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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
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| Nice details at
the back. |
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| Underneath. |
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| Small graphics
on the track frame. |
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| Maximum depth
of dig is compromised. |
|
|
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| Hydraulic
hammer. |
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| Auger attached. |
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| Pivoting boom. |
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The Caterpillar 308 CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator weighs
around 18 tonnes.
It is used for smaller earthmoving and other applications.
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 is metal and the tracks are rubber.
They track
frames do not have working rollers, but a nice small
detail is the tiny graphics on each frame.
The dozing blade has got wear plate detailing and the
hydraulic ram has a protection cover on top.
The cab has got a plastic mirror and the grab
rail is modelled as a solid part of the cab frame.
Surprisingly there is no wiper visible. The
plastic roof has a window. Inside the
detail is very good with Cat on the seat back. An operator
wearing bright high visibility clothing can be fixed in
the cab.
The body casting has indented panels and the Cat graphics are very sharp
and there are some tiny warning signs with the rear
lights painted. Grilles are represented by
graphics. There is a plastic mirror on top, and
plastic grab rails on the side.
The boom and stick connections are made by painted
rivets. There is no hydraulic hose detailing
but a couple of sharp graphics add detail. The
quick connector at the end of the stick is plastic.
Four work tools are provided. A digging bucket and
grading bucket are metal parts. An auger
attachment has the auger modelled in plastic, and a
hydraulic hammer is also included.
Features
The rubber tracks are tight, but can be made to roll
with downward pressure on the model.
The blade moves up and down.
The boom, stick and bucket movements are compromised but
most normal poses can be achieved. The boom can
also be angled from side to side by a reasonable
amount.
The operator can be installed in the cab for when the
model is posed working, or the cab can be empty to
represent the machine being parked up or transported.
The four tools give a variety of display options.
They clip on to the connector fairly easily.
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
The Diecast Masters packaging and presentation is
excellent. The model is a nice representation of
the real machine with some compromises in the model
engineering and detailing, but the variety of tools
gives good flexibility.
Footnotes
The model became available in March 2019.
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|
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Overall look is
good. |
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| Rubber tracks.
Blade raised. |
|
|
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Simple detailing with no hydraulic hoses. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Grading bucket attached. |
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| Loaded on
transport together with a 309 CR. |
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