 |
| The large
Komatsu branded
box. |
 |
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| Narrow mining tracks. |
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| Track frames
have working rollers. |
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| Sharp Celtic
Energy graphics. |
 |
| It is certainly
strongly made. |
 |
| Heavy
construction. |
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| Massive
grilles. |
 |
| Loaded with
rocks. |
 |
| Loading a
Caterpillar 785D. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Komatsu PC3000 Front Shovel
is usually used in mining and quarrying operations and
has a shovel capacity of up to 16m³. It has an
operating weight of around 250 tonnes and is
typically matched with mining trucks in the range 75 -
150 tonnes.
This model is in the colours of
Celtic
Energy, a coal producer in South Wales which sells over
one million tonnes of coal per year.
Packaging
The model comes in a large Komatsu branded
box containing two trays. There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
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, and the
Celtic Energy graphics around the body are very sharp.
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 reasonable. The arm is fairly simple with
some more rubber hoses on top. The rivets used at
connections are unobtrusive.
The shovel is all metal and a couple of lifting eyes are
modelled. The hydraulics for the bottom opening
shovel are not modelled.
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 and arm is very good and the
cylinders are stiff enough to hold most poses.
The shovel opens and closes, and relies on friction at
the hinge point to hold any pose.
Quality
This is a very heavy solid-feeling model with little
plastic.
The paintwork and graphics are good.
Price
This a larger model with a high metal content so the
price is reasonable.
Overall
It looks good in Celtic Energy colours although the
detail level is a little dated by modern standards.
It is recommended for collectors of mining equipment.
Footnotes
The model appeared in Summer 2012 in a limited run of
300 models.
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|
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Imposing at rest. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Access stairs
lowered. |
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| Height of reach
is good. |
 |
|
Handrails are on the fat side for
the scale. The vertical ladder is plastic. |
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| Reasonable cab
details. |
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| View underneath
reveals simple detail. |
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| Simpler detail
on top. |
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| Tough machines
at work. |
|
