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[Music] The infinite variety, forever crossing a threshold. [Music] In this retro video review, we go back to 2007, and what a colorful box we have. It is the RTC 8100 Series 2, and it's a rough terrain crane made by Link-Belt.
Detailed 2007 review of the NZG Link-Belt RTC-80100 rough terrain crane model, highlighting features, detailing, and functionality.
Key Takeaways
- The NZG Link-Belt RTC-80100 model offers high detail and realistic functionality.
- Assembly involves several detailed steps including attaching counterweights and fly jib.
- The model features linked steering on all axles and functional outriggers.
- Despite some stiffness in moving parts, the model allows for realistic posing and operation.
- The model set a high standard for crane models when released in 2006.
What the video covers
- Review of the NZG Link-Belt RTC-80100 Series 2 rough terrain crane model from 2007.
- Unboxing and weighing of the model, including packaging details and components.
- Step-by-step assembly instructions covering counterweights, outriggers, hook, and fly jib.
- Detailed examination of model features such as steering, tires, ladders, and paintwork.
- High-quality cab detailing with functional elements like sliding doors and grab rails.
- Functional outriggers with single-stage beams and adjustable pads.
- Telescopic boom extension with friction locking and bifold fly jib attachment.
- Model dimensions measured with boom fully extended and fly jib attached.
- Historical context noting the model’s 2006 release and its high standard for detailing and flexibility.
- Overall rating of the model as excellent at the time of review.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction and Box Overview
- 01:05Unboxing and Initial Weighing
- 02:17Assembly: Counterweights and Outriggers
- 02:49Assembly: Hook and Fly Jib Installation
- 03:21Detailed Model Features and Paintwork
- 04:08Cab and Body Detailing
- 04:44Rear Detailing and Boom Features
- 05:18Functionality: Steering, Outriggers, and Boom Extension
- 06:40Winches, Fly Jib Operation, and Hoist Rope Setup
- 07:27Dimensions and Final Assessment
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
As you can see, there's a nice picture of the real crane, and there's more on the back. It lists out model specifications, but these are not accurate. It does not have an offset fly jib, there's only one hook included, and all axles actually steer. If we turn the box around and look underneath, we can see that this model is made by NZG, and it's model number 619. Let's weigh it up. As usual, the first job is to weigh the box, and it comes in
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at about 3 pounds 4 ounces, and after a bit of hesitation, it's nearly 1.5 kg. Open the box and see what's inside, and it's the usual pair of expanded polystyrene [Music] trays. The infinite variety, forever crossing a threshold. [Music]
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After transporting it to site, let's put it together. The first thing to do is to add the two counterweights, and to begin with, these get pinned together. We can then offer up the counterweight to the back of the crane,
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and it slots into position and is then secured by a steel pin on each side. To reduce the transport weight, the outrigger boxes are separate parts, and they get attached and clipped into place. To attach them, they get slotted
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into place by dropping them in, and then we go underneath to rotate the clip, and you can make sure it stays clipped by tightening up the screw. Next, we add some detail, and that is the access ladders, which just are dropped in
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at the front. Out of the box, you have to tie on the hook, and the last thing to do is to mount the fly jib onto the side of the boom. Let's weigh it up again. The crane goes onto the weighbridge, and it comes in
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at 2 pounds 12 ounces, and in metrical speak, that is 1.25 kg. [Music] Starting underneath, the detailing is fairly plain. The main structure is modeled, and there's linked steering, and the tires have a decent tread pattern. At each end, the access ladders are metal,
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and there's nice sharp graphics and paintwork. On top, the big chunky tires are mounted on decent-looking wheels, and there's a metal ladder for access to the cab. The simple outrigger beams are metal with some chevron highlighting on top, and the pistons have visible
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screw threads. The detailing of the cab is to a high standard. There's a mirror and wipers, but what's particularly nice are the very thin grab rails. Lights are indicated below the windscreen. A nice aspect of the model is
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the sharp decoration, and there are fixed textured walkways outside the cab. The walkway continues down the side of the body. There is some fine casting details in the body sides, and you can see a tank inside. Moving to the back, there are two
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winches, and there's a plastic mirror on each one. The drums are full of a reasonable quality rope. At the back, the counterweight blocks have some decoration, and there's the Link-Belt name. As you can see, there's some nice
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looking detailing on the opposite side, and that includes a grill and an exhaust pipe. Again, there are some more very thin looking grab rails with panel detailing in the casting. The big towing ring is modeled, and there's another plastic
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grill on this side of the model. The jacket of the main boom ram is plastic. The shape of the boom sections is modeled well, with the walls not being as thin as on more modern models. The boom head is fairly simple, as
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is the headache ball hook that's provided. The fly jib has got nice quality lattice [Music] work. Back underneath, the individual wheels spin freely, and the rear two axles have linked steering. It's a little bit stiff, but you can get a decent pose. The
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front axle also has steering. Out on the crane's ETC Super Highway, the model rolls along reasonably well, but it's not particularly free rolling. But one thing you can certainly get is a very tight turning circle. To get ready for a lift, we need
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to extend the outrigger beams, and they are simple single-stage beams. The pads get lowered by unscrewing, and here we're doing it at super double speed, and this kind of thing you can only see on Cranes ETC. Rotating the crane is initially
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quite stiff, but she's an old girl now, so she just needs a bit of exercise. The telescopic boom is extended in the usual way, and again, there's a bit more stiffness than you might usually expect. But as there's only locking
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points at 100% extension, there is enough friction in the system to be able to pose the boom how you want it to operate. The winches you use the keys that are supplied, and they are friction winches rather than having a
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positive lock. A very nice feature on the model is the cab door, which slides open and shut. The fly jib is of the bifold variety, and to get the full length, you open it up, we'll take the pin out, and
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then rotate the end into position and slot the pin back in to lock it. The fly jib gets hooked onto the end of the boom head, and once it's accurately located, you secure it with two long steel pins. Bringing up the hoist rope is easy
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because it just slots over the top of the fly jib. You can also have an alternative configuration, which is a half-length fly jib. [Music] Time for a dim check. The model is quite large with the boom fully extended, so
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let's do a dim check, and it's about 41 inches or 105 cm to the boom top, and 54 inches or 138 cm to the fly jib. [Music] This Link-Belt model by NZG first appeared in 2006, and at the time, it set a high
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standard for a crane model. The detailing is at a high level, and the functionality also makes it very flexible. It looks really good in the Link-Belt color scheme, and at the time the model was reviewed, it was rated as excellent.
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Topics:NZGLink-BeltRTC-80100rough terrain cranecrane modelmodel reviewCranes Etc TV2007scale modelconstruction equipment
