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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
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| Smooth body
shape. |
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| The metal
tracks are good. |
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| Main engine
cover is plastic. |
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| On the road. |
|
|
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| Maximum depth
of dig is disappointing. |
 |
| Mounted on a
Diecast masters hauler. |
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| Some nice
details. |
|
The Caterpillar 336 Hydraulic
Excavator - Next Generation weighs around 37 tonnes.
It is used for general earthmoving operations.
Packaging
The model comes in
the usual excellent 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. A
simple instruction sheet describes how the operator can
be inserted in the cab, and a tool is provided to help
with the task.
Detail
The undercarriage has a plastic
baseplate. The tracks are metal with triple
grouser shoes. They are mounted on decent track
frames without working rollers, and there are tiny graphics on each frame.
The cab has got plastic mirrors mounted on a metal grab
rail and the wiper is
integral with the cab
structure and barely visible. The
plastic roof has a window. Inside the
detail is very good with Cat on the seat back and side. An operator
wearing bright high visibility clothing can be fixed in
the cab.
The body casting has a slight off colour part behind the
cab, and the side grille is formed by feint graphics. The Cat graphics are very sharp
and there are some tiny warning signs with the rear
lights painted. On top, the
engine cover is plastic with a very good colour match to
the metal parts. There are very nice perforated steps
and the handrails are metal. The slewing motor is
modelled inside the well of the body and soft hydraulic
hoses can be seen.
Soft thin hydraulic lines run to the boom and silvered
connectors are modelled. More pipes and hoses run to the
stick and again the connectors are modelled. The
ram on top of the boom curves under load and does not
look good.
Rivets on the boom, stick and tools are painted
and there are small graphics on the stick. An unusual
modelling decision is that the boom and stick is formed
of two parts as expected, but rather than one part being
the underside, it is one of the sides. A visible
joint is therefore visible on one side of the model.
The metal bucket is a nice casting with sharp teeth.
Features
The tracks roll easily, and they are mounted on
spring-loaded idlers to maintain tension.
Rotation was stiffer than usual on the review model.
The boom and stick have a good range of movement, except
for digging at depth where the boom range is very
restricted with lots of piston visible on the boom rams.
The bucket movement is reasonably good.
The operator can be installed in the cab for when the
model is posed digging, or the cab can be empty to
represent the machine being parked up or transported.
Quality
It is a robust model with some plastic used.
The paint is good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
Once again for the Diecast Masters High Line
Series, it is beautifully packaged. But the model
has a couple of issues of detail and functionality which
are not up to the best standards.
Footnotes
The model became available in May 2019.
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|
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| Decent bucket. |
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| Plastic base
plate. |
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| Operator in the
cab. |
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|
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Joint line is visible between the castings and the top
ram jacket bends. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Looks good. |
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| Loading up. |
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| Poses well with
other models. |
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