Rear view.

Underside view.

The outrigger pads are carried at the back.  There is a fold-down extension deck also.

A hatch is removeable to reveal engine detail.

Outrigger beams are metal and no screw threads are visible.

More opening doors into the crane engine compartment.

WSI 9004 - Spierings SK599 AT5 Mobile Tower Crane
Model Review June 2008

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Detail

Commencing underneath, there is a very well detailed drive train with differentials and prop shafts which links the driven axles (2, 3, 4 and 5).  There is also cabling running from the engine area and the suspension is modelled also. The wheels are mounted on realistic looking hubs with very good heavily patterned tyres.  The vehicle appears to sit a little high on the wheels and some collectors have remarked on this.  However in the UK there is at least one crane which has a configuration of wheels and tyres which make the model appear correct - see this photo.

At the front the driving cab has headlights with tiny lenses and there are the usual windscreen wiper and wing mirrors, with a collector-fixed orange beacon light for the cab roof.  Inside, the cab is well detailed with steering wheel, pedals and seats.  Behind the cab is the engine compartment and this has some fine photo etched grille detail.

The carrier deck has a textured non-slip surface.  Below this the outrigger beams and pads are all metal and are painted with hazard markings. A number of excellent rubber mud flaps protect the outriggers and these are all imprinted with the Spierings logo. At the rear there is a stowage area where four metal plates used for spreading the load under the outrigger pads are kept, and the provision of these is a welcome detail.  A pull down rack is provided and painted light clusters and two collector-fitted orange beacon lights complete the detail.

The crane body sits on a large toothed ring which is clearly visible.  The body is very well detailed with tiny graphics which look authentic. Many of the smaller mechanical parts have been modelled in fine detail.  Inside the engine compartment of the crane, the engine has been modelled complete with some cabling and the exhaust system.  A compromise in the model is the provision of a separate counterweight block which can be fitted when the mast is raised as a way of helping the model to retain balance.

The mast section is a three stage telescope and all parts are metal with the exception of the collar on top of the second stage.  The casting is good with plenty of structural detail. A three stage telescopic ladder is attached to the mast together with a lift cage which has some tiny operating notices attached.  At the top of the mast is the operator’s cab and this is a superior piece of modelling with windscreen wipers, and a very well detailed cab interior including an electrical cabinet. A grille section acting as an entrance flap rests on the cab floor although it is not see-through like the real machine.  Other detail at the mast top includes a collector-fitted orange beacon light and floodlight.

The mechanical linkages to the crane are almost entirely metal with the main exception being the plastic cylinder jackets on the jib luffing gear.  The jib sections are all fully triangulated, and metal, and each of the four sections of jib appears to be made up of two castings – the top two sides is one piece and the underside is the other.  The quality of manufacture here is good, so the jib sections are convincing.  Fitted along the jib are a number of floodlights and these are each complete with tiny bulbs.

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