NZG 493 - Grove RT 700E Mobile Crane
Model Review April 2004

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The heavy rough terrain Grove RT700E.

Brass sheaves in the boom top.

Fly jib attached to the side.

Rear view.  Good lock on the steering.

The Grove RT 700E is one of a series of heavy rough terrain cranes which are generally not road going but are most at home on road construction projects or anywhere with challenging terrain.  This model is 1:50 scale (a 1:87 scale version also exists).

Packaging

The model comes in a small picture box and is securely packaged within a polystyrene insert.  There was no damage to the review model.  No instructions are included.

Detail

The detail on the carrier is simple rather than complex.  Ladders are provided on each side which look effective with the associated fuel tanks.  Lights are provided by means of decals front and rear.  The tyres have a basic tread detail. The outrigger pads are particularly good.  The model lacks a loop on the front for attaching the hooks whilst travelling and on a rough terrain crane such as this it is sorely missed. A toothed slewing ring is visible under the crane body.

Turning to the crane body, the cab has basic interior detail and the rest of the body has simple detailing.  A little more detail such as orange beacons would enhance the look of the model. The boom is four section and a folding lattice fly jib is provided which is carried on the side of the main boom on brackets in transport mode although it is trial and error to get the best position for this.  The fly jib is pleasing with a brass pulley at the end of the folding jib and is fixed to the main boom head by the usual system of pins. The model cheats a little at the end of the lattice jib section however where a pulley is not provided but the pulley shape is contained within the casting of the piece. 

The boom head itself has brass pulleys and allows the crane to be rigged with two lines as shown in the picture.  Strangely however the model only has one pulley where the lines are received at the boom head from the winches rather than the two that are required.  This means you have to run both lines through one pulley which does not look good.

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