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Large Caterpillar
branded tin. |
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Impressive
appearance. |
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Very detailed
chassis. |
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Excellent mesh
grille. |
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Stairs lowered. |
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Opening doors
on both sides. |
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High detail. |
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Tipping. |
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Being loaded. |
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The Caterpillar 794
AC Mining Truck has a payload of 297 Metric tonnes. It is used for large quarry operations.
Packaging
The model comes in substantial high
quality packaging. There is
an outer shipping carton which contains a tin which is
protected by expanded polystyrene trays. The tin is high quality
and includes pictures and details about the real
machine.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
A 2020 mini brochure of the Diecast Masters range is
included, as is an instruction sheet for installing the
operator.
Detail
This is a large heavy model weighing around 3kg.
The chassis construction is heavy with very good
detailing which is a result of using plastic parts with
an excellent colour match. Many cables and
pipes are modelled and they give a complex
appearance. Also modelled is a ladder inside one of the
front wheels.
The large wheels are detailed and the tyres have a realistic matt
finish and a detailed tread pattern.
The front of the truck has an
impressive radiator grille and
the access stairs and ladders are plastic,
but the handrails are metal and realistically thin.
There are two separate wheel chocks. The level of
detail throughout is high.
The cab deck is textured
with a non-slip surface and there is an impressive
cabinet with highlighted grilles and handles.
The radial grid on the right hand side has very
nice metal mesh. There are digital load indicators
on both sides.
The cab is metal and the seats and controls are visible,
and an operator can be installed.
Large mirrors on each side of the
truck are plastic.
Between the wheels are large boxes and tanks which are
modelled in plastic with enhanced detail, and with an excellent colour match.
Below the
dump body the top of the chassis also has many details with
various tanks and pipes modelled. Two large two-stage hydraulic
pistons lift the dump body, with the middle stage being
light grey plastic which does not look so good.
Large soft mud flaps look good.
The dump body is a large metal casting with some plastic
elements. Sharp graphics are applied and lifting eyes
are formed but are not complete holes.
At
the rear end a couple of bars hang down between the rear
pairs of tyres to clear out trapped material and a
safety cable is modelled. The detailing at the
back is excellent including detailed graphics on the
suspension cylinders and intricate highlighting of the
rear axle.
Features
The front wheels steer although the range of movement is
moderate.
The rear axle suspension works well.
At the front the access stairs at the bottom fold down to
enable an operator to board the truck. A ladder on
the opposite can be folded down.
There are two opening gates at the top of the ladder and
stairs.
The dump body tilts well to a decent angle and the cylinders
are stiff enough to hold the body at any angle.
On the cab deck an access flap can be opened to enable
the engine to be seen. The cab has opening doors on each
side.
The operator can be installed, or left out.
Quality
It is a high quality model with significant metal content
and appropriate use of plastic.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is a very large model which is fully priced.
Overall
This is another well presented model by Diecast Masters.
It is impressive with many nice details, and poses well
with a suitable mining excavator.
Footnotes
The model was released in April 2021.
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Moderate
steering angle. |
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Rock deflectors hang down. |
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Access ladder
lowered. |
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Detailed rear
axles.
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Profile view. |
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Opening engine
cover. |
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Travelling
loaded. |
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Load tipped. |
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Impressive with
an excavator. |
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