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| Volvo branded box.
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| Detailed tracks
and metal grab rails on the body. |
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| Hydraulics are
controlled from the centre of the body. |
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| Equipment for attaching
the counterweight. |
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| Hydraulic hosing
is excellent. |
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| The jaws are impressive.
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| Impressive looking
load. |
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| At work demolishing
a structure. |
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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. |
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| Travelling with
jaws lifted. |
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| Opening cover reveals
the Volvo engine. |
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| Counterweight with
mirror attached. |
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| View underneath.
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Protection plate covering the main cylinders. |
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| Loaded on a
Nooteboom
Low Loader. |
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| It looks great
in a mini diorama. |
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| Loading an
East Trailer.
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