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Caterpillar 982 XE Wheel Loader

Maker:  Diecast Masters
Model No:  85685
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  September 2023


Diecast Masters Index
Earthworks Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 9
Detail   (max 30) 24
Features   (max 20) 16
Quality   (max 25) 21
Price   (max 15) 9
Overall   (max 100) 78%

Footnotes


Caterpillar 980 and 982 XE Wheel Loaders Video  
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Caterpillar branded tin.
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Looks good.
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Moderate steering angle.
  
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Big counterweight at the rear.
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Grilles are graphics.
Large bucket.
At work.
Easily loads a dump truck.

The Caterpillar 982 XE is a mid sized wheel loader.  It weighs around 35 tonnes.

Packaging

The model comes in the usual High Line Series 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.

Detail

The underside has some detailing with the transmission modelled. The tyres have a good tread pattern and they are mounted on wheels which have silvered bolts as a highlight.

At the rear the radiator bears the Cat logo and the handrails around the cab are metal.  The counterweight is larger than than the 980 version of the model.  The rear side grilles are formed by graphics.  The exhaust stack is plastic.

The cab is detailed with plastic silvered mirrors.  There is a fixed operator in the cab and there are joystick controls. 

Detail at the pivot point includes the steering rams, and there are some small graphics which add to the appearance.  However, there are no hydraulic hoses visible.   At the front there are lights with indicators mounted on plastic stalks.

The hydraulic rams have plastic piston jackets with no hydraulic hoses.

The loader arms are simple and the connection rivets are painted.

The bucket is a metal casting with a straight leading edge. 

Features

It rolls very smoothly.  There is significant oscillation of the rear axle which is a bit too loose as a result.

Steering across the pivot point achieves a moderate angle which is less than the real machine achieves.

The bucket has a good carry angle which is pleasing to see.  The lift height is reasonable as is the tipping angle. 

Quality

It is a nice quality model.

The paintwork is very good and the graphics are sharp.

Price

It is fully priced.

Overall

This is another in the series of Caterpillar Wheel Loader models and it is of a similar standard.  The operator is fixed in the cab which limits the flexibility as a transport load.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2023 and was shipped from June 2023. 

 
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Travelling.
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Decent carry height.
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Underneath.
 
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Operator is fixed in the cab.
Profile view.
Pivot point.