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| Hitachi branded box.
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| Warning
graphics on the counterweight. |
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| Some detail on
the underside of the body. |
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| Tiny yellow
graphic just below the steps. |
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| Bucket has a
bolted connection. |
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| Excellent
hydraulics at the boom foot.
|
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| Opened cover
and panel removed to show the detailed engine. |
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| Opening door to
the detailed cab. |
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| Loading a MAN
TGS Tipper. |
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The Hitachi ZAXIS 210 is an
excavator with an operating weight of 22 tonnes and has
a bucket capacity of between 0.5 and 1.2m³.
The model box lists the machine as a 5 series, although
at the time of the review Hitachi are not listing a 5
series version of the 210.
Packaging
The box consists of
a combination of a shaped clear plastic former and
expanded polystyrene tray held within an outer
cardboard box.
There are a couple of graphics on the box showing the
dimensions and digging characteristics of the real machine.
Two mirrors are supplied separately in the box and these
clip on to the grab rails on the body and cab.
Detail
The metal tracks have detailed pads with individual bolt
details and they are mounted on good track frames which
include some small graphics but the rollers are solid
and non-functioning. Unusually the underside of
the undercarriage has a plastic plate fixed on.
The cab is really good. The window frames are
finely detailed and the grab rails are thin, and the
hinges on the cab door are exceptionally small.
Inside the detailing is excellent with a sculpted floor
and a full set of controls. The computer console
is particularly good even though it is barely visible.
The Hitachi name is printed onto the seat.
The body casting is to a good standard with various
grille and panel details. At the rear the
counterweight has warning signs and all the graphics are
applied very well. The top of the body has small
bolt heads within the casting and textured walking
surfaces. The engine covers stand a little high
and the exhaust pipe does not have a hole, but
underneath the engine detail is very good.
The hydraulics at the boom foot are very realistic with
silver connectors on the hoses and pipes, and a detailed
hydraulic pump. The boom has separate pipes and
the cylinder jackets have a good colour match with the
metal parts. A particularly nice detail is the
hose connections between the boom and stick which are
wrapped by tiny springs to represent reinforced hoses.
The metal bucket is a good casting.
Features
The tracks roll well and are tensioned with spring
loader idlers.
The body rotates smoothly and the boom, stick and bucket
have a good range of movement and can be posed in any
position.
The bucket is bolted on the stick and can be removed,
although the bolts are painted and care would be needed
not to scratch the paint off.
The cab door can be opened to a wide angle.
One half of the engine cover is hinged and can be opened
up. The other half can be lifted off.
Quality
This is a high quality detailed model which is mainly
metal and well made. The paintwork and graphics
are to a high standard.
Price
By comparison it is priced on the high side for the size
of the model, but this is offset by the high quality.
Overall
Although Replicars are not well known for construction
models, the ZX210 certainly sets a high standard.
The details and features are very good and it is an
outstanding small excavator model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in April 2012.
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Profile view. |
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| Authentic
looking Hitachi. |
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| Detailed tracks
and frames. |
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| Nice grilles in
the body. |
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| Excellent
hydraulic pipes, hoses and connections.
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Mirrors fixed to the grab rails. The left hand one
is often positioned lower on the real machine. |
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| Opening cover. |
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| Painted
controls and Hitachi name on the seat. |
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| Good range of
movement on the boom and stick.
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| At work. |
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