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| The large
Komatsu branded
box. |
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| An imposing
machine. |
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| Yes, it's a big
shovel. |
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| Nice metal
handrails. Plenty of hydraulic hoses. |
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| Hydraulic pipes
on the boom are formed within the casting. |
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| Track frames
are heavy and detailed. |
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| Heavy track
shoes. |
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| Cabinet details
contained within the casting. |
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| One to look up
to. |
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| Opening shovel
to discharge a load. |
|
The Komatsu PC 2000-8 Front Shovel
is usually used in mining and quarrying operations and
has a shovel capacity of up to 11m³. Even
though it is a smaller machine in the Komatsu mining
shovel range, the
operating weight of the PC2000-8 is around 200 tonnes .
Packaging
The model comes in a large Komatsu branded
box containing two trays. There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
It is nice to see some information about the real
machine on the box side, and this model has been
produced in collaboration with Ken Kraft of Japan.
A few spare track links and lights are included in the box which is always a nice touch.
Detail
The
metal tracks mirror the heavy-duty nature of those on
the real machine and they are mounted on track frames
which have working rollers on the top
and bottom of the
frames. The drive sprockets are nicely detailed.
The body is a heavy metal casting
with detailing of grilles and with very crisp graphics.
All of the hand rails and grab rails are metal and of a
realistic-looking thickness. Floodlights are fixed
at various points around the body, and there are mirrors
at the rear. The main engine housing is detailed
with cabinet doors and handles within the casting.
There is an array of hydraulic equipment at the boom
foot which is a metal casting but fairly thickly
painted. The two slewing motors are also modelled.
The large cab is metal
and the windows are tinted. Inside the controls and
driving seat are modelled as well as a rear seat.
There are lifting eyes on the roof as in many places on
the model but they are 'false' in that they do not have
holes.
The boom is a suitably heavy metal piece with hydraulic
pipes cast in the top surface. Again the detail is
lessened a little by the thick paint cover. The
hydraulic cylinder jackets are plastic and the colour
match is slightly off, but there are plenty of hydraulic
hoses modelled. The arm is also good, with
detailing on the underside. Friction rivets are
used throughout which are unobtrusive.
The shovel is all metal with sharply detailed teeth.
The hydraulic cylinders for the bottom opening mechanism
are modelled within the shovel and this is nicely done.
Features
The tracks are very stiff and can be operated by hand
but they are reluctant when pushing the model.
They are tensioned with spring-loaded idlers.
The model rotates smoothly.
The access ladder can be folded up and down.
Movement of the boom and arm is very good with plenty of
stiffness so any pose will be held.
The shovel opens and closes, and again the mechanism is
stiff enough to hold any pose.
Quality
This is a very heavy model with hardly any plastic used.
It is well made and the paintwork and graphics produce a
good-looking piece.
Price
It is reasonably priced given the amount of metal.
Overall
Large mining machines usually make interesting models
and the Komatsu PC2000-8 is no exception. It is big
and heavy with a good level of detail and is recommended.
Footnotes
The model appeared in 2009 and was a result of a
co-operation between NZG and Ken Kraft in Japan. A
backhoe version had been made previously as model number
707.
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The parts out of
the box. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Massive
counterweight. |
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| Heavy
construction all round. |
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Detailed hydraulic equipment.
|
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| Access steps
lead a hopeful to the top. |
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| View underneath
courtesy of a very, very bad
operator. |
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| Tinted
cab windows and anti-slip walkways. |
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| Sharp graphics. |
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| Nice casting
details. |
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| A shovel full
of rocks. |
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