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| The plain box. |
 |
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| The parts out of
the box. |
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| Loaded on a
Nooteboom
OSDS 3-axle. |
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| Three sets of
rams per unit. |
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| The operator's
console has painted buttons. Small graphics
add realism. |
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| Using straps under the outrigger beams.
|
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| Profile view.
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|
 Comment on this model.
This is a model of a lifting frame
with a nominal capacity of 720 tonnes. When set up it
is 35cm long, 14cm wide and can have a height up to
about 19cm.
It is in the colours of
Sarens, the Belgian lifting
specialist.
Packaging
This model box is plain white but inside the parts are
packed well inside black foam rubber with some pieces
wrapped in tissue.
There were no missing parts on the review
model but one tie bar did not have holes drilled at one
end, but this did not affect posing the model.
There is no information about the real machine or model,
and no instructions. However assembly is
straightforward and obvious, although at least a photo
or sketch of the assembled model would have been
helpful. Some spare pins and two tools are
included.
Detail
The metal tracks are finely crafted with the channels
having web stiffeners, and they pin together to form
continuous lengths.
Each lifting unit is highly detailed. There are tiny
rollers underneath, and the hydraulics have rubber hoses
with some having connectors on the ends.
The casting details are also very good including
non-functioning lifting eyes, fine grab rails and a
detailed equipment and console area. There are
realistic small graphics around the units. The
lifting cylinders are very well engineered.
The main beams are heavy-sections, with lifting slots
and a safe load graphic. Brackets fit over the
beams and these are really well made out of a number of
parts.
Four heavy strap guides are supplied for using on loads,
however no straps are included with the model which is a
pity. For this review some simple straps were made
from packaging strapping and paperclips.
Features
The lifting units roll along the tracks smoothly, and
the 'pusher' cylinder can extend and retract. The
lifting cylinders are in three stages and extend easily
and the head rotates. The locking system is by
means of a small Allen key turning very small grub screws and it
works really well locking the cylinders into place with
confidence. However on the review model some of
the screws were initially tight and hard to unlock.
The lifting brackets can be positioned anywhere along
the main beams.
One option for displaying the separate parts is as a haulage load.
When assembled the frame is sturdy enough to handle a
heavy model load.
Quality
This is a very high quality model with many small parts
which have to be handled with respect. The paint
finish is very good with just a few very minor chips on
the review sample. The small graphics add realism.
Price
Quite a large and detailed model results when it is
built up and so it is good value for the price.
Overall
This as an unusual model from YCC, and when it is set up
it looks impressive, particularly if carrying a load.
It would have been good if a simple instruction sheet
and some lifting straps had been included.
Footnotes
The model first appeared as a prototype at the Nuremberg
Toy Fair in February 2011 and it became available in
September 2011. A version was made in yellow as model
700-1. This Sarens version appeared in December 2014. |
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|
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| The box insert
has high quality foam rubber. |
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| Interesting as
a transport load.
|
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| The lifting
frame is large when assembled. |
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| The gantry
moves itself with hydraulic rams. |
|
|
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| Lifting a
Tadano ATF 400G-6. |
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| The straps are
not included. These versions were home made. |
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