 |
| JCB branded
box. |
 |
 |
| The 'Contractor'
version has vertical action outriggers and a side shift
backhoe mount.
|
 |
| Very good
shovel lifting height. |
 |
| Controls inside
the cab. |
 |
| The side shift
on the backhoe mount is visible. |
 |
| The backhoe
bucket is removable. |
|
This model is the 'Contractor'
version of the JCB 3CX and has a
backhoe with a side shift mounting and vertical outriggers. The real
machine has an operating weight of around eight tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a large JCB branded box and it is
held within an expanded polystyrene tray. There
were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information about the real machine, but the
box has a photo of the JCB 3CX. The model is complete out of the box
with no assembly or parts to fit.
Detail
As the model is 1:25 scale it is relatively large and as
it is mainly metal it has a heavy and robust feel.
There is no detail underneath to speak of but the rubber
tyres are good with a heavy realistic tread and they are
mounted on metal hubs.
The cab has good looking window frames with door hinges being
detailed although grab rails and mirrors have not been
modelled which at least helps maintain robustness.
Inside, the seat has JCB imprinted on the back although
it seems to sit rather high compared to the steering
wheel. Other controls are replicated and the
console has detailed dials. Windscreen wipers and
spotlights are represented by graphics, but there is a
nice orange beacon light on the roof.
At the rear the backhoe is modelled well with some
detail formed within the castings, and the graphics are
crisp. The hydraulic cylinder jackets are plastic
and there are no hydraulic lines modelled. The
backhoe connection is also plastic but the colour match
is slightly off so can be noticed. The bucket is a nice
metal casting, and the outrigger legs are metal, but the pads
are plastic.
The engine cover looks good and there is a plastic
exhaust pipe. The loader arm linkages are well
formed and the metal shovel is fine too with only the
rivets being a little obtrusive as they stand out from
the black paint.
Features
The front axle steers well and it has a degree of float
to allow travel over rough ground. Both rear
wheels share a common axle.
The outriggers pull down and are stiff enough to support
the model off its rear wheels.
The backhoe rotates almost 180° and also moves side to side
between the outriggers. The range of movement on the boom and
dipper is very good and the extending dipper works well.
The bucket movement is also good, and it is removable,
albeit it takes some prising to get it off.
The loader mechanism lifts to a good height, the shovel
tips well and it has a functioning clam mechanism.
The shovel can be unclipped (although it is stiff) and
this allows a pair of forks to be folded forward to lift
pallets.
Quality
This is a good quality model and most of it is metal.
It is painted well and the graphics are sharp.
Price
In 1:25 scale this is a big model so there is plenty of
metal provided for the money.
Overall
In many respects this is a typical Joal model. It
is solid and robust but less detailed than models from
other makers. In 1:25 scale the model looks good
and is recommended.
Footnotes
There is another version of the model which is
Joal 299,
the 'Centremount' version with inclined outriggers and
centre mounted backhoe.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
| Travelling with
the shovel up. Nice tyres, but the rivets on the shovel are a
little obtrusive. |
 |
| Underneath the
model. |
 |
| Digging with
the telescopic dipper extended.
|
 |
| The outriggers
can keep the machine raised off the deck. |
 |
|
Forks can fold over and be used. |
 |
| Opening clam on
the shovel. |
 |
| Compact for
driving along the road. |
|
