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Kato
branded
box. |
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Impressive. |
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Front three axles have linked
steering. |
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Big
counterweight sits on board. |
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Opening cab
door. |
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Before
attaching the counterweight. |
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Full main boom. |
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Carrier engine
detail. |
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Loading on the
cheek weights. |
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Cheek weights fitted. |
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Angle is adjustable. |
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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.
The model is in the colours of the Taiwanese company
Chi Deh.
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.
The review model had no missing parts or defects,
although the spreader plates included with the Kato
factory colour version were not included.
There is no information about the real crane. Tools are
provided with the model: a pointer and three keys. Assembly
of the parts is straightforward, but it would have been
good to have instructions and a parts list.
Out of the box the large 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.
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 chevron graphics, and
the pads are nicely shaped. When extended, the pistons
have visible screw threads.
The crane cab
is also well detailed and includes a mirror and grab
rails. At the back, the
counterweight lifting mechanism is modelled but
non-functional, and there
are fine mesh grilles. The winch drums are good
and this version of the model has the motors removed so
that the drums can be operated by key. 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
very well, and 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
but was sticky on the review model. 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.
This version of the model has a grub screw in the ram
which can be tightened to hold a pose. It is also telescopic and can be extended significantly.
The winches rely on friction and are operated by using
supplied keys.
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
This is a very attractive model in the colours
of Chi Deh. It is well detailed and has
interesting functionality. 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 August 2019.
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The parts in
the trays. |
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On the road. |
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Handrails on
the crane reflect a working position. |
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Detailed
chassis. |
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Chi Deh
decoration is great. |
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Very good
profile. |
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Opening cab door. |
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Angled fly jib. |
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Long telescopic fly jib. |
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