 |
| Large Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
 |
| Chassis is
detailed. |
 |
| Steering angle
is moderate, |
|
|
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| Rear axle
detail is excellent. |
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| Two stage hoist
rams. |
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| Excellent
tipping angle. |
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| Loaded. |
 |
| Being loaded by
a Caterpillar 994.. |
|
The Caterpillar 797F Tier 4
Mining Truck has a payload of 400 US tons. It is used for large quarry operations.
Packaging
The model comes in the usual exemplary packaging. There is
an outer shipping carton which contains a tin which is
protected by expanded polystyrene trays. The tin is high quality
and includes pictures and details about the real
machine.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
A 2019 mini brochure of the Diecast Masters range is
included.
Detail
This is a large heavy model weighing around 3.5kg.
The chassis construction is heavy with some nice
detailing. The
drive train is replicated and there are various cables and
pipes modelled. The steering cylinders are also
replicated Some of the detailed modelling is in plastic, including the engine block, but
the colour match is very good.
The large wheels are detailed with tiny nut details.
The tyres are particularly nice with a realistic matt
finish and a detailed tread pattern.
The front of the truck has a plastic radiator grille and
the access stairs and ladders are plastic,
but the handrails are metal and realistically thin.
There are two towing points and wheel chocks.
Many smaller details such as lights enhance the
appearance.
The cab deck is fully textured to resemble a non-slip walking
route and there is a detailed exhaust treatment system.
The cab is metal with grab rails, and lifting eyes
on the roof. Inside, the seats and controls are visible,
and an operator is permanently installed.
There is a load indicator on the side of the cab showing
'400' to represent 400 US tons. Large mirrors on each side of the
truck are plastic.
Between the wheels are large boxes and tanks which are
modelled in plastic but with an excellent colour match.
Highlighting improves the detailing. Below the
dump body the top of the chassis also has many details with
various tanks and pipes modelled, including some
connectors. Two large two-stage hydraulic
pistons lift the dump body, with the centre stage being
grey plastic.
The dump body is a large metal casting with some plastic
elements but the colour match is very good so it hardly notices.
Sharp graphics are along the edges.
At
the rear end a couple of bars hang down between the rear
pairs of tyres to clear out trapped material and a pair
of safety cables which are used to hold the dump body upright
during servicing are modelled. The detailing at the
back is excellent including detailed graphics on the
suspension cylinders and intricate highlighting of the
rear axle.
Features
The front wheels steer although the range of movement is
less than the real truck achieves.
The rear axle suspension works.
The dump body tilts well to an excellent angle which may
even exceeds the real truck, and the cylinders
are stiff enough to hold the body at any angle.
At the front the access stairs at the bottom fold down to
enable an operator to board the truck.
On the cab deck two access flaps can be opened to enable the
engine to be seen. The engine has more highlighted
detailing.
Quality
It is a very good quality model with a high metal content.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is a very large model which is fully priced.
Overall
It has been many years for an upgraded 797 to appear,
and this model has had a focus on improved detailing.
It is very impressive model which is excellently
packaged.
Footnotes
The model was announced at the Nuremberg Toy
Fair in 2020 and was released in August 2020.
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|
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| Impressive
detailed front. |
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|
Access stair can be lowered. |
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| Detail
equipment box. |
|
|
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| Nice matt
finish on the tyres.
|
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| Profile view. |
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| Opening engine
covers. |
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| In the mine. |
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| Poses well with
other models. |
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