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| The large Hitachi
box. |
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| The parts out of
the box. |
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| Counterweights
are contained within the holder at
the back. |
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| View
underneath.
|
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| Metal handrails
all around. |
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| The Ohsumi
FE500 Crusher. |
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| The big main
boom is heavy and impressive. |
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| The body
looks great on a low loader. |
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| Interesting
mini dioramas can be made. Here both versions of
the model appear. |
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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 high reach
configuration with an Ohsumi FE500 Crusher.
Packaging
The model comes in a surprisingly large Hitachi branded
box containing two trays, with the lower tray containing
the body and the top tray has the long reach boom.. 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 surprisingly also inside the bottom of the
frames, 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 cab is metal including the falling object protection
and the windows are tinted, 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. It is
interesting to see the main boom is made up of four
separate parts but they are not easily separated which
is a pity.
The Ohsumi crusher is entirely metal and is a nice piece
which looks realistic.
Features
The tracks roll 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 lowered to support the
undercarriage without the tracks.
The upper boom is removable by pulling out some pins
although the Ohsumi 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 most poses although the model wants to tip when the
boom is lowered significantly.
The Ohsumi 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 set a high
standard.
Price
It is good value overall, for the quality offered.
Overall
There is no doubt this is a fine model by NZG and a
particular strong point is that it can be stripped down
to make excellent transport loads although it is a pity
the high reach boom does not split down further. The detail
level is very good, if not quite best in class, but all
things considered the model is outstanding.
Footnotes
The model appeared in 2010 and was a result of a
co-operation between NZG and Ken Kraft in Japan. A
smaller boom version was made as
NZG 781. The
Ohsumi FE500 Crusher was available as a separate part
numbered NZG
823. A version in the colours of
Avenir Deconstruction
appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2012 and was made in
a limited run of 300 models.
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|
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| Profile view. |
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| Detailed
tracks. |
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| Opening door
provides access to the interior. |
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| The cab
has lightly tinted windows.
|
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| Good hydraulic
lines at the boom foot. |
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| The main boom
is made up of separate sections. |
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| These Cranes
Etc guys do not have a clue about rigging this load.
They have been given warnings about their poor
performance. |
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| The 40m reach
scales to about 80cm. This is a big model. |
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| Long reach
comes into its own. |
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