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| Branded
box with carry handle. |
 |
 |
|
Parts wrapped
in the tray. |
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| Good steering
angle. |
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|
Detailed chassis. |
|
|
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| Small graphics
add detail. |
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| Carrier deck
looks good. |
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| Tilting cab
with sliding door. |
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| Detailed
counterweight. |
 |
|
Lifting on the main boom only. |
|
The XCMG XCA 230 is a five axle all terrain crane with a
capacity of 230 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in an XCMG branded box
with a carry handle. The model is
contained in an expanded polystyrene tray with a lid.
The parts are covered with soft paper.
The review model had no missing parts or manufacturing
defects.
Tools are provided to help with the assembly and
operation of the model. No instructions were included
with the review model.
Detail
The chassis is detailed with the transmission and
suspension modelled. The wheels have tyres with a tread pattern.
The carrier cab has a protection rack on the roof, and
thin windscreen wipers. Interior detail includes
instrument dials, and the steps have plain tread plates.
Behind the cab the detailing of the engine area has
variety with some nice fine mesh grilles, and the
exhaust has a realistic hole. Tiny graphics
add detail along the carrier sides.
The outrigger beams are metal with
marker graphics applied. The pads are separate and
can be secured with tiny pins which are easily dislodged. Metal spreader plates are
included.
The crane cab
has a protection grille and a nice detailed interior. The
crane body has some graphics and metal platforms and
handrails. The
counterweight is made of separate parts and has XCMG
graphics applied. The plates have
useable lifting eyes, and cheek weights can also be
added, but the lifting points are not useable on these.
The winch drums have good quality rope, but there are no
hydraulic hoses running to them.
The boom is detailed with spooling
drums and sharp graphics, although the colour match on
the telescopic section collars is slightly off. The main
boom ram has a metal jacket. The pulleys are
separate metal sheaves.
The fly jib is
provided as two sections and they are joined by loose-fitting
steel pins. The metal lattice work is very
good. Surprisingly there are no brackets on the
side of the boom to carry the jib in transport mode, but
this may reflect the real crane.
Two metal hook blocks are supplied. One is a single
line block and the other has three sheaves. They are very good quality.
A nice XCMG load plate is included but it does not hang
properly from either of the crane hooks.
Features
The model rolls well, and all axles steer
independently, so any modes of the real crane can be
replicated. The steering angle is
reasonable. Each axle also has sprung suspension.
The carrier cab doors open to a moderate angle.
The
two stage outriggers pull out, and the pads can be
lowered, but they are not load bearing which is a
surprising modelling decision. The stability of
the model lifting over the side is impaired unless the
pads are supported fully raised.
The crane cab
tilts, and the cab door slides open nicely.
The counterweight tray has a smooth bottom will not
pose properly on the carrier deck during
self-ballasting. It fits on by hanging off brackets so
care is required as it is easily dislodged.
The boom raises easily as there is no friction in the
boom ram. A pose is held by tightening grub screws in
the ram jacket and this works well. The
telescopic sections pull out and
lock at full extension only.
The fixed fly jib can be attached and it is luffing so
it can be set at variable offset angles using a
reasonably stiff hydraulic ram.
The winches have a positive brake action and they perform
well. Each of the hook blocks can be used together on
the main boom, or with the fly jib fitted.
Quality
This model has a high metal content with little plastic
used. The quality level is very good overall.
The
metallic paintwork is attractive, and the graphics are
also very good.
Price
It is a good value crane model based on the
price charged from China.
Overall
This is a well made
crane model which looks good. However, in terms of functionality
it is odd that the outriggers are not load bearing.
Footnotes
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|
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| On the road. |
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| Attractive
gold colour scheme. |
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| Hooks tie on
for transport. |
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| Detailed
interior. |
|
|
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| Fly jib. |
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Nice display. |
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Fly jib fitted. |
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