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| Detailed metal tracks and frames. |
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| Tremendous detail at the boom pivot point with hydraulic cables everywhere. |
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| 'Vision' cab with sliding door and Manitowoc name on the seat back. |
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| The Extended Upper Boom with swivel hook and weight ball and 100t hook block. |
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| Connections at the boom top are riveted so not easily undone, and there are no sheaves for heavy lifting. |
TWH 016 - Manitowoc 16000 Crawler Crane
Model Review June 2008
Details (continued)
At the front of the crane body two fine slewing motors are modelled complete with power cables leading from their tops. Behind these are some connection points for hydraulic hosing which runs from the winch drum in the boom butt section. Immediately behind the cab there are hydraulic jacks (two on each side) which are used to jack the rotating bed assembly up when installing the carbody (the under frame and slewing mechanism). They swing out and can rotate into position, but are non-functional.
At the rear of the crane body, counterweight trays hang off each side which have one slab permanently fixed in each tray. The slabs have both step irons and lifting lugs so realistic loading of the slabs can be posed although they do not stack perfectly due to slight manufacturing tolerance differences in the way the lifting lugs are fitted to each slab.
Within the crane body an engine block is present with radiator assemblies being the visible parts. Hoses run inside the body and lead to very well detailed luffing winches. A pair of fine exhaust pipes are modelled.
Turning to the boom connection point, large silver screws are used for both the boom and the moving mast and these look slightly obtrusive on the model. The moving mast has a couple of lifting strops attached which are presumably replicating the system for lifting the boom butt using the moving mast during assembly. However the strops are riveted in position so this cannot be posed. The pulley sheaves associated with the luffing gear are metal.
The boom and jib sections of the crane have chord members which are genuine tube shapes so are very convincing. The geometry is very good and is a significant improvement over the Manitowoc 18000 model and no doubt a number of lessons have been learned to produce the 16000. Some very minor kinks can be seen in individual chord members but overall the boom parts are very straight, and joining the boom sections uses small screws which are strong and positive. Many of the boom sections have replica timber protection strips applied. The pendants (straps) are made of thin metal strips with screwed connections which work well but are easily bent, and when this occurs it is more difficult to get them perfectly straight again. When rigging the boom at full length there is an intermediate support point from the pendants to the boom and this is modelled well.
Within the boom butt section is a winch which is very good in terms of detail and is complete with hydraulic hosing which connects through into the main crane body. Pulleys on the model are first rate as they have spokes and turn freely on their axles. The boom top has metal Manitowoc sign boards although surprisingly there are no sheaves in this part so the crane cannot be posed in a heavy lift configuration. The model comes with an extended boom point which has excellent spoked sheaves and rollers. It is however riveted to the boom top so it represents the only display option available.
Two hooks are supplied. The main block is metal and has 3 sheaves and a swivelling hook with safety catch. The whip line is a typical headache ball hook.