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Caterpillar 323 GX Hydraulic Excavator

Maker:  Diecast Masters
Model No:  85675
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  February 2022


Diecast Masters Index
Earthmoving Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 9
Detail   (max 30) 25
Features   (max 20) 15
Quality   (max 25) 19
Price   (max 15) 11
Overall   (max 100) 79%

Footnotes


Caterpillar 320 GX and 323 GX Hydraulic Excavators Video  
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Caterpillar branded tin is in a dark colour scheme.
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Reaching out.
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Nice detail on top.
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Detailed hydraulics.
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On site loading a tipper.
 
Nice load.
On the road.
Detailed bucket.

The Caterpillar 323 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 packaged in its presenation tin.  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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Looks realistic.
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Narrow tracks.
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Detailed tracks.
 
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Underneath.
Profile view.
Digging at depth is a little short.
Paired with a US truck.