 |
| The large
Komatsu branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Large
counterweight. |
 |
| Nice hydraulics
detailing. |
|
|
 |
| Detailed cab. |
 |
| Large grilles
are plastic but with an excellent colour match. |
 |
| Impressive
stick. |
 |
| Complex
hydraulics. |
 |
| Access stair
lowered. |
 |
| Excellent depth
of dig. |
 |
| At work. |
|
The Komatsu PC4000 Backhoe is
used in mining and quarrying operations and has a bucket
capacity of up to 22m³. It has an operating weight of
around 400 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a large Komatsu branded
box containing two trays.
There were
no missing parts or defects on the review model.
There is some information about the real machine on the
box side. An instruction sheet explains how to
remove the model correctly from the secure packaging.
Detail
The metal track pads have got a detailed pattern cast in
and they are mounted on heavy track frames which have working
rollers on the top and bottom of the frames. The
undercarriage plate is simple. Large detailed
drive motors are modelled with hydraulic hoses running
to them.
The cab has mirrors and
a thin windscreen wiper, and there are slats on the side
window. Many work lights are positioned around the
cab. Inside the cab the controls and
driving seat are modelled including pedals on the cab
floor.
Outside the cab there are metal handrails and there is
an excellent mesh walkway. An emergency egress
ladder is positioned outside complete with a latch
painted red. The walkway extends to the rear with
textured steps down to an access stair.
The
metal body has large detailed grilles which are plastic
but with an excellent colour match so they blend
perfectly.
Sharp
Komatsu graphics enhance the model.
On top of the body the detailing is excellent, with fire
suppression and other equipment at the rear, and again
plastic parts have an excellent colour match. At
the boom foot there is complex and detailed hydraulics
equipment.
The boom and stick are of heavy construction. There are
hydraulic pipes on the top surface of the boom and
soft hydraulic lines
connect to the body and the rams. The hydraulic
ram jackets are plastic with pipework details.
The overall look of the boom and stick is excellent.
The large backhoe bucket is metal with very nice wear
plates and teeth detailed.
Features
The tracks roll well when moved by hand,
and will roll on a rough surface.
They are tensioned with spring-loaded idlers.
The model rotates
smoothly after some initial stickiness.
The movement of the boom, stick and bucket is very good.
Some of the rams are very stiff so care is needed to
make movements without inadvertently holding and damaging delicate
parts.
The access ladder can be folded down, and can be parked
in the 'up' position.
Two emergency egress ladders exist, one on each side,
and they can be lowered, and latches
can be used to hold them in the 'up' position. The
latches engage small pins which are difficult to access
and could be easy to lose.
Quality
This is a heavy
high quality model with plastic used appropriately to provide detail.
The paintwork is
very good and the colour match of plastic parts is
excellent. The graphics are very sharp and precise.
Price
This is a large model with a high metal content.
It is fully priced.
Overall
NZG has made a really nice job of the PC4000, and it
looks great posed on its own, or with a suitable mining
truck.
Footnotes
The model first announced
at the Bauma Exhibition in 2019 and became available at
the end of that year. It was also released as a
face shovel, NZG model number 933.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
At rest. |
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Underneath. |
 |
| Heavy track
frames with working rollers. |
 |
|
Metal handrails and mesh walkways. |
|
|
 |
| Excellent
equipment detailing. |
 |
| Large drive
motors. |
 |
| Emergency
egress ladder. |
 |
| Emergency
egress ladder, cab side. |
 |
| Poses well with
a mining truck. |
|
