 | | CAT style box. |  |  | | Rear profile. |  | | More good detail on the boom and stick. |  | | Good quality tracks. |  | | Quick hitch connection on the bucket. The colour match is a bit off with the rest of the model. |  | | Being carried on a Nooteboom Low Loader. The quick hitch allows the bucket to be removed and the stick to be tucked into the well in the low loader to lower the boom height. |
| The CAT 336D L is a larger excavator weighing 36 tonnes. As a larger machine it has particular application on projects needing high productivity.
Packaging
The model is packed in a usual Caterpillar-style box and as usual it is tied to the packaging. In this case four ties are used and it was a bit of a struggle to remove them. 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
Underneath, the undercarriage is marked Norscot 55199 which was the previous 330D hydraulic excavator model. The track frames are simple with no moving rollers but they look good enough. The tracks themselves are metal and nicely made.
The body casting has some good detailing with grilles produced well and the lifting eyes for the counterweight are properly formed. The cab is fairly simply detailed with a plastic mirror and grab rail on the outside, and basic controls internally. Opposite the cab there are some steps and a rather thick metal handrail. On top of the body the engine cover is plastic and this allows some fine detailing.
Both the boom and the stick have some very nice hydraulic line detailing within the casting, and there are plenty of plastic lines running from the base of the boom into the body. There are also authentic looking plastic hydraulic pipes on to the main cylinders.
The connection to the bucket is of the quick hitch variety and is plastic and unfortunately the colour match to the rest of the model is off so it stands out somewhat. The bucket is a pleasing casting with good teeth and anti wear plates on the sides.
Features
The tracks roll very smoothly, and are spring loaded for easy removal.
Both the boom and stick have a good range of movement and the cylinders are stiff enough to hold any pose desired. The range of bucket movement is good also.
The quick hitch mechanism works well.
Quality
The model is solidly made with good casting, and the paintwork and graphics are crisp enough. Plastic is used appropriately and effectively for the most part.
Price
The model is reasonably priced and the weight of the model indicates that there is a lot of metal for the money.
Overall
This is an updating of an earlier model with new graphics, and the quick hitch facility gives flexibility which would have been better exploited in the model if a couple of tools had been provided with it. A hydraulic hammer would have been a nice addition. It is a recommended model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2009.
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|  | | Hydraulic hosing on the boom and stick. |  | | Good hydraulic lines. |  | | The bucket can be raised to a good height. |  | | Fine details on the body. |  | | Loading an East Dump Truck. |
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