Ros 80106 Wolff 7532 Tower Crane Cranes Etc Model Review

A very long box.

The model inside the box, complete with CD.

Detailed counter jib.

The model looks convincing on the skyline.

Floodlights attached to the mast.

Nice mesh walkways.

Climbing frame does not have an opening for a new mast section.

Capacity board and ballast blocks at the base.

Metal trolley.

Cab detail.

The Wolffkran medal.

Equipment cabinet and winch at the end of the counter jib.

Operator's seat in the cab.

Jib is nice and straight on the review model.

The Wolff 7532 tower crane is a large trolley jib crane of conventional design and features a jib length which provides a reach of up to 75m at which point it can lift 2.9 tonnes. At 30m radius it can lift 12 tonnes.

This model is made by Ros of Italy and is in 1:87 scale. It comes with a jib that scales at the maximum 75m of the real crane.

As with other Ros tower crane models it comes in a very large box and is largely pre-assembled and fully reeved. Both the mast and the entire crane above the slewing ring are fully made up and just need to be joined together, which takes only a few minutes. A CD is included and this has simple assembly instructions but unfortunately it does not include any photos or specifications of the real machine.

The mast is a shared design with other Wolff tower crane models. At the bottom, the cruciform arrangement screws onto a black plastic base which provides additional stability. Plastic access ladders run up through the mast, and there are access platforms within each mast section. The mast appears to be made up of separate sections, but these are glued together so it is not easy to build the crane to any height other than the prefabricated one. Large solid blocks provide ballast at the bottom of the mast and these are cast and painted to resemble concrete slabs. A capacity board is fitted just above the base. Four floodlights are provided and these can be fitted as desired.

A climbing frame is included and this is a large piece with the main structure in metal. The access platforms are plastic and they appear a little too narrow on the model. More surprisingly, the climbing frame has complete lattice work where the mast section should be able to be installed through the frame which seems an odd aspect of the model. The hydraulic jack is not modelled and there is no connection point on the mast for the top of the climbing frame.

The jib is well made and straight, which is a very good achievement given its length. It is made up of seven separate sections but unfortunately these are riveted together so it is a pity that alternative shorter jib configurations cannot be easily built. An experienced collector could drill out the rivets and replace them with pins to provide a more flexible model. Small brass pulleys are used to run the trolley and hoist ropes. A warning light is modelled at the end of the jib and there is a mesh walkway that runs to the end of the jib. A Wolff signboard clips into the jib latticework.

The counter jib has a convincing structure with a full mesh walkway, and the counterweights look like concrete slabs. However, the handrails are a little large for the scale.

The cab and equipment box is plastic, but the detail is reasonable with a windscreen wiper and operator's seat.

The trolley is metal with brass pulleys, as is the hook, and both are well made. A Wolff 'medal' is provided which can be used as a load for the crane.

The hook can be raised and lowered using the winch and there was enough friction on the review model to be able to hold a load.

The crane can rotate fully and smoothly, and is reasonably stable throughout, although not much load can be a carried at the end of the jib.

It has a working trolley which moves by turning the winch on the trolley motor. It works reasonably well although it gets stiff at various points due to the reeving on the drums.

The casting and paint work on the model are good, and the colour match of plastic parts is very good.

As with other Ros models of Wolff tower cranes the model looks very good and is a convincing representation of the real crane. Some of the details and accuracy could certainly be improved however, and the model would have been improved by being able to be broken down into component parts like the original. The model is recommended to tower crane collectors.

Cranes Etc Model Rating 2009
Packaging (max 10)	8
Detail (max 30)	21
Features (max 20)	14
Quality (max 25)	18
Price (max 15)	12
Overall (max 100)	73%