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| High quality
box. |
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| Big bullbars. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Plastic steps
and mesh walkways. |
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| Fans visible
through the grille. |
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| Big truck. |
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Caterpillar
engine. |
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| Size comparison
with a MAN tractor. |
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 Comment on this model.
The Tractomas is made by
Nicolas Industrie which is part
of the Tii Group. The 10x10 version has been
recognised as the largest road tractor in the world.
This model is the 8x8 version in the design relaunched
in 2013. The real truck has an empty weight of 36
tonnes, and it can move a load of 500 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a robust high quality outer shipping
carton. The model box is also high quality,
decorated in black with subtle Tii Group branding.
Inside the model is held within black foam which is a
tight fit so care is needed getting the model out.
The review model had no defects. A bag containing
two pins for locking the bullbar was missing but in
reality these are not really needed.
The box
includes a small booklet which has interesting
information about the real truck, and it also describes
the features of the model.
Detail
This is a big truck model but needs to be handled with
some care.
The chassis detailing is very good with the 8x8
transmission modelled and only the silver rivets on the
steering mechanism detract a little. Some of the
elements such as the tanks are plastic but the colour
match is very good. The Caterpillar engine is
visible from below, and under the cab. It is
plastic but made of a number of parts.
Nice touches include rubber
mud flaps behind the front wheels and thin mesh in the
front wheel arches. The rubber tyres are the same
design on all axles and the wheels are very detailed.
At the front the headlights are formed of jewelled glass
and there is a useable hitch although there is no pin.
There is lots of fine quality mesh and this used for
walkways around the model. The handrails and
bullbar are metal.
The metal cab is detailed inside with padded texture on
the seats and nice controls. On the outside the
detailing is of a good standard.
The equipment container behind the cab is mainly metal,
and the plastic parts have an excellent colour match.
Fans are visible through the top mesh and the
side grilles look very good even though they are solid.
At the rear the wheel arches are hard plastic, and there
is a useable towing hitch at the rear, again without a
pin.
Features
The wheels are free rolling and the linked steering can
be set to a good angle even though the steering linkage
is not precise. The first axle oscillates with the
other axles being fixed on the review model.
The bullbar folds forwards and that allows the cab to
tilt to a good angle and it holds the tilted pose.
Both cab doors open.
The fifth wheel tilts from side to side.
Quality
This is a very well presented high quality model which
is mainly metal with plastic used appropriately.
The paint finish is very good and the graphics
are sharp.
Price
It is perhaps a little pricey but it is a big model
presented well.
Overall
The Tractomas is an extraordinary truck and it is good
that Tonkin has produced a high quality model of it.
As a first model to market of a European truck by Tonkin
it sets a high standard for the future.
Footnotes
The model was available from December 2014.
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| Booklet
included. |
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| Nice wheels. |
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| Imposing. |
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| Towing hitch at
the rear. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Fan at the
front and mesh in the wheel arches. |
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| Opening cab
door reveals a comfy looking seat. |
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