 | | Volvo style windowed box. |  |  | | Wheels and outriggers look realistic. |  | | No mirror and interior detail is simple. |  | | Opening cover shows well detailed engine. |  | | Quick connector for the bucket is non-functional. |  | | Rear outriggers cannot raise the wheels off the ground. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Front blade acting as a stabiliser. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Volvo EW180E is a wheeled excavator with an operating weight up to 21 tonnes.
Packaging
The packaging is a Volvo-branded outer box enclosing clear plastic trays and there is a window allowing the model to be seen.
There were no missing parts or manufacturing defects on the review model.
There is no information about the real machine other than a photo of it on the back of the box, and there is no information for the model.
Detail
The undercarriage has the transmission detailed in plastic but there is no steering mechanism modelled. The wheels and tyres look good.
The outriggers are modelled in metal and include nice protection plates which cover the pistons. The front blade also has a protection plate and the overall look is enhanced with painted rivet heads.
Detailing of the cab is simple with the joysticks not modelled. On the outside, the grab rail is thin metal but there is no mirror. However the beacon light looks realistic.
The casting of the body is very good with nice texturing of the side grille. The Volvo name on the counterweight is embossed and the panel handles are delicately painted. Small graphics add to the appearance. Handrails are metal.
Under the engine cover is a nicely painted engine.
Plastic hydraulic hoses run up the boom and across to the stick and they look good. The main boom hydraulic rams also have hoses. The connection pins are discrete and a little unusual as they are hollow.
The quick hitch on the stick is modelled but not functional, and the bucket is a nice metal casting.
Features
The wheels roll easily, but there is no steering or oscillating axle.
The rear outriggers lower but have limited reach so they cannot raise the model off its tyres.
The dozing blade raises and lowers and can hold the front axle off the ground.
The body rotates very smoothly.
An opening engine cover reveals the engine.
The boom, stick and bucket movement is moderate with the rams being stiff enough to hold any pose. The main cylinder rams have a restricted range of movement preventing the boom being positioned digging at maximum depth.
Quality
The quality is very good, with a high metal content.
The graphics and paint are very good.
Price
The price is a little high for a wheeled excavator.
Overall
This is a nice quality model with generally good detailing. In terms of functionality it would have been better to have a steering axle.
Footnotes
This model was a 2015 release.
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|  | | Overall look is good. |  | | Detailing underneath. |  | | Small graphics and metal handrails are very good. |  | | Hydraulic lines and unusual hollow pins. |  | | Reasonable reach. | |
|  | | Loading up. |
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