 | | Volvo branded box. |  |  | | Detailed tracks and metal grab rails on the body. |  | | Hydraulics are controlled from the centre of the body. |  | | Equipment for attaching the counterweight. |  | | Hydraulic hosing is excellent. |  | | The jaws are impressive. |  | | Impressive looking load. |  | | At work demolishing a structure. |
| The Volvo EC460CLD is one of the larger demolition machines in the Volvo range and it has an operating weight in the range 45-48 tonnes. A feature of the machine is that it is specially strengthened to work in a demolition environment with vulnerable equipment fitted with extra guards and other components reinforced.
Packaging
The box is a little unusual in that it consists of a shaped clear plastic former held within an outer cardboard box. This allows the model to be seen and it is held between two interlocking formers which provide strong protection. There is also a clever tray in the bottom of the packaging which holds some spare track links and a replacement beacon light, which represents good consideration for the collector.
There is no information provided about the real machine, and nothing for the model either although there is no assembly required to display the model.
Detail
The metal tracks are mounted on detailed frames which have working sprockets and idlers and the lower rollers are moving parts.
The body is almost all metal with the result that the whole model is quite heavy. This version of the EC460 has side impact protection along the lower sides of the body and a plastic Falling Object Guard (FOG) over the cab windscreen and top. Detail inside the cab is good, and the windows are slightly tinted and have the glass frame finely delineated. A mirror, beacon light and wipers add to the detail. The rest of the body has grilles formed within the casting and there are a number of metal grab rails. At the rear the counterweight attachment mechanism is modelled, although the counterweight is permanently fixed on the model.
The modelling of the hydraulics sets the model apart. There is a detailed hydraulic unit at the boom foot and the hydraulic lines are modelled in rubber and run up the boom and stick to the jaws and overall these add to the look of the model greatly.
The boom and stick are metal with plastic blanking plates on the underside. There are protection plates to the main cylinders and the cylinder on the stick and overall they create the impression of a tough machine.
The demolition jaws appear to be a Hanwoo unit and it is mainly metal with the cylinders being plastic. It is a pleasing part with good detailing.
Features
The tracks roll well and are mounted on spring loaded sprockets so removal is straightforward although as the track links are hooked together they easily come apart when not under tension so care is needed not to lose any links.
The body has an opening engine cover and there is a nicely detailed engine underneath. The hinge is stiff enough to enable the cover to stay open.
It rotates well and the boom and stick movement is good and the cylinders are stiff enough to hold any pose set. The jaws can fully rotate at the end of the stick and they open and close. They cannot be removed from the stick and it would have been better if they could have been interchangeable with a bucket or other tools.
Quality
This is very nice quality model with some very good detailing. The paintwork and graphics are also very good and a few more small graphics would have added to the look even more.
Price
NZG have produced a very good value model.
Overall
Heavy demolition machines make interesting models and this Volvo model hits the spot. It looks convincing in a suitable diorama or posed with other models in a display case, and is easy to highly recommend.
Footnotes
The model first appeared as an NZG Summer release in June 2010. A version in the colours of Boverhoff appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2012 and was made in a limited run of 300 models.
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|  | | Profile view. |  | | Travelling with jaws lifted. |  | | Opening cover reveals the Volvo engine. |  | | Counterweight with mirror attached. |  | | View underneath. |  | | Protection plate covering the main cylinders. |  | | Loaded on a Nooteboom Low Loader. |  | | It looks great in a mini diorama. |  | | Loading an East Trailer. |
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