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High quality tin. |
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Bucket lift
height is restricted. |
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Decent steering
angle. |
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Figure in the
cab. |
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With a
Caterpillar 966M (on the left). |
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Pivot point. |
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At work. |
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The Caterpillar
972M Wheel Loader has an operating weight of 24.9 tonnes.
It is used for material handling and related quarry 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.
The only thing missing is information for the model, but a mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included.
Detail
Underneath, the model is metal with some detail although
the front driveshaft is missing and there are four black
screw heads visible which would have been better
painted.
The wheels are detailed with nice tyres with a matt
finish.
At the rear the grille is good and the lights and side
grilles are indicated by graphics. There is a tiny
Cat logo. The counterweight is larger than the
Caterpillar 966M.
The cab
is plastic and is detailed, considering the scale, with
wipers and silvered mirrors. There is a plastic grab
rail and inside there is an operator
wearing bright high visibility clothing. The
handrails are plastic and look good, and the walking
surfaces are textured.
Hydraulic ram pistons cross the pivot point.
The loader arm has the relatively large riveted connections
painted.
The metal bucket is a nice casting
with distinct teeth and wear plates on the lower edge.
It is larger than the bucket on the Cat 966M.
Features
It rolls very easily.
There is loose steering across the pivot point that
achieves an angle of about 45°.
The bucket achieves a good cut angle pose, and the carry
angle is reasonably good.
The height of lift for the bucket is restricted compared to the real
machine, and the tipping angle is restricted.
Quality
It is a strong small model with a high metal content.
The paint is good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
This is another nice 1:87 scale model from Diecast
Masters. It would look good on
a low loader in the same scale, or on a HO model railway
layout.
Footnotes
The model became available in January 2017.
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Detailed wheels
and nice tyres. |
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Hand rails are
plastic and thin. |
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It is simple
underneath. |
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Carrying rocks.
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Profile view. |
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