 | | The box. |  |  | | The various parts out of the box. |  | | The demolition arm makes a great transport load. |  | | Very impressive when fully extended. |  | | Tracks can be set narrow for travelling on a flatbed, or wide for when supporting that big demolition arm. |  | | Fierce looking jaws. |
| This model is of the demolition version of the Case CX800 Excavator. It is one of the larger machines of this type and features a telescopic boom which enables high reach for the jaws up multi-storey buildings.
Packaging
The model comes in a larger-than-expected high quality box. No particular detail is printed on the outside regarding the machine. Inside the packaging is top quality with the various pieces of the model securely held within foam rubber. The review model was completely unmarked and undamaged.
No instructions are provided with the model and assembly of the pieces is fairly intuitive but a simple sheet containing some diagrams would have been helpful for those with little experience of model collecting. Some information about the real machine would also be appreciated by collectors.
Detail
The first and immediate reaction to the model is how solid and heavy it is. In fact the body without attachments weighs in at about 1.3kg (3lbs) and feels like solid metal.
The heavy weight kicks in with the track frames and metal tracks. The frames are detailed enough although the rollers are not moving parts, and the drive sprockets have some detail. The tracks are made up of a large number of individual links and the overall effect is very pleasing.
The body casting has a variety of detail such as grilles and hatch handles, and there is a degree of texture on the walkway on the driver's side. A feature is the very good metal handrails and ladders. The cab has basic internal detail such as seats and controls, and the body of the cab is a fine casting. A plastic debris guard covers the front and top windscreens.
The first stage of the boom has hydraulic hosing detail cast in to the top and at the base plastic hosing takes this into the body. Small rubber lights are attached on either side of the boom. The twin hydraulic cylinders have plastic jackets but fortunately the colour match to the paint is very good. The digging arm is all metal except for the hydraulic cylinder jackets and hydraulic hosing which are plastic. The bucket is particularly good with serious looking teeth and the 'Case' name embossed within the casting.
A simple stand is included which holds the digging arm when not fixed to the machine. The demolition arm is a similarly heavy duty piece of model with plastic for the same items as on the bucket arm. The casting has hose lines and various other plates and covers which provide detail. The jaws are a very effective piece of scale modelling with various rivets and substantial teeth. A stand is provided to hold the demolition arm and consists of two large metal frames held together by two smaller plastic pieces.
Features
As can be expected from a Conrad model the metal tracks work very well and are held in tension by spring-loaded sprockets. The track frames themselves replicate the function of the original machine in that they can be extended for use when the machine is working, and retracted for transport on a low loader so as to reduce the width.
The cab has a tilting mechanism to enable the operator to have a comfortable view of work at height when the demolition boom is extended. The digging and demolition arms are readily interchangeable and attach to the machine by a simple arrangement of latching on and securing with a simple pin. The pin is plastic and works effectively although of course a metal pin would have given a feel of greater quality. The digging arm has two pin holes which enables it to be configured two ways.
The demolition arm is impressive with the main part consisting of a three stage telescope which dramatically increases its length. Despite this, and the weight of the arm, the model remains very stable due to the heaviness of the body. Furthermore the hydraulic cylinders modelled are very stiff so there is no hint of cylinder bleed. In fact the cylinders on the body are so stiff that both muscles and care is needed to adjust the model.
The jaws rotate and can be opened and closed.
Quality
The sheer weight of the model gives it a quality feel and the standard of the castings and all moving parts is very good indeed. The very crisp paintwork and graphics enhance the model significantly.
Although it is always possible to imagine an even greater level of detail, this is an impressive model from Conrad.
Price
This model costs significantly more than the nearest model of this type which is the much older Liebherr 954BV by Conrad (see review here). However the Case is significantly larger and, judging by weight, contains a lot more metal. It is also superior in all other respects.
Overall
Conrad have produced a very good model which is very well engineered. A large variety of display options are possible giving collectors plenty of flexibility. When the demolition arm is fully extended, the model is dominating.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in the Intermat equipment exhibition in April 2006. The model sold at the exhibition had plastic tracks. The production version with metal tracks entered retail channels in September 2006.
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|  | | Inside, very high quality packaging protects the model perfectly. |  | | Excellent metal tracks and a debris guard on the tilting cab are the main body differences from the standard Conrad CX800 excavator model (model 2912). |  | | As an excavator the CX800 looks great. |  | | Fully loaded on a couple of trucks, it makes a great display. |  | | Little brother, big brother. Standing next to the Case 1488 LC. |  | | Lifted off the stand the demolition arm is rock solid. |
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