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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
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| Travelling. |
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| Underneath. |
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| Detailed cab. |
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| Opening cover. |
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| Opening panel. |
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| Cab elevated. |
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| Loading a
truck. |
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The Caterpillar MH3040 is a wheeled material handler
with an operating weight of around 39 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a large outer shipping carton Inside the box the model is held in
a tin protected by foam rubber.
The review model had no missing
parts or defects.
A separate operator is included and two plastic tools.
A simple instruction sheet and a Diecast Masters mini
brochure are also included.
Detail
The underside has drive shafts running to each axle and
other detailing is simple. The tyres are good and they
are mounted on detailed plastic wheels.
The stabiliser beams and pads are metal with some small
graphics applied, and there are hinged protection covers
for the ram pistons There is
a thick-set plastic access ladder on each side.
The body is metal and the many graphics are very sharp.
Grilles are described by applied graphics.
Handrails are thin metal.
The cab is detailed inside with nice controls and the
Cat logo on the seat back. An operator can be
installed in the cab if desired. On the outside the
protection grilles are plastic. The cab elevation
mechanism is modelled well
although there are no hydraulic hoses or cables.
The boom rams have hydraulic hoses detailed. Hydraulic
pipes on the boom are modelled in the casting and
hydraulic hoses run across the joints and to the rams.
The boom has lifting eye positions modelled but they are
without holes.
A four tine grab is fixed to the stick. It is a
metal part with some detailed graphics.
Features
The wheels roll, and there is shallow steering on one axle.
The stabilisers have pivoting pads, and they can be
raised and lowered with the stiff cylinders holding a
pose.
Rotation of the body is smooth.
The cab elevator goes to a reasonable height and holds
any pose.
The boom and stick hydraulics are stiff enough to hold
poses. However, the inward movement of the stick
is restricted meaning that it is not possible to set a
realistic transport pose.
The grab has individually movable tines and they will
hold a pose including gripping a load.
The cab door opens to around 90°.
Panel doors open on each side to allow engine detail to
be seen. An engine cover on top can also be
opened.
Quality
This is a nice model with a high metal content.
The paint finish is very good and the graphics
are sharp.
Price
It is relatively pricey for its size.
Overall
This is a good looking model of the MH3040, and the
detailing is to a high standard. There is a wide
range of functionality, although it is a pity that a
realistic transport configuration cannot be posed.
Footnotes
The model was available from January 2023.
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| Contents of the
tin. |
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| Large
semi-slick tyres. |
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| Grilles are
formed of graphics. |
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| Opening panel.
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| Profile view. |
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| Detailed top. |
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| Hydraulic hoses
across the joint. |
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| Good in a mini
diorama.. |
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