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| Volvo style
windowed
box. |
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| Track frames
are detailed. |
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Hydraulic lines
on the boom sections. |
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| The tool. |
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| Two opening
flaps over the engine compartment. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Loaded on a
Nooteboom
Euro-99-24 low loader. |
|
The Volvo EC700CHR is a high reach
demolition machine which as modelled here has a 30m
boom. The machine has an operating weight in the
90 tonne class.
This model appears to have been directly procured from a
Chinese manufacturer and is unbranded as far as the
model maker is concerned. However it is listed
with a Motorart model number and so is included here as
a Motorart model.
Packaging
It comes in long Volvo branded box which has a window
allowing the model to be seen. The model is
contained between a pair of clear plastic formers and
the review model had no defects or missing parts.
There is no other information on the real machine included,
but a simple instruction sheet describes some of the
features of the model.
Detail
The metal tracks are mounted on good
track frames although there
are no working rollers. The main drive sprockets and
idlers look good.
The body is mostly metal with plastic hand rails.
Details within the casting are good with textured
walkways and grilles and panel handles. The
hydraulic lines at the boom foot are less convincing as
they are not separately detailed.
The cab is entirely plastic with very good interior
detail.
The boom sections are metal and the hydraulic pipes and
hoses are modelled well. Friction rivets have been
used to join the sections and these are unobtrusive.
The crusher has metal jaws.
Features
The tracks roll well smoothly but they are not mounted
on spring loaded sprockets so are awkward to remove.
The track frames are extendible so the model can be
posed realistically in transport or working mode.
The cab can be tilted although the mechanism is not
stiff so the review model was difficult to pose at a
steep angle.
Two opening hatches allow some access to the engine
compartment where there is a simply detailed engine.
The boom sections can be posed in a wide range of
positions and the cylinders are reasonably stiff with
the exception of the main lift cylinders which cannot
hold the weight. To get around this a small clip
is provided which clips on to one of the boom cylinders.
This is crude but effective although only one boom
position can be fixed. It spoils the look of the
model but as it only clips on one side the model can be
posed to hide the clip. It stands around 60cm
(2ft) high with the tool outstretched.
The tool has opening and closing jaws, but it does not
rotate.
Quality
The model is good quality but not to the best of current
standards.
The paintwork is satisfactory with some colour
variations, and the graphics are good.
Price
The model is reasonably priced considering it is quite
large.
Overall
This is a welcome addition to the Volvo model range, and
it is interesting that it has been procured directly
rather than through an established well known model
maker. The result is a good model with some nice
details and features and it has just enough going for it
to be highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model was first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair
2011 where it was displayed on the Motorart stand
although it is not a Motorart branded model.
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|
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Hydraulics are
moulded at the boom foot. |
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| The track
frames extended.
|
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| Plastic lines
across the pivot points. |
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| The special
spacer piece fitted to the main boom lift cylinder. |
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| At work with
the Volvo
EC460CLD in assistance. |
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| Falling object
protection on the cab. |
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| Big rig on the
move. |
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