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| Caterpillar branded
tin. |
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| The parts. |
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| Sharp Cat graphics. |
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| Operator installed.
Opening cab door. |
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| Nice hydraulics. |
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|
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| Busy
hydraulics. |
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| Excavator boom
can be fitted in two optional positions. |
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| Opening panels. |
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| Decent depth of
dig. |
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| The boom stand. |
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| Moving to
position. |
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| Tilting cab. |
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The Caterpillar 352 UHD Excavator weighs around 68 tonnes.
It is used for demolition and site clearance activities.
This version of the model can be configured as a demolition
machine or excavator.
Packaging
The model comes in excellent packaging. There
is an outer shipping carton which contains a tin which is
protected by a nylon bag. The tin is high quality
and includes pictures and details about the real machine.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
A mini catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included.
Two instruction sheets describe how to fit the booms, the
features of the model and how the operator can be inserted
in the cab.
Detail
The undercarriage is mainly metal with ridged sections
containing the extending mechanism. The tracks
are metal and are typically narrow for a demolition machine.
They are mounted on detailed track frames with no working
rollers.
The cab has got plastic debris protection screens and a
plastic mirror. There are grab handles outside the
cab. Inside the detail is very good with Cat on the
seatback and also on the left control console. An
operator wearing bright high visibility clothing can be
fixed in the cab.
The body panels have handles modelled with the side grilles
formed by graphics. The hinges for the panels are
silver coloured so they are noticeable. The Cat graphics
are very sharp and there are some tiny warning signs. There
are textured walkway surfaces and the handrails are metal.
Multiple soft hydraulic lines run to the boom foot and yellow
pipes are modelled in soft plastic.
The demolition boom is metal and dense hydraulic pipe arrays
run along the top. Lifting eye locations are modelled
but are not useable. Rivets are painted and Cat graphics
are applied. The hydraulic ram at the end of the stick
has a protection cover.
Two demolition tools are included, an MP332 Concrete Cutter
Jaw and an MP324 Demolition Jaw. Both parts are metal
with detailed graphics.
The excavator boom is metal and also has complex hydraulics
modelling. The quick connector is plastic with an
excellent colour match. The metal bucket is a nice
casting with sharp teeth.
Also included with the model is a stand for supporting a
boom when not attached to the excavator. It has metal
handrails mounted on a plastic platform with plastic supports.
Features
The tracks roll easily, and they are mounted on
spring-loaded idlers to maintain tension. The
track frames are extendible so the model can be displayed
in transport or working modes.
It rotates well.
The cab door opens to a good angle, and the cab tilts significantly
for demolition operations. Any pose can be held.
There are three opening panels on the operator's side, and
another one on the opposite side. An engine cover
on top also opens. Engine and other details are revealed.
The demolition boom and stick have a good range of movement.
Although the instruction sheets warn of stability issues
with the big boom fitted, in practice it is pretty good,
and most practical poses are possible. It is likely
that some of the hydraulic rams might bleed down over time
so two clips are included. These can be fitted to
ram pistons to lock the extension, and they are well designed
as they can be positioned so that the silver ram remains
visible.
The demolition tools can be attached with four screws.
They rotate, and the jaws can be opened and close.
the hydraulic connections to the tools are pressed into
pre-formed holes, but they are on the loose side and easily
pop out.
The excavator boom can be fitted in one of two possible
positions. The movement of boom and stick is very good,
and the bucket movement is too. Digging at depth is
realistic.
The bucket clips on and is easily removed.
Either boom can be parked on the boom stand.
The operator can be installed in the cab for when the model
is posed working, or the cab can be empty to represent the
machine being parked up or transported.
Quality
It is a robust model with a high metal content.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is pricey but it includes a lot
of model for the money.
Overall
It has been a long wait for a big Caterpillar demolition
model and Diecast Masters has delivered an excellent replica.
It is flexible and functional, with very nice detailing,
and would look great in a suitable diorama.
Footnotes
The model became available in July 2021.
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| The contents of
the tin. |
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| Rigged as an excavator. |
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| Track frames extended.
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Opening engine cover. Logo on the engine. |
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| It is stable in
this pose. |
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| Engine detail. |
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| Loading. |
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| Removable
bucket. |
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| Convoy. |
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| Connecting the
boom. |
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| On site. |
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| At work. |
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| Two demolition
tools. |
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