 |
| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
 |
| Huge bucket. |
 |
| Additional
detailing under the body. |
 |
| Door hinges and
opening panels fit reasonably
well.. |
 |
| Detailed lights
on the boom. |
|
|
 |
| Nice tracks. |
 |
| Very detailed
inside. |
 |
| Big
counterweight. |
 |
| Digging at
depth. |
 |
| Opening doors
and panels |
 |
| Engine cover
open. |
|
The Caterpillar 395 Hydraulic Excavator weighs around 94 tonnes.
This model is the ME (Mass Excavation) version.
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 defects or missing parts.
A
simple instruction sheet describes how the operator can
be inserted in the cab, and a tool is provided to help
with the task. A pointer is included to open
doors, and spare screws to attach the bucket are
provided.
Detail
The undercarriage has a plastic base plate, and
the underside of the body is unusually detailed, with
bolt head highlighting and small graphics. The track frames are
reasonably detailed, but without working rollers.
The metal crawler tracks have decent track pads with
bolt head detailing.
The cab has got mirrors and lights, and a plastic
roof and windscreen guard. Inside, the seat has a
logo on it. The optionally fitted operator wears bright high visibility clothing.
There are metal textured walkways on the sides and
the body details include highlighted panel handles and
grilles indicated by graphics . The grab rails and ladders are
metal. There are some small warning sign graphics. Hinges
on the panel doors are reasonably discrete and the fit
of opening doors was very good on the review model.
The counterweight has solid lifting eyes.
On top there is black highlighting of rivet head
locations.
Soft hydraulic lines run to the boom foot, and silver
connectors are modelled. Cast-in pipes run to the cylinders on the boom and
stick. Connection pins on the boom and stick are
painted. The boom has lights with black
highlighted cables running to them.
The large metal mass excavation bucket is a detailed
casting with good wear plates and teeth. It is
fixed to the stick with black screws.
Features
The tracks are spring loaded for tension, and they
roll very easily.
It rotates well very smoothly.
The boom
can
be fully lowered for digging at depth, but the boom is
restricted in upward movement compared to the real
machine. The stick and bucket have a good
range of movement.
The bucket is removable by undoing four screws.
There
are two opening doorways, and three opening side panels
to the engine. The opening angles are somewhat
restricted. There are various engine details
visible inside. On top. an
engine cover stays open.
The cab door opens to a restricted angle.
Quality
It is a robust model with relatively little plastic used.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is fully priced for a large excavator.
Overall
This version of a large ME excavator by Diecast Masters
has improvements and additional features compared to
previous models. The removable bucket allows
different attachments to be added in future.
Footnotes
The model became available in June 2023.
|
|
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|
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| Parts out of
the tin. |
 |
| Detailed body. |
 |
| Operator in the
cab. |
|
|
 |
|
Grilles are formed of graphics. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Handrails are
metal. |
 |
| Wear plate
detailing. |
 |
| |
 |
| Removable
bucket. |
 |
| Radiators. |
|
