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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
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| Angled boom. |
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| Tiny graphics
on the track frame. |
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| Nice cab
details. |
|
|
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| Digging at
depth. |
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| Size compared
to the Cat 308 and 309. |
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| Simple
hydraulics detailing. |
|
The Caterpillar 301.7 CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator weighs
around 1.8 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
open cab has got plastic mirrors and the grab
rail is modelled as a solid part of the cab frame. 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 with the rear
lights painted. Grilles are represented by
graphics.
The boom and stick connections are made by
painted rivets. The hydraulic rams look a
little thick. There is no hydraulic hose detailing
but there is a Cat graphic adding detail. The
quick connector at the end of the stick is plastic.
Three work tools are provided. A digging bucket and
grading bucket are metal parts. A small hydraulic
hammer is metal, and a plastic auger is also included.
Features
The rubber tracks are tight, but can be made to roll
by hand.
The blade moves down significantly, but upward movement
is limited.
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. The
auger is long part and the boom and stick cannot be
raised high enough for it to hang vertically.
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. This is a very small model in 1:50
scale but it looks convincing.
Footnotes
The model became available in May 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. |
|
|
 |
|
Grading bucket fitted. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Hammer attached. |
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| Auger attached.
It is too long to mount properly so the machine is on a
work platform. |
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