Heng Long MERKAVA review, build out and field testing.

[keilau]

The Heng Long Merkava is a very nice RC tank for metal upgrade. I am half way through it.

1. Heng Xin gearbox with 390 motor.
2. Drive motor shaft ball bearing
3. Metal suspension arms and road wheels.
4. Hooben nylon tracks (close pin design and no stretching)

[Rubicon99]

The Heng Long Merkava is a very nice RC tank for metal upgrade. I am half way through it.

1. Heng Xin gearbox with 390 motor.
2. Drive motor shaft ball bearing
3. Metal suspension arms and road wheels.
4. Hooben nylon tracks (close pin design and no stretching)

Oh the Hooben track does stretch like all track does. RichJohnson who has been running them a few years now on his Hooben Merkava can attest to that. Still they are very good tracks and a lot quieter running then the HL metal tracks.

[Rubicon99]

Hi all,

My Merkava is here. What a big tank and I think HL really steps up with this release. Dai

The Merkava is by far the most detailed of all HLs stock tanks. It is the only stock tank to use a torsion bar suspension. Interesting the real Merkava does not have torsion bar suspension.

[dai phan]

Hi all,

I start assembling the tank tonight. The metal hub caps are bigger than the holes requiring me to use the hammer to hammer them in. I am sure that process has cracked something. Not good way to start. Dai

[keilau]

Hi all,

I start assembling the tank tonight. The metal hub caps are bigger than the holes requiring me to use the hammer to hammer them in. I am sure that process has cracked something. Not good way to start. Dai

Don't worry. The hub cap press fit is done on purpose so that they stay in place during operation yet still removeable when you need to. A gentle pressure using a C-clamp or similar tool is much preferred over hammer.

[dai phan]

Don't worry. The hub cap press fit is done on purpose so that they stay in place during operation yet still removeable when you need to. A gentle pressure using a C-clamp or similar tool is much preferred over hammer.

Gentle press fit was not possible by any means. I had to support the base and hammer the hell out to get them to go down! Dai

[keilau]

Gentle press fit was not possible by any means. I had to support the base and hammer the hell out to get them to go down! Dai

I use a C-clamp. Turning the C-clamp slowly to push the hub cap in works for me every time. In most cases, your thumb is not strong enough to push into metal. You can file down the ream of the hub slightly to make it easier to start the press. Friction fit is a very common shop practice. It works on the slight elasticity of metal. It is your choice to hammer or use gentle pressure.

[dai phan]

Hi all,

As I feared missing part on my tank again. I checked checked checked and not in the box. Time to go through another claim with MRC and I hope they find my order this time ! Dai

[dai phan]

I use a C-clamp. Turning the C-clamp slowly to push the hub cap in works for me every time. In most cases, your thumb is not strong enough to push into metal. You can file down the ream of the hub slightly to make it easier to start the press. Friction fit is a very common shop practice. It works on the slight elasticity of metal. It is your choice to hammer or use gentle pressure.

My other HL 15 tanks with metal wheels/tracks I do not have this issue at all. Maybe HL makes the hub slightly larger this time so they can be tapped into place? Dai

[Max-U52]

If you have access to a pair, try the craftsman robo grip pliers. Unlike channel locks, the jaws come together evenly instead of pivoting on the rear point. This makes them almost like a tiny little Arbor press, rather than a pair of pliers. I first used them to install the return rollers on a Pz4 and they worked just great.

[keilau]

If you have access to a pair, try the craftsman robo grip pliers. Unlike channel locks, the jaws come together evenly instead of pivoting on the rear point. This makes them almost like a tiny little Arbor press, rather than a pair of pliers. I first used them to install the return rollers on a Pz4 and they worked just great.

Very good suggestion. In fact, I use the grip piler 70% of the time when I need an arbor press. It is very convenient. For thicker piece, I use a clamp. The key is to compress the pieces slowly and gently.

[RichJohnson]

If you have access to a pair, try the craftsman robo grip pliers. Unlike channel locks, the jaws come together evenly instead of pivoting on the rear point. This makes them almost like a tiny little Arbor press, rather than a pair of pliers. I first used them to install the return rollers on a Pz4 and they worked just great.

Robo grip…. Wow that is something I have not heard in a great many years. I was selling Craftsman tools in 1996 when the Robo grip was released. I still have my 3 piece set in my tool box.

[Max-U52]

This video shows me using the robogrip to press on the outer half of a P4 metal roadwheel. Skip ahead to about 2 minutes for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XASZk_R_hbM

[keilau]

This video shows me using the robogrip to press on the outer half of a P4 metal roadwheel. Skip ahead to about 2 minutes for that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XASZk_R_hbM

Use the robogrip piler instead of an arbo press for light job is a widely used practice in machine shops, research lab and model shops world wide. I do not take an video, but that's how I fit the metal road wheels onto the suspension arms of the HL Merkava, thanks for your brass foil suggestion to fix the under sized arm axles.

[HPVictor]

Hello everyone. I have 2 questions about the HL Merkava. (I have just bought one.) 1, When holding the gun barrel between thumb and forefinger, I can rotate it slightly a few degrees left and right. Is this normal? 2, There is a round short tube thing to the right and just behind the hatch on top of the turret. Mine is open but some models seem to have it closed with a little knob on top. Any clues about this? Thank you.

[Rubicon99]

Hello everyone. I have 2 questions about the HL Merkava. (I have just bought one.) 1, When holding the gun barrel between thumb and forefinger, I can rotate it slightly a few degrees left and right. Is this normal? 2, There is a round short tube thing to the right and just behind the hatch on top of the turret. Mine is open but some models seem to have it closed with a little knob on top. Any clues about this? Thank you.

The barrel movement is normal.

[Woohoo\o/]

I just ordered the “upgrade” version and I’m pumped. I wanted the pro version but couldn’t afford it. Are the metal tracks a must upgrade?

[RichJohnson]

Not necessary as the plastic wheels etc won’t wear the plastic track much, it holds up quite well. I have both versions. The pro is a beast. I actually like the plastic tracks, but aside from being in the basic and upgrade versions you can’t find it separately, only the metal.
all track will stretch over time, be prepared for that.

[Woohoo\o/]

Thanks. I will order me a spare set of tracks for the impending stretch.

[keilau]

Thanks. I will order me a spare set of tracks for the impending stretch.

I ended up upgrading to the Hooben nylon track and spocket. For the Heng Long track, the wear and stretching comes from its open pin design. The completely enclosed Hooben track is much higher quality.