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Caterpillar
branded tin is in a dark colour scheme. |
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Realistic look. |
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Tiny graphics
on the frames. |
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Side grilles
are formed by graphics. |
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On site loading
a tipper. |
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Nice load. |
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On the road. |
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Nice detail on
top. |
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The Caterpillar 320 GX Hydraulic
Excavator is described by Caterpillar as an 'Economy'
machine, and when launched it was focussed on the
Chinese market.
It is used
for earthmoving, roadwork, and material handling operations.
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.
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.
Detail
The undercarriage is mainly metal with a metal
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 the wiper is formed
within the cab structure. There is a plastic grab rail
and a
plastic roof. Inside the
cab the detail is very good with Cat on the seatback. 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
formed grilles. There are textured walkway surfaces and
the handrails are plastic mirror.
Soft hydraulic lines run to the boom. More pipes and hoses run to the
stick. Rivets on the boom, stick and bucket are painted
and there are small graphics on the stick.
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.
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.
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 good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
The model is beautifully presented. It looks good with
small graphics adding detail, and the functionality is
also fine. It poses well with other models and
looks good as a transport load.
Footnotes
The model became available in January 2022.
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Contents of
the tin. |
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Curved body. |
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Operator placed
in the cab. |
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Thin hydraulic
hoses.
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Profile view. |
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Digging at
depth is a little short. |
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Paired with a
US truck. |
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Detail underneath. |
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