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Kato KA-1300R Mobile Crane - Chi Deh

Maker:  Yagao Gift
Model No:  -
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  August 2019


Yagao Index
Mobile Crane Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 7
Detail   (max 30) 26
Features   (max 20) 15
Quality   (max 25) 20
Price   (max 15) 12
Overall   (max 100) 80%

Footnotes


Kato KA-1300R Mobile Crane Video.  [Youku Video]
Kato branded box.
Impressive.
Front three axles have linked steering.
 
Big counterweight sits on board.
Opening cab door.
Before attaching the counterweight.
Full main boom.
Carrier engine detail.
Loading on the cheek weights.
Cheek weights fitted.
Angle is adjustable.



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.

 
The parts in the trays.
On the road.
Handrails on the crane reflect a working position.
Detailed chassis.
Chi Deh decoration is great.
 
Very good profile.
Opening cab door.
Angled fly jib.
Long telescopic fly jib.