
rails. At the back, the
counterweight lifting mechanism is modelled, and there
are fine mesh grilles. The winch drums are good
and the ropes have a realistic appearance.
Handrails are provided to be attached, and they reflect
the crane in use rather than folded for transport.
The counterweight is made up of nicely shaped blocks
with useable lifting eyes on the cheek weights.
The boom has impressive detailing and sharp graphics, and the
boom rams have metal jackets. The pulley blocks at
the end (and in the large hook) are single pieces rather
than separate sheaves. A single sheave is used
elsewhere and it would have been better if these had
been used everywhere.
The fly jib is
unusual as it is telescopic. The detailing is very
good and the luffing ram has a metal jacket.
Two hook blocks are supplied.
One is a single line block and the other has three
sheaves. There is no tying off point provided for
the multi line hook.
Features
The model rolls well, although not all wheels were
perfectly grounded. All axles steer, with the front
three linked together so not all modes of the real crane
can be replicated. The steering angle is moderate.
The carrier cab doors open, and spring shut nicely.
The outriggers extend and the pads can be
screwed down. Although the crane can just
about be supported wheels-free, there is a lot of
vertical play between the sections so they look bent.
It is better to pose the model without much load on the
outriggers.
The crane cab door slides open very nicely, and it has a
pull-out walkway underneath, and there is one on the
opposite side too.
The counterweight block can be
posed on the carrier deck, and the cheek weights are
removable.
The boom raises easily as there is no friction in the
boom rams. A pose is held by tightening grub screws in
the ram jackets and this works well. The boom cannot
achieve as steep an angle as the real crane. The
telescopic sections lock at full
extension.
A small rooster jib for the single line hook can be
positioned or rotated to the side.
The lower boom section has liftable safety posts for use
when the crane is being rigged.
The fly jib can be attached
and can be set at offset angles using the hydraulic ram.
It is also telescopic and can be extended significantly.
The winches rely on friction and are operated by using a
finger on the serrated drum edges.
Quality
This model has a high metal content with little plastic
used. The quality level is very good overall.
The paintwork and graphics are
also very good.
Price
It is a good value crane model based on the
price charged from China.
Overall
It is good to see another Kato crane model, and
it is overall of high quality. One or two aspects
could be improved and a rigid outrigger system would
improve the ability to pose the model more realistically when the crane is
in use.
Footnotes
The model became available in September 2018.
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|
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|
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| The parts in
the trays. |
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| Telescopic fly
jib fixed. |
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| Handrails on
the crane reflect a working position. |
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| Rooster jib in
use. |
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| Nice metal
wheels. |
|
|
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| Very good
profile. |
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|
Opening door. |
 |
|
Angled fly jib. |
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|
Telescopic fly jib. |
|
