 | | Box with window. |  |  | | The level of detail is relatively good for a Joal model. |  | | Stabiliser pads are down and it digs away. |  | | It goes well with other similar plant. Here it is with the JCB VM115 Roller. |  | | The bucket and shovel is removable. |
| This is a model of a fairly unusual machine which has some similarities with a conventional backhoe loader but has a fully rotational digging arm. Other interesting features are the 4 wheel drive and steering, and the loader at the front is telescopic. It is made by Haulotte although it is not marketed in the UK or the USA.
Packaging
Haulotte have adopted a consistent packaging style and this model therefore appears in a windowed box. The model itself is contained within a pair of interlocking clear formers and easily pops out. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
The box itself has no information about the real machine which is a pity, and as there is no assembly required there are no instructions for the model.
Detail
There is no detail underneath the model to speak of, however the chunky tyres are mounted on very nice metal hubs which have silvered fastening nuts. The chassis is fairly basic and has a pair of stabilisers with metal pads at the rear.
The body is well presented with grille detail within the castings, a mirror, exhaust pipe, and painted lights. The cab is detailed inside with the main controls visible but lacks windscreen wipers, grab rails and an orange beacon light on the outside.
The shovel arm at the front is simply detailed and pleasant with the metal shovel having good teeth. The digging arm is made up of a number of components which look fine although the rivets used are fairly obtrusive compared to the size of the other parts. The four tooth digging bucket looks fine.
Features
The two steering axles work well and a good lock can be obtained. The front axle is also floating so the model can be posed on an uneven surface.
Two stabilisers fold down and can hold their position.
The body rotates through 360°, and the digging arm articulates reasonably well to imitate the real machine, and the bucket can be unclipped. At the front the shovel arm telescopes well and the bucket tipping action is fine, although the bucket cannot be posed to replicate the height possible on the real machine so the model is only just able to load a truck. The shovel itself unclips simply.
Quality
All things considered this is a good quality effort from Joal. It is well made with a good level of detail and the paintwork is fine.
Price
This is a fairly small model but is very good value.
Overall
This is an interesting and unusual machine which has been well executed by Joal as a model and gives some confidence about this maker's abilities for the future. It would be nice if a future version of the model was supplied with a variety of accessories like the real MultiJob.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2007. A second version, model 216, has forks instead of a shovel. There is a website which describes the real machine and has some videos of it working; click here.
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|  | | Good steering mechanism. |  | | Stabiliser pads are down and it digs away. |  | | Nice detail on the wheel hub. |  | | With the bucket arm extended it can load a Volvo A40D - just. Of course this is not an efficient excavating combination. |
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