 | | Caterpillar style box. |  |  | | The moldboard down. |  | | The Cranes Etc team member holds on to the grab rail to stop the grader running away.. |  | | The grader pivoted for steering. |  | | Oscillating rear wheels. |  | | Oscillating front axle. |
| The Caterpillar 140M is a 15 tonne motor grader with a standard 3.7m wide moldboard.
Packaging
As usual for Norscot Caterpillar models, it comes in a box with a window and releasing the model from the packaging does mean a fight with the strong ties used to fix the model to the base. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
There is no information about the real machine, but the box does describe the main features of the model.
Detail
The detail underneath is good with the main suspension components visible and the underside of the circle is particularly good with the inner teeth modelled well. The treaded rubber tyres are mounted on good hubs and if the wheel nuts had been painted grey they would have looked very authentic.
The cab has plastic grab rails and access ladders outside and although they look fine they are a little delicate. Detail inside the cab is reasonable with the joystick controls being modelled. The engine block looks good with grab rails and graphics adding interest including the fine grille pattern.
At the rear the ripper is metal and the five shanks have nice sharp teeth. The rivets are painted so they look unobtrusive.
The front end has the optional counterweight fitted and the drawbar and circle are modelled very well. The moldboard has rivet details on the blade.
Features
The front axle has very limited steering capability however it does have a significant ability to oscillate up and down. The rear wheels are in linked pairs and can also oscillate significantly.
The grader can steer across the pivot point behind the cab.
At the rear the ripper can be raised and lowered.
The moldboard has a full range of movement. It can be raised and lowered, and a small amount of side to side tilt is possible. It can also rotate on the circle, be extended to one side or the other, and have the face tilted forwards and backwards a little.
Quality
This is a good quality model and although plastic is used for detailing, this does not affect the visual appeal. Paintwork and graphics are crisp.
Price
The model is good value for money.
Overall
This motor grader is a pleasant model with a good balance of detail and functionality. It is easy to recommend.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2009.
|
| |
|  | | Travelling with the moldboard and ripper up. |  | | Underneath detail is reasonable, but the circle is good with the teeth being visible. |  | | Ripper down. |  | | The moldboard extended out to the side. |  | | Loaded on a Nooteboom Trailer. |  | | It displays well paired up with other machines such as the CAT 320D L. |
|
