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Caterpillar 349F L XE Hydraulic Excavator

Maker:  Diecast Masters
Model No:  85943
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  October 2018


Diecast Masters Index
Earthmoving Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10) 9
Detail   (max 30) 24
Features   (max 20) 15
Quality   (max 25) 18
Price   (max 15) 10
Overall   (max 100) 76%

Footnotes


Caterpillar 349F L XE Hydraulic Excavator Video  [Youku video]
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Caterpillar branded tin.
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Smooth body shape.
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The metal tracks are good.
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Nice hydraulics.
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On the road.
 
Loading a road truck.
At work.
Some nice details.


The Caterpillar 349F L XE Hydraulic Excavator weighs around 50 tonnes.

It is used for larger earthmoving operations.

Packaging

The model comes in the usual 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, and a tool is provided to help with the task.

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 tiny graphics on each frame.

The cab has got a plastic mirror and the wiper is integral with the cab structure and barely visible.  There is a plastic grab rail and the plastic roof has a window.  Inside the detail is very good with Cat on the two-tone seatback.  An operator wearing bright high visibility clothing can be fixed in the cab, although the figure seems a little small for the scale. 

The body casting has the side grille formed by feint graphics, and some of the detail within the casting is obscured a little by thick paint.  The Cat graphics are very sharp and there are some tiny warning signs.    On top the engine cover is plastic with a very good colour match to the metal parts. There are very nice perforated steps and the handrails are plastic with the front ones being very soft.

Soft hydraulic lines run to the boom and silvered connectors are modelled. 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 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 short of boom movement when digging at depth.

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 some plastic used.

The paint is good and the graphics are sharp.

Price

It is reasonable value.

Overall

As usual for a model from the Diecast Masters High Line Series, it is beautifully packaged.  There is some nice detailing and most of the functionality is very good.  The removable operator gives more flexibility when displaying the model.

Footnotes

The model became available in September 2018.

 
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Decent height.
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Some detailing under the body.
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Operator in the cab.
 
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Decent bucket.
Profile view.
Looks good.
Decent load.