 | | The large Komatsu branded box. |  |  | | An imposing machine. |  | | Yes, it's a big shovel. |  | | Nice metal handrails. Plenty of hydraulic hoses. |  | | Hydraulic pipes on the boom are formed within the casting. |  | | Track frames are heavy and detailed. |  | | Heavy track shoes. |  | | Cabinet details contained within the casting. |  | | One to look up to. |  | | 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. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Massive counterweight. |  | | Heavy construction all round. |  | | Detailed hydraulic equipment. |  | | Access steps lead a hopeful to the top. |  | | View underneath courtesy of a very, very bad operator. |  | | Tinted cab windows and anti-slip walkways. |  | | Sharp graphics. |  | | Nice casting details. |  | | A shovel full of rocks. |
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