 |
| The large Hitachi
box. |
 |
 |
| The hydraulic
lines at the boom connection can jump out. |
 |
| Detail on the
underside of the body. |
 |
| Grilles look
good although the rear ones look weathered because of
the paint finish.
|
 |
| Counterweights
loaded, metal handrails and plenty of hoses. |
 |
| Opening door. |
 |
| The crusher is
detailes. |
 |
| Poses well. |
 |
| The body would
normally be transported on supports rather than the
stabilisers. |
 |
| The Hitachi is
sad because it wants to eat concrete not metal. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Hitachi ZAXIS 1000K-3 is sold into the Japanese market and is an
equivalent size to the Hitachi ZX870 version sold into European
markets. Depending on configuration, the machine
can have an operating weight of over 100 tonnes.
The version reviewed here is in a short boom
configuration with a heavy Okada crusher and is in the
colours of
Kibag,
a Swiss construction company. They own a similar
machine to the one modelled here.
Packaging
The model comes in a surprisingly large Hitachi branded
box, and the reason for this is that it is the same for
the larger high reach version of the model. There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
It is nice to see some information about the real machine
and a graph of the working range is included on the box
side. A clear instruction sheet covers the main
features of the model and a few spare track links are
also included which is always a nice touch.
Detail
The
track frames are good with working rollers on the top
edge and inside the lower frame, and the drive sprockets are nicely detailed. The
metal tracks are made to a high standard with detailed
pads. Separate support outriggers are provided for
when the tracks are removed.
The body is really good and there are fine casting
details all around including panel handles and grilles.
All of the hand rails and grab rails are metal, and a
plastic walkway runs along the cab side although it
cannot be folded or removed to reduce the transport
width. The Kibag livery is distinctive and looks
good, and it includes a realistic fleet number.
The cab is metal including the falling object protection
and the windows are tinted with the rear side window
completely dark, and inside the controls and
seat are modelled well.
The counterweight consists of four separate slabs and
the lifting eyes are represented but without holes, so
they cannot be posed being lifted.
The boom sections have hydraulic pipes modelled within
the casting and there are excellent rubber lines
representing the flexible connections. The cylinder
jackets are plastic with a good colour match. Friction
rivets are mainly used for the connections on the three
piece boom and arm so they are not obtrusive.
The Okada crusher is entirely metal and is a very nice
piece. Again the rivets used do not detract from
the look and the structure within the castings is really
good.
Features
The tracks roll well on the frames and
the idler is spring loaded so removing the tracks is
straightforward. Although not documented as a feature
in the instruction sheet, each individual track frame
can be unscrewed and removed which facilitates the model
being posed as a transport load. The track width is not
extendible.
The outriggers can be rotated and pads lowered to support the
undercarriage without the tracks.
The upper boom is removable by pulling out some pins
although the Okada crusher is not designed to be removed.
A door on the cab side of the body opens to allow access
to the centre.
The model rotates and has a full range of movement of the
boom sections and the cylinders are stiff enough to hold
any pose even though the tool is heavy.
The Okada crusher rotates freely and the jaws can be
opened and closed.
Quality
This is a very nice quality model with very little
plastic. The paintwork and graphics are very good
but the quality of finish on the review model was not
quite as good as seen on other versions. There was
some glue spillage and uneven paint.
Price
It is good value overall, for the quality offered, and
its limited edition status.
Overall
This is a fine model and a particular strong point is
that it can be stripped down to make excellent transport
loads. The detail level is very good, and it is another
good edition to the Kibag collection. The model is outstanding.
Footnotes
The model appeared in 2010 in
Hitachi colours and was a result of a
co-operation between NZG and Ken Kraft in Japan. A high reach version was made as
NZG 782. The
Okada TS-W2200V crusher was available as a separate part
NZG 824. Two versions were made in limited
editions of 300 models and were announced at the
Nuremberg Toy Fair 2012:
Van Vliet and
Van
Groningen.
|
|
|
|
 |
| The parts
out of the box. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Stabilisers can
be used when the tracks are removed. |
 |
| Nice track
details. |
 |
| The cab has
blue tinted windows.
|
 |
| Robust cab
guards. |
 |
| Nice hydraulics
along the boom. |
 |
| The Okada
TS-W2200V crusher rotates. |
 |
| Split down to
make transport loads. It is shown here on a Nooteboom
low loader, and
3-axle
and
4-axle trailers. |
 |
| A mini diorama
of Kibag models. |
|
