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Wirtgen Surface Miner 4200 SM

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  874
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  May 2014


NZG Index
Mining / Quarrying Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)25
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)21
Price   (max 15)10
Overall   (max 100)80%

Footnotes


Wirtgen Surface Miner 4200 SM - Video  [Youku Video]
Wirtgen branded box.
Profile view.
Primary conveyor feeding the discharge conveyor.
Good conveyor structure.  The belt has deep cleats.
Conveyor counterweight structure.  Screw heads visible above the slewing ring.
High quality straps support the conveyor.
Detailed cab.
Front view.  The central access stair lowers too.
Loading a Liebherr T264 mining truck.
Comment on this model.

The Wirtgen Surface Miner 4200 SM is a massive machine used for selective mining of coal, iron ore or soft rock, and it provides an economic single mining process with one operator and can excavate up to 3000 tonnes per hour.  The machine weighs around 211 tonnes. 

Packaging

The model comes in a very large Wirtgen branded box which comes in an outer shipping container.  Inside the model is enclosed between expanded polystyrene trays. 

The review model had no missing parts.  One part was loose in the box and was easily refitted.

The model comes with a bag containing spare track links and pins.  A simple sheet is included which describes some of the features of the model pictorially, but really the model deserves something more comprehensive. 

Surprisingly for a Wirtgen Group model, there is no information about the real machine.

Detail

The metal tracks have double grouser and bolt head detailing and they are mounted on frames which have working rollers.  Large soft rubber containment hoses run from the body to the track drive motors.  The hydraulic cylinders controlling the track height and steering are without hoses.  All connections are made with friction pins which look discrete.

Underneath the model the large milling drum has individual metal picks which are tipped with red paint.  The side skirts are detailed thin sections, and the primary conveyor has a nice rubber belt with deep cleats.

The cab has a very detailed interior and externally the lights, mirrors and air conditioner look good.  The access platform has metal mesh flooring with metal handrails.  Below the cab a control console is modelled at track level.

Inside the engine deck there is a large plastic engine block that is a single colour.  The sides of the engine deck have fine quality mesh sides and the drive to the milling drum is modelled inside a cabinet.  Above the engine deck there are extensive textured walking surfaces with metal handrails.  The air intakes and exhaust are modelled in plastic with the exhaust pipes not having holes. 

The massive discharge conveyor structure is modelled in metal.  The moving counterweight structure has discrete friction pin connections.  The big slewing ring is heavy modelling although the three silver securing screws would have been better with some disguising. 

The metal lattice structure is modelled well and looks convincing as does the large rubber belt with its deep cleats.  The support cables are fine gauge metal wire.  Hydraulic lines to the conveyor motor are modelled in rubber and plastic.

Features

Each track unit has tracks which are stiff, but can be rotated by hand, and each track can be steered individually.  The height of the machine can be adjusted by varying the height of each track through adjustable legs.  Because of the weight of the model the hydraulic rams have to be pinned when extended to hold a pose.

The milling drum rotates freely and there is an adjustable plate on each side and a moving scraper plate behind the drum.

The cab can be rotated to adjust the viewing position for the operator.

The access stair to the cab can be lowered as can the stair to the engine deck. 

The discharge conveyor counterweight slides to balance the conveyor structure.  The whole structure rotates smoothly through 180º.

The conveyor belt can be rotated but it is extremely stiff.

The discharge angle of the conveyor can be angled by adjusting the hydraulic rams which control it.

The whole conveyor structure can be pivoted to allow the primary conveyor to be lowered for maintenance.  Pins are removed and the conveyor is raised by hand, rather than using temporary cables attached to the sliding counterweight mechanism. 

It is also possible to separate the whole conveyor structure by removing the three screws which secure it leaving the body of the machine as a heavy transport load.  The conveyor structure can only be broken down further be pushing out friction pins to separate the counterweight part.

Quality

This is a high quality model with a high metal content.  As usual for a heavy model care has to be taken not to bend the metal handrails.

The paint and graphics are very good.

Price

It is a big model and this is reflected in the price.

Overall

The real 4200 SM is an impressive machine and this model is also imposing and large.  It has good functionality and the detailing is generally of a very good standard.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the BAUMA Exhibition in 2013.
 
Large model of a large machine.
Heavy duty hydraulics.
Big milling drum with tipped picks.  Steering crawler tracks.
Metal handrails.  The exhaust pipes do not have holes.
Access stair lowered.
Fine casting detail.
Detailed tracks and frames.
Opening panels reveal the milling drum drive belt.