 |
| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
 |
| Very nice
wheels and tyres. |
 |
| Dummy load is
included. |
|
|
 |
| Opening engine
cover, but angle is restricted. |
 |
| Very good tilt
angle. |
 |
| It makes an
excellent load, and an operator does not have to sit in
the cab. |
 |
| Getting on
board. |
 |
| Goes very well
with other models. |
|
The Caterpillar 745 weighs around 33 tonnes and can
carry a payload of around 45 US Tons.
Packaging
The model comes in the usual 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.
A mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included, and
a single sheet describes how to place the separately
provided operator inside the cab.
Detail
The chassis is modelled well with the drive shafts and
suspension linkages present. The big tyres have a
very good tread pattern and they are mounted on detailed
plastic wheels.
At the front there are various details within the
casting and there are grilles formed by graphics.
The lights look good, and there is a nice Cat logo.
Access around the cab is textured and the metal
handrails are nice and thin.
The cab
is plastic with a plastic roof and there are wipers on the
windows. The mirrors are mounted on flexible
plastic stalks. The cab is detailed with the Cat logo on
the seat back, and the operator can be placed in the
seat.
The pivot point has got a convincing pair of armoured
hydraulic connections.
At the rear the lights are detailed nicely and the axle
and suspension bars look good too.
An optional plastic dummy load is provided, and it adds
an interesting display option.
Features
It rolls very smoothly with each wheel rotating
independently. The steering has a nice stiffness
and can reach a good angle. The suspension on the
rear axles is excellent with the complex linkages
engineered very well.
The dump bed raises smoothly and reaches a very good
angle. It will hold any intermediate pose.
The engine hood tilts forward and can pose tilted
although the angle is somewhat restricted. There
is a detailed engine underneath.
The cab can be tilted sideways to provide access to
equipment underneath. The movement is restricted
by the metal handrails, but some detailing can be seen.
The cab roof is removable allowing the operator
to be placed in, or removed from, the cab. This is
flexible arrangement allowing the model to be posed
working, or parked or carried on transport, with the
operator in the cab or out as appropriate.
Quality
It is a
robust and very good quality model with a high metal content.
The paint is
very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is good value as an overall package.
Overall
Diecast Masters have set a high standard for packaging,
and their models are reaching a similar standard.
The 745 is particularly good for its functionality, and
the ability to pose it with or without the operator is a
big plus point.
Footnotes
The model
was
released in November 2017.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Small grilles
at the front are graphics. |
 |
| Complex real
axle arrangement. |
 |
| Nice armoured
hydraulic hoses. |
|
|
 |
| Under the
tilting cab.
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| On the road. |
 |
| Unloading
rocks. |
|
