 | | The large Komatsu branded box. |  |  | | Narrow mining tracks. |  | | Good teeth on the bucket. |  | | Boom detailing is simple. |  | | Large track frames. |  | | Access ladder down. |  | | Heavy metal. |  | | It provides interesting poses. |
|  Comment on this model.
The Komatsu PC3000 Backhoe is usually used in mining and quarrying operations and has a bucket capacity of up to 15m³. It has an operating weight of around 250 tonnes and is typically matched with mining trucks in the range 75 - 150 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a large Komatsu branded box containing two trays. There were no missing parts on the review model but one of the cabinets on the roof was loose and had to be re-glued.
There is some information about the real machine on the box side, but nothing about the model.
Detail
The metal track pads have got a detailed pattern cast in and they are mounted on track frames which have working rollers on the top and bottom of the frames. The undercarriage detailing is at a simple level.
The body is a very heavy metal casting with large distinctive grilles. The hand rails and ladders are nearly all metal and very strong, although they look a bit fat for the scale. There are a couple of lights under the cab, with sharp Komatsu graphics all around. Up on top there are some textured walkway surfaces and the equipment boxes are relatively simple.
The large cab is metal, the windows are slightly tinted and there are mirrors and wipers. Inside the controls and driving seat are modelled as well as a rear seat.
The boom is made from a heavy metal casting. There are hydraulic pipes cast in the top surface and rubber hydraulic lines connect to the body. The hydraulic cylinder jackets are plastic and the colour match is a little off. The arm is fairly simple and the rivets used at connections are unobtrusive.
The bucket is all metal with good teeth.
Features
The tracks roll surprisingly well when moved by hand, and will roll on a rough surface. They are tensioned with spring-loaded idlers.
The model rotates although the mechanism is stiff.
The access ladder can be folded down, and can be pinned in the 'up' position.
Movement of the boom, arm and bucket is good and the cylinders are stiff enough to hold most poses.
Quality
This is a very heavy solid-feeling model with little plastic.
The paintwork is reasonable with a couple of minor areas of poor finish. The graphics are very good.
Price
This is a larger model with a high metal content so the price is reasonable.
Overall
It looks reasonably impressive because of its size although the detail level is a little dated by modern standards. It is recommended for collectors of mining equipment.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in this variant in the Summer 2006 NZG catalogue.
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|  | | Imposing at rest. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Large grilles. |  | | Fairly chunky metal handrails. |  | | Cab is good, with lights underneath. |  | | Big bucket. |  | | View underneath reveals simple detail. |  | | Loading a Caterpillar 785D. |
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