 | | CAT style box. |  |  | | Rear end with fine mesh on the body represented well. |  | | The front axle. |  | | Cab details. |  | | Angled moldboard. |
| The Caterpillar 14M Motor Grader is a 21 tonne machine and has a moldboard which is 4.3m (14ft) wide.
Packaging
The model comes in a typical Caterpillar box style with a window and is held inside between clear plastic formers. As usual, ties secure the model to the cardboard base and care is needed to release them.
There is no information about the real machine provided with the model and it is a pity that at least the box panels are not used to convey such details.
Detail
The tyres are chunky and have a heavy tread pattern although they are perhaps slightly thin and a little too shiny. They are mounted on detailed hubs but again they look a little shallow. The overall effect is fine though.
Detail under the body is good with the transmission drive to the rear axles modelled. The operator's cab has windscreen wipers and lights, but there are no mirrors and the beacon light on the roof is fairly crudely painted. The interior is modelled well with the main controls visible. Grab rails are plastic.
The engine block is a nice metal piece, with a very good representation of fine mesh grilles, and the other details such as rivets are also very good. At the rear is a ripper assembly and this is modelled reasonably well with decent sharp tines.
At the front the structure is good with the moldboard mechanisms rendered well, and the front axle assembly is convincing.
Features
The front axle steers and a degree of oscillation of the axle possible.
The rear axles are also connected as pairs and they can oscillate too. There is a pivot point just behind the cab separating the front and rear of the grader and this allows articulation to an angle of about 20°, which is true to the original.
A range of moldboard functionality is provided. The circle rotates, and can be raised and lowered. The moldboard can be offset at an angle, and also tilts front and back.
Quality
The quality is good with some plastic used, and the paintwork and graphics are fine.
Price
It is priced very reasonably so represents good value.
Overall
This model is a good representation of a grader with enough detail and functionality to be attractive to collectors. It lacks some of the finer details but nonetheless is recommended.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2007.
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|  | | The grader travelling. |  | | Ripper down and engaged trying to tear the Cranes Etc 'rock'. |  | | The moldboard down and extended to the side. |  | | Rear wheels are mounted on an oscillating frame. |  | | Riding a Nooteboom Euro Loader. |
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