 | | Unusual Caterpillar style box. |  |  | | Control levers for the backhoe are crude. |  | | No detail underneath. |  | | Backhoe movement is reasonable. |
| The Caterpillar 416 Backhoe Loader was introduced in 1985 and was in production until 1992. It is estimated that around 16,000 machines were produced.
Packaging
The packaging is in a different box style reflecting that this is not a current machine and also is not part of the usual historic machine series of models. Unusually it has windows on all sides so it is see-through. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
The box has no information about the real machine, but there is some text about the model.
Detail
This is a heavy model of mainly metal construction. Underneath there is no attempt at detail, but the wheels are better. The tyres are rubber with a decent tread and the hubs have the wheel nuts detailed.
The open cab is simple with some detail on the plastic dashboard but the backhoe control levers are as basic as you are ever likely to see as they are just upright yellow cylinders. The roof has painted lights front and rear.
At the rear the backhoe and stabilisers have a reasonable structure but there is no finer detailing.
The engine block has crude black plastic inserts rather than any detail and the loader mechanism is reasonable with the bucket being a thickly made casting.
Features
The wheels share common axles and there is no steering.
The stabiliser pads can be lowered although they cannot hold the rear wheels off the ground.
The backhoe arrangement offers reasonable movement although it cannot fold completely flat to the rear for transport. The loader has a good range of movement and the cylinders are stiff enough to hold any pose.
Quality
This is not a high quality model and has been made to basic standards compared to current models. The paintwork and graphics are good.
Price
It is relatively expensive which likely reflects the significant metal content at 1:32 scale.
Overall
This is a basic and simple model. The larger scale could have permitted some enhanced detail but in fact it is rather less detailed than might be expected. It is however a strong model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the end of 2010. The 416 was modelled by NZG in 1:50 scale as model numbers NZG 285 and 387.
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|  | | Bucket casting is not refined. |  | | Backhoe folded up. |  | | Loader mechanism reaches high. |  | | Profile view. |
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