 |
| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
 |
| Bucket is
fitted out of the tin. |
 |
| Metal tracks
and detail under the body. |
 |
| Operator
installed. |
 |
| Digging with
the clean-up bucket. |
|
|
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| Digging at
depth has moderate reach. |
 |
| Loading. |
 |
| Very good
detailing on top. |
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| Detailed
graphics. |
 |
| Grapple. |
|
The Caterpillar 323 Next Generation Hydraulic Excavator
weighs around 23 tonnes.
It is used
for earthmoving, roadwork, and material handling operations.
In addition to the standard bucket, this version of the
323 model includes 4 additional work tools described as
a clean up bucket, grapple, hammer and multi-processor.
Packaging
The model comes in 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 and work tools.
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 how the quick coupler is
used.
Detail
The undercarriage is mainly metal with a plastic
baseplate. The tracks are metal with triple
grouser shoes. They are mounted on decent track
frames with static rollers, and there are a couple of
tiny graphics on each frame.
The cab has got a plastic mirror and a separate wiper is
attached to the cab
structure. There is a metal grab rail and the
plastic roof has a window. Inside the
detail is very good with Cat on the seatback and also on
the left control console. An operator
wearing bright high visibility clothing can be fixed in
the cab.
The body casting represents the body shape very well and
the side grille is formed by graphics. The Cat
graphics are very sharp and there are some tiny warning
signs. On top the engine cover is plastic with
more graphics used as grilles. The colour match on
the engine cover is very good. There
are also two GPS equipment posts.
There are textured walkway surfaces and the handrails
are metal with a plastic mirror.
Soft hydraulic lines run to the boom and silvered
connectors are modelled. Cables to the work lights are
highlighted in black. More pipes and hoses run to the
stick and again the connectors are modelled. Rivets on the boom, stick and tools are painted
and there are small graphics on the stick. The quick
connector is plastic with an excellent colour match.
The metal bucket is a nice casting with sharp teeth.
The clean up bucket is an all metal piece and nicely
formed.
The grapple has a metal connector and plastic jaws which
have an excellent colour match. Tiny graphics add
detail.
The hammer is an all metal part with tiny graphics.
The multi-processor also is all metal and has tiny
graphics.
There are no hydraulic connections to the work tools.
Features
The tracks roll easily, and they are mounted on
spring-loaded idlers to maintain tension.
It rotates well.
The boom and stick have a good range of movement, and
the bucket movement is reasonably good too. It is
a little short of the movement possible by the real
machine at the extremes, particularly in depth of dig.
The quick coupler consists of plastic clips, which are
very tight on first use and the grapple in particular
was a tight fit on the review model.
Both the grapple and the multi-processor rotate and have
opening jaws.
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 a high metal content.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is good value.
Overall
The model is beautifully presented. It is a
further enhancement with the addition of the work tools
which make it an excellent flexible model to display.
Footnotes
The model became available in July 2020.
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|
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|
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| The parts out
of the tin. |
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| Cat Hex logos. |
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| Tiny graphics
on the track frames. |
|
|
 |
|
Highlighted cable runs to the worklight. |
 |
| Profile view. |
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| Stick and quick
coupler. |
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| Hammer. |
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| Loading. |
 |
| Multi-processor
at work. |
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| Very detailed
tool. |
|
