 |
| Volvo
windowed
box. |
 |
 |
| Mirror frames
are thin flexible plastic. |
 |
| Maximum
steering angle. |
 |
| Handrails are
thin soft plastic and one is leaning over. |
 |
| Small graphics
on the dump body. |
 |
| Hauling rocks. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Impressive
large ADT. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Volvo A40F is an articulated hauler with an unloaded
weight of 31 tonnes and it is capable of carrying a
payload of 39 tonnes giving a total weight of 70 tonnes.
The real A40F won a reddot design award in 2012 and this
is declared on the model box.
Packaging
The packaging is a windowed Volvo-branded box with a
good photo of the real machine on the back. The model is
contained between a pair of clear plastic formers.
There were no missing parts on the review
model. One plastic handrail was leaning over,
probably due to careless gluing on the review model.
There is no information included about the real machine
or model.
Detail
The chassis of the dump truck looks good with metal
transmission components at the rear, and at the front the detailing
is a little simpler. The oscillating rear axle
mechanism is modelled but is not functional.
However the rubber tyres look
very nice and they are mounted on detailed wheels which
are composite with very good metal exteriors, and
plastic interiors.
The shape of the front of the machine is captured well
and the lights have nice small plastic lenses.
There is a tiny Volvo badge on the front. Under
the engine cover is a detailed plastic engine with
different coloured components.
The cab looks good although the quality of the plastic
mouldings used for the handrails and mirrors is not the
best. A nice touch is the textured surfaces on the
steps to the cab.
Behind the cab the exhaust system looks good and a
hydraulic hose crosses the pivot point.
The dump body is modelled well with some small graphics
to add detail. On the review model there was a
small but perceptible difference in the paint colour on the
inside faces compared to the rest of the model. The red
stoplights at the rear are nicely painted and there is a
reversing light too.
Features
The wheels roll easily.
Steering at the pivot point is good with reasonably
stiff rams but, compared to the real machine, a reduced
angle is obtainable. A
degree of rotation is possible at the pivot point.
At the front the engine cover opens up and a separate
part folds forward.
The tipping angle of the body is unfortunately
restricted to around 45º which appears to be due to
poor detailing of the hinge connection.
Quality
The model has a high metal
content but the grade of some of the plastic parts is not high
quality.
The paint is good, if not consistent, but the graphics
are sharp.
Price
The price is a touch on the high side for the quality offered.
Overall
This is a nice enough model of the A40F and it is only a
pity that the tipping angle of the body is restricted.
However the detailing is good and it is a recommended
model to Volvo collectors.
Footnotes
The model appeared in September
2013.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Overall look is
good. |
 |
| Tyres are good. |
 |
| View
underneath. |
 |
| Detailed
engine. |
|
|
 |
| Maximum tipping
angle. |
 |
| It makes a
good load on a
Doll
trailer. |
 |
| On the road. |
|
