 |
| Caterpillar branded
box. |
 |
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| Engine side
grille is understated. |
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| Front end
detail is sparse. |
 |
| No hoses crossing
the pivot point. |
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| Big tyres on
detailed wheels. |
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| Cat logo on the
seat back. |
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| Wheel arch
would have looked better with some black to represent
rubber. |
 |
| Big rock bucket
but no top perforations. |
 |
| Loading a
Caterpillar MT4400D. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Caterpillar 994H
is the largest wheel loader in the Caterpillar range.
It has an operating weight of around 195 tonnes and
bucket capacities in the range 14 - 36 m³, with a
rated payload of 32 tonnes.
This model is
of the 'High Lift' version which has extended loader
arms.
Packaging
The model comes in a
typical Caterpillar-branded box style with windows.
Inside however the packaging is different from other
Tonkin Caterpillar models with a pair of factory sealed
expanded polystyrene trays holding the models. The
model is also secured to the base with tightly wound
twist ties, which is a disappointment given the
frustrations of this type of packaging.
The review model had no missing
parts or defects.
The box
includes a small collector card which has some
information about the real machine and a nice photo.
Detail
The underside has some detailing with the transmission
drive shafts present for both axles. The rubber
tyres are good. They are solid and not shiny, with
a decent tread pattern. The metal wheels are very
good with fine detailing on both faces, although the
inside faces have black extension rims.
At the rear the grille
is metal and lights add to the detail. The grilles
on the left side is detailed in the casting surface but
as it is painted over it is indistinct and some black
paint or real perforations would have looked better.
Small plastic access ladders are fixed on each side.
The rear wheel arches are metal and yellow, and black
paint highlighting rubber flaps would have improved the
look. All the rest of the handrails and stairs are
high quality metal and nice and thin. The
anti-slip walkway surface is formed well. On top
of the engine block the air intakes and exhausts are
plastic.
The
metal cab is detailed with a wiper, plastic mirrors
and decent light assemblies. The beacon lights on the roof
are good. Small warning graphics complete the detail.
The interior detail has the CAT logo on
the seat back and the trainer seat is present.
At the pivot point the front axle drive shaft is
visible, but the addition of hydraulic hoses would have
made it more complex and interesting.
The front axle arches lack rubber flaps but there is a
plastic light assembly on top. The front view of
the axle assembly is fairly plain.
The loader arm with the Z-bar linkages is
generally modelled well with hoses running to the rams.
Rivets and pins are painted and unobtrusive. There
are a couple of screwed connections visible on the
loader arms but they are painted and relatively small.
The rock bucket is metal and of heavy construction.
Teeth and wear plates look good but there are no
visibility perforations in the top edge.
Features
The wheels roll well
in a straight line with each pair of tyres fixed to a
common axle. The rear axle is able to oscillate
significantly on its mounting. However there is
also a small amount of sideways movement of the rear
axle and this impacts rolling the model when turning
sharply with the tyres getting fouled.
The model steers across the pivot point and the overall
steering angle is accurate.
The loader arm lifts the bucket to a realistic height
and is stiff enough to hold most poses. The tipping
angle is good.
Quality
This is a well-made model with a high metal content.
The paint finish is very good and the graphics
are sharp.
Price
It is good value given the size of the model.
Overall
This is a solid reworking of the Caterpillar 994 with
some pleasing details, although in some areas more
detailing would have been a worthwhile improvement.
It is a big and convincing model.
Footnotes
The model was available from September 2014.
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|
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| Dominating. |
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| Lights at the
rear. |
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| Detail
underneath. |
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| Walkway texture
and metal handrails are good.
|
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|
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| Profile view. |
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| Loader arm is
big. |
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| Carrying rocks. |
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| Travelling. |
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| Decent tipping
angle. |
|
