 | | CAT style box. |  |  | | Good detail around the cab. |  | | Painted lights at the rear. |  | | Oscillating chassis works well. |
| The CAT 906H Compact Wheel Loader is a small machine weighing under 6 tonnes (12,400lbs). It has a bucket capacity in the range of 0.75 to 1.2m³ (1.0 to 1.6yd³). In addition to buckets, the machine can be fitted with a wide choice of work tools including forks, augers and brooms.
Packaging
The model comes in a typical Caterpillar box style for scale model merchandise. It is windowed, with the model secured inside between clear plastic formers. As usual the model is tied to the cardboard base and care is needed to release the model without getting frustrated with the ties and inadvertently causing damage.
There is no information about the real machine and a replica brochure or details on the box would increase the promotional value and collectability of the model.
Detail
The model is small and as a consequence feels a little delicate.
Underneath there is a simple drive shaft to the front axle and the nature of the modelled connection restricts the steering linkage a little. Rubber wheels with a nice tread pattern are mounted on plastic hubs which have wheel nut details.
The cab structure is plastic, including the roof, but the detail level is good with windscreen wipers, lights, and mirrors. The cab doors have replica handles and hinges. Inside, the operator's station includes the joystick control which is a feature of the real machine.
The rear of the body is mainly metal, and has an exhaust pipe and a nice grille. At the back the lights are painted on, and there is a recovery hitch which is non functional. Just in front of the cab at the bottom is the steering cylinder which is connected to the front axle assembly.
The parallel lift z-bar loader mechanism is well replicated, with hydraulic hosing running to various cylinders and the bucket. The bucket itself is a nice matt black metal casting. A pleasing aspect of the loader mechanism is that rivets are painted and hence a realistic look is obtained.
Features
The steering mechanism works quite well although the stiffness of the front axle drive shaft tends to mean that it springs the steering back to a fairly straight line pose.
The chassis is oscillating and this means the two axles can be in very different planes and this aspect is modelled well.
The bucket lifts to a very high angle, perhaps even a little higher than the real machine, and the bucket tips reasonably effectively.
Quality
This is a nice little model with a good balance of detail and quality. The paintwork and graphics are all fine too.
Price
The model is small and relatively inexpensive and so represents good value.
Overall
Overall, collectors of Caterpillar equipment are likely to be pleased with this model. The quality of manufacture is good, with enough detail to make it interesting. Some additional work tools would have been a nice addition, but even with just the standard bucket it looks good on display.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2008.
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|  | | Steering posed at the maximum amount without being held. It can steer wider, but springs back. |  | | Bucket tips at a good height. |  | | Underside view. |  | | It would be crushed by a CAT 797F Mining Truck. |
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