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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
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| A low headroom
machine. |
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| Underneath. |
|
|
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| Detailed
steering pivot. |
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| Textured
surfaces. |
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| Reasonable
tipping anglel. |
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| Ram jackets
have an excellent colour match. |
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| Empty. |
 |
| Load tipped. |
|
The Caterpillar AD45 has a payload capacity of 45 tonnes. It is
a low headroom machine which is specially designed for
underground
operations.
Packaging
The packaging is of a high standard. An outer shipping carton 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.
An instruction sheet for fitting the operator is
included, as is a leaflet about new Diecast Masters
releases.
Detail
The underside has some detailing within the plastic
baseplate. The tyres have a good tread pattern and they
are mounted on plastic wheels with a detailed outside face and
the inside faces are also detailed.
At the front the radiator grille is plastic, and the
towing hitch has a painted pin. The handrails are
metal.
The air intake and exhaust system are plastic with
an excellent colour match.
The cab windows have nice black seals and inside the cab
an operator can be added. Behind the cab there are
textured walking surfaces.
Detail at the pivot point is very good with hoses and
cables cross the pivot point. There is a red
locking bar for the steering.
The dump body is fairly simple with sharp graphics. At
the rear there are painted lights and a detailed towing
hitch.
A plastic insert is provided for the dump body which
replicates a load, and it provides an
alternative way to pose the model.
Features
It rolls very smoothly on the big wheels. Steering
across the pivot point is very good.
The locking bar can be clipped although it hangs loosely
when not clipped.
The dump bed raises to a reasonable angle with the load
floor at about 45°, which is perhaps a little short of the real machine.
The load insert can be added, or left off.
The operator can be fitted, or left out for posing in a
transport situation.
Quality
It is a well presented and well made.
The paint and graphics are very good.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
This is a solid replica with nice detailing. The
functionality is also of a good standard. It pairs
well with a matching mining loader and also makes a good
heavy haulage load.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in early 2025.
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|
 |
|
|
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| Oiut of the
box. |
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| Decent steering
angles can be posed. |
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| Metal
handrails. |
|
|
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| Strong tyre
tread pattern.
|
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| Profile view. |
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| Plastic grille. |
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| Looaded. |
 |
| Being loaded by
a R2900 XE. |
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| At work |
|
