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Ruston Bucyrus 22RB Shovel

Maker:  EMD
Model No:  T001.1
Scale:  1:50
Review Date: 
December 2008

EMD Index
Historic Models Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)27
Features   (max 20)18
Quality   (max 25)22
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)86%

Footnotes


A blast from the past - the Ruston Bucyrus 22RB.
The box.
Click to visit the Bucyrus EMD website
The 22RB is relatively small compared to machines in today's world.
Chain drive on the tracks and rollers on the turntable.
Large pulleys at the boom head.
Underneath view showing the fuel tank.
The drive chains for the crowd mechanism can be seen within the body but they are non-functioning.
Engine visible through the sliding door opening.
The Bucyrus company has a long history of making construction machines of various sizes and these were made in the US under the Bucyrus Erie name, in the UK as Ruston Bucyrus and in Japan as Komatsu Bucyrus.

A programme of model development of the historic range of machines has been commenced by EMD and is planned to cover a large number of machines from small to large.

The first model to be made is the 22B Shovel, and this is reviewed here in the Ruston Bucyrus version denoted the 22RB.  This machine weighed around 20 tonnes and was provided with a ¾ yard dipper.

Packaging

The box has some old photos of the 22RB Shovel on the cover and it encloses expanded polystyrene trays which hold the model.  The model is protected by plastic sheeting and the tracks have a tight wrapping all of which protected it well and there were no defects or missing parts.

Two leaflets are supplied.  One is a small twelve page reprint of an original Ruston Bucyrus brochure and it includes interesting details and photos of the machine.  A second single page leaflet describes the operation of the model, but it does not mention the attachment of the separate walkways which simply clip on to each side of the body.

Detail

Although it is a bijou size, the 22RB is packed with detail and as a consequence it should be handled with some care.

The metal crawler tracks are very thin and nicely made, and although they do not replicate the design of the original (according to the brochure photos at least) they look very good.  The track frames are detailed with excellent spoked drive sprockets, with the only slight blemish being a small silver spring clip which contrasts with the green colour of the rest of the tracks.  On the inside of the track frames a set of drive chains are modelled and these look good although they are inevitably a little large for the scale.  Underneath the turntable platform the fuel tank is replicated, and the detail is very good around the turntable with the rollers reproduced.

The body is very high quality modelling with thin but delicate grab rails at the cab and at the rear.  Plastic walkway boards with a timber texture clip to each side of the body.  The casting of the body has some fine rivet details and effective grilles, with an exhaust on the roof.  At the back, the Ruston Bucyrus name is superbly rendered in the counterweight.

Internal details are excellent.  The cab has operating levers and a none too comfy looking pedestal seat.  Through the various opening doors a detailed diesel engine can be seen.

The boom, crowd and dipper are metal and are of the same high standard as the rest of the model.  Looking at the boom first there are fine gauge grab handles, and at the tip large spoked pulleys certainly look the part.  The dipper has nice teeth and good casting details and although some large headed rivets have been used they are darkened so do not look obtrusive.

Features

The crawler tracks rotate well, including the drive chains, and are spring loaded on the frames to facilitate removal.

The cab door slides open, as does a rear door, and on the opposite side two hinged doors open to provide access to the controls for the boom and dipper and this technique avoids having holes in the side of the body which may impair the look of the model.

All the main functions of the machine are replicated.  It rotates well, and, using a supplied key, the boom can be raised and lowered as can the dipper, and a control at the bottom of the boom allows the crowd mechanism to work and move the dipper in and out.  There is an internal ratchet mechanism which clicks when the key is turned and this ensures that any pose can be held.

The flap of the dipper also opens and it is spring loaded to maintain a closed position.

Quality

The finish of the model is very good with the Bucyrus colour scheme faithfully reproduced.  The level of detail is very high and there is a very sparing use of plastic.

Price

Although the model is small it is good value for the craftsmanship applied to its manufacture.

Overall

EMD have certainly hit the spot with this first new model in a historical series of Bucyrus machines.  The quality and detail is excellent, and the functionality is very good too.  Anyone interested in these older machines will be pleased with the model.  It would also be an interesting gift within a corporate environment.

Footnotes

The model first appeared in November 2008 in a run of 500 models. A version reflecting the American market, the 22B, appeared in October 2008 in a run of 2000 models.
 
The model inside the box. 
The parts taken out of the box.
Good rivet details on the body.
Excellent cab details reflect the primitive nature of the original compared to modern standards.
Raising the dipper.
Opening flap on the dipper.
Access to the controls for raising the boom and dipper.
The old girl gets a lift on a Nooteboom Pendel X 2-axle trailer.