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| Hitachi branded box.
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| Warning
graphics on the counterweight. |
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| Metal track
pads have bolt head details. |
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| Textured
walking surfaces on top. |
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| High detail. |
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| Opening door to
the very detailed cab. |
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| Convincing
transport load. |
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| Mirror could be
folded in for transport. |
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| Silver
connections on the bucket stand out a bit. |
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 Comment on this model.
The Hitachi ZAXIS 250LCN-5 is an excavator with an operating weight in the
range of 25 - 27 tonnes. It has a bucket capacity
of between 1.0 and 1.62m³.
This model is of the version of the machine with a
monoblock boom.
Packaging
The box consists of
a combination of a shaped clear plastic former and
expanded polystyrene tray held within an outer
cardboard box.
There is a table and a couple of graphics on the box showing the
dimensions and digging characteristics of the real machine.
A bag of parts is included with spare track links and two mirrors
which have to be fitted. There is no information
about where the mirrors have to be fitted (they go on
the grab rails at the front) and they are very loose
fitting so need to be secured by glue or something else
to prevent loss.
Detail
The metal tracks have detailed pads with individual bolt
details and they are mounted on good track frames but
the rollers are solid and non-functioning. There
are small graphics indicating the lifting points.
The underside of the undercarriage has a plastic plate.
The cab is very good. The window frames are finely
detailed and the grab rail is thin although there was
some untidy gluing on the review model. There are
some very small graphics on the door but they are not
completely sharp.
The light bar above the windscreen is entirely in clear
plastic and so does not like quite right. Inside the
cab the detailing is excellent with a sculpted floor, a full set of controls
and a computer console. The inside of the plastic
door has an extremely fine grab rail and the ceiling of
the cab is detailed too.
The Hitachi name is printed onto the seat.
The body casting has grilles which are either painted or
formed of slots through the casting. The standard
of the graphics is high and the
counterweight has neat warning signs, and there is a
video camera on top. The top of the body has small
bolt heads within the casting and textured walking
surfaces. It is good to see the exhaust pipe has a hole,
and the engine cover has a very thin handle although the
hinge is a little large and obvious. Under the
hatch the engine is very detailed including a fine-gauge
mesh.
The hydraulics are of an excellent standard throughout.
Silver connectors are used on the hoses and pipes,
the cylinder jackets have separate pipes, and the hoses
between the boom and stick are
wrapped by tiny springs to represent reinforced hoses.
The boom and stick have other details within the
castings and only the silver rivets used around the
bucket connection look a little out of place and would
have been better painted. The metal bucket is a
reasonable casting.
Features
The tracks roll on a rough surface but are a little
stiff and they are tensioned with spring
loaded idlers. They are made of individual hooked
links which separate easily if the tracks are removed
from the frames.
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 removable by undoing the tiny nuts and
bolts opening the way to the use of different tools in
future.
The cab door can be opened to a wide angle although the
mechanism on the review model was delicate and the fit
of the door into the frame was not the best.
The engine cover is hinged and can be opened up and
stays in the open position. The hinge bracket is a
little unsightly and would look better painted.
Quality
This is a high quality detailed model.
The paintwork and graphics
are to a high standard.
Price
It is very competitively priced and very good value for
the quality offered.
Overall
As a first model by TMC Scale Models the ZX 250 sets a
high standard at a good price. It is very detailed and
realistic with plenty of features and is classed
as outstanding.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in December 2012.
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Profile view. |
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| Excellent
hydraulics make the model look realistic. |
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| Thin hand rail
at the front with mirror attached. |
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| Overall look is
convincing. |
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| Excellent
hydraulic pipes, hoses and connections.
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Excellent
hydraulics at the boom foot.
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| Opening cover
reveals a fine engine. |
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| Loading a
tipper. |
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| Good range of
movement is possible on the boom and stick.
|
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| Removable
bucket. |
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