 | | The Heritage Collection box. |  |  | | Digging to the side. |  | | Nice detail underneath and the steering has a good lock. |  | | Opening bonnet (hood). |
| Poclain is a French company that invented the hydraulic excavator and was very successful before being sold to the American company Case in 1974.
A range of Poclain heritage models has been produced and this is a model of one of the earlier machines, the TP30 which is a TY45 Excavator mounted on a GMC truck chassis.
Packaging
The model comes in a Poclain heritage style box which contains the model wrapped in a foam covering. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
A couple of stays are provided as extra parts and these have to be fitted to restrain the boom when the machine is being transported. No instructions about the model or information about the real machine is provided.
Detail
Underneath, the model has replicated differentials and drive shafts, and a metal exhaust. The tyres all have a deep tread and are mounted on convincing detailed hubs.
At the front, the wheel arches are metal with a textured top surface and plastic indicator lights. The front bumper is also metal with the radiator grille being plastic. A couple of nice old fashioned round headlamps sit above the bumper. The driving cab is somewhat simple and reflects the basic nature of the original machine. It has a bench seat, steering wheel and pedals, and the roof is plastic to replicate tarpaulin. At the rear the outrigger beam is nicely decorated.
The excavator is nicely cast in metal with good detailing around the body. The cab includes a seat and controls, although the window to the door is not glazed. The excavator boom is also quite good with fairly small rivets used which are not obtrusive. The clamshell bucket is mainly metal and looks authentic.
Features
The steering on the front axle is very good allowing a good hard lock to be obtained.
To stabilise the excavator the outrigger pads fold down using an unusual single hydraulic cylinder mechanism.
At the front the bonnet (hood) opens to reveal the engine, and the cab door on the excavator can also be opened.
The excavator has full 360° rotation and the boom can be posed in any position with the cylinders stiff enough to prevent any bleeding. The clamshell can be opened and closed.
Quality
The quality is to usual Conrad standards with plastic used sparingly and appropriately. The paint finish is very good and the applied graphics are sharp.
Price
The model is reasonable value.
Overall
This is an interesting historic model which has been well executed by Conrad. It seems a little small and spartan, but in those respects it reflects its heritage.
Footnotes
The model was introduced at Intermat in April 2009, and was available shortly afterwards. There is also a limited edition version featuring the GMC truck in US Army green.
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|  | | Front view. |  | | Rear view showing the transport stays holding the boom. |  | | The cab door opens. |  | | Outriggers down. |  | | Digging over the rear end. |
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