 |
| 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. |
|
