| 
					
						|  |  
						| High quality 
						box. |  
						|  |  
						|  |  
						| Big bullbars. |  
						|  |  
						| Detailed 
						chassis. |  
						|  |  
						| Plastic steps 
						and mesh walkways. |  
						|  |  
						| Fans visible 
						through the grille. |  
						|  |  
						| Big truck. |  
						|  |  
						| Tilting cab. |  
						|  |  
						| Caterpillar 
						engine. |  
						|  |  
						| Size comparison 
						with a MAN tractor. |  | 
					
						|  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. |  
						|  |  
						| Nice wheels. |  
						|  |  
						| Imposing. |  
						|  |  
						| Towing hitch at 
						the rear. |  
						|  |  
						|  |  
						| Profile view. |  
						|  |  
						| Fan at the 
						front and mesh in the wheel arches. |  
						|  |  
						| Opening cab 
						door reveals a comfy looking seat. |  |