 |
| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
 |
| Chunky tyres. |
 |
| Ladder down and
handrails up for servicing. |
|
|
 |
| Driver in the
cab. |
 |
| Middle stage
ram piston is off colour. |
 |
| A simulated
dummy load is included with the model. |
 |
| Travelling with
a 'rock' load. |
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| Lights at the
front. |
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| The lighting
works really well. |
|
The Caterpillar AD60 weighs around 112 tonnes fully
loaded, with the payload capacity being 60 tonnes. It is
a low headroom machine which is specially designed for
underground
operations.
Packaging
The model comes in exemplary 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.
An instruction sheet for fitting the batteries to the model
is included, as is a mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range.
Detail
The underside has reasonable detailing with the transmission
modelled. The tyres have a good tread pattern and they
are mounted on plastic wheels with a detailed outside face and
hollow inner faces.
At the front the radiator grille is plastic, and the
towing hitch has a painted pin. The fire
extinguishers look good, and the plastic engine block is
visible from one side. The handrails and mirrors are
plastic and they have a very good colour match.
The special exhaust system is also plastic.
The cab windows have nice black seals and inside the cab
there is the usual operator provided by Diecast
Masters.
Detail at the pivot point is very good and includes a
movable
locking bar for the steering. Hoses and cables
cross the pivot point.
The dump body is detailed well with useable lifting eyes
in the sides and nice internal texturing. Locking pins
at the rear are highlighted with red paint and there are
soft rubber mud flaps. The two stage hydraulic rams
have a plastic middle section which does not look right
because of its grey colour rather than
chrome.
A plastic insert is provided for the dump body which
replicates a load, and it provides an interesting
alternative way to pose the model.
Features
It rolls very smoothly on the big wheels. Steering
across the pivot point has a shallow angle of perhaps
only around 20°. Decent oscillation at the pivot
point allows for rough terrain.
There are numerous handrails at the front which can be
folded down for low headroom work. There is also a
folding access ladder.
The dump bed raises to a reasonable angle with the load
floor at about 45°, which is short of the real machine.
The model features working lights, front and rear.
These are implemented very well. There is a switch
underneath which can be set to off, on and timer.
When switched to on, the lights can be switched on and
off by pressing down on the cab roof. The
lights are LED and bright, and look really good.
The timer features automatic switch off after 20
seconds.
The load insert can be added, or left off.
Quality
It is a very good quality model with a quite high metal content.
The finish is very nice.
Price
It is very good value having regard to the features.
Overall
Diecast Masters has taken another step forward with the
implementation of lighting on this model. It has
been included in a thoughtful way, and the ability to
use the cab roof as a switch is inspired. Overall
it is an excellent model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2016.
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|
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|
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| Low headroom
for tunnel work. |
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| Decent detail
underneath. Light switch is in front of the wheel
at the front. |
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| High detail at
the pivot point. |
|
|
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| Tipping with
the lights on.
|
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| Profile view. |
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| Oscillation at
the pivot point. |
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| Lights at the
rear. |
 |
| Being loaded by
an R3000H. |
|
