 |
| Komatsu branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Nice detailing
at the rear. |
 |
| Realistic
loader arms. |
 |
| Rear axle
detail is good. The inside faces of the wheels
have detail too. |
 |
| Cab is smart
with tinted windows. |
 |
| Good tipping
angle. |
 |
| On the way to
site. |
 |
| Realistic carry
angle. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Komatsu
WA380-7 Wheel Loader has an operating weight of around
18 tonnes and a bucket
capacity of 2.9-4.0m³. It has a Tier 4 Interim engine.
This model is a result of co-operation between NZG and
Ken Kraft of Japan.
Packaging
The model comes in a Komatsu-branded
box, with the model contained within a pair of expanded
polystyrene trays.
There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There are detailed technical
line drawings of the real machine printed
on the box.
There is no assembly to do as the model is complete.
Detail
The
chassis is very good with more detail than is usually seen
on a model like this, and the transmission is
particularly good. The rubber tyres are
high quality and are mounted on authentically detailed metal wheels
which have the inside faces detailed too.
At the rear the modelling is high quality with fine
details in the casting including grilles and light
clusters. Paint is used to highlight details and
the graphics on the engine cover are sharp. The
rear wheel arches are metal with metal handrails.
The
stairs to the cab are metal with the grab rails being
plastic, as are the mirrors and aerials on the cab.
There are tinted
windows with a nice Komatsu name band in the back
window. Inside the cab the console has some
graphics.
Under the cab the front axle transmission crosses the
pivot point although there are no hydraulics.
The front lights are plastic but the loader arm is metal
and the connections are discrete friction pins.
Thin hydraulic hoses run to the rams.
The bucket is a clean and sharp casting, and a nice
touch is the useable lifting eyes.
Features
It rolls very smoothly. The rear axle oscillates
significantly, and the steering is pleasantly stiff and
it achieves a realistic angle.
The bucket achieves a good cut angle and a good carry
position. The height of lift is realistic and the
tipping angle is good too.
Quality
This is a high quality model with some very sharp
casting details. There are a few plastic parts.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
It is a little
more expensive than some similar sized wheel loaders.
Overall
This is another high quality Komatsu model from NZG.
The casting details are very good and the functionality
is faithful to the real machine.
Footnotes
The model was first announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair
in 2014 and became available in September 2014.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Carry
angle is good. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Nice grilles at
the rear. |
 |
| Detailed
chassis. |
 |
| Detail
at the pivot point.
|
|
|
 |
| Loading a road
tipper. |
 |
| Sharp looking
model. |
|
