 | | Oshkosh box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | The spare chutes are stowed on the side, and held in place with a tie-down. |  | | Opening the hood reveals a detailed engine. |  | | Rear view. |  | | Underneath, the model has lots of detail. |  | | The platform provides access to the top of the drum. |  | | Filling a foundation slab with the grey stuff. |
| This is a six axle Oshkosh S-Series Front Discharge Mixer and is a variation of the first run seven axle model previously reviewed here.
The model reviewed here is in the colours of Murphy Concrete and Construction. Murphy is a company founded in 1926 and it is based in Wisconsin, USA. It currently has around 400 employees and runs 12 concrete production plants with over 80 ready mix trucks. The Murphy website can be visited here and it includes a video of an S-Series mixer at work.
Packaging
The model comes in an Oshkosh picture box which contains a pair of expanded polystyrene trays. The model is well packed inside with plenty of polythene wrapping. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
Included with the model is a small Oshkosh promotional booklet which has information and pictures of the S-series. There is no information on the model however, and no guidance on the fitment of the small parts which are provided in a separate bag.
Detail
The model is intricate and turning the model over reveals plenty of detail on the chassis with all the drive shafts to the three driven axles present, and a plethora of brake lines. The tyres and hubs are good with the front tyres in particular having the heavy tread found on the real machine.
At the front there is a towing point and pins are provided in the bag to place in the hitch. The light arrays look convincing and there is a tremendous array of small warning signs dotted around the cab. Rear view mirrors are supplied as separate parts and these are easily fitted although they hang rather loose. The steps to the cab have a fine mesh and there are small chrome grab handles. There is a water hose adjacent to the cab door complete with tap.
Inside the cab the detail continues with an air ride seat and tiny window openers on the inside of the door. The only obvious detail missing from the cab area is a windscreen wiper. A ladder leads up to the hopper above the cab where there is another water hose. The chute mechanism at the front has very small hydraulic cylinders, and there is a piece of membrane material to guide the concrete from the exit hopper to the chute.
The drum appears to be made of a plastic material but this is not a negative point as it replicates the nature of the ‘Revolution’ drum which is made of a lightweight composite material found on some versions of the real machine. Behind the drum is the engine unit. The drum motor drive is replicated well with various cables and lines visible. A very good chrome exhaust stack is provided.
The engine is covered by a hood which is plastic, but again this replicates the construction of the real machine which has a fibre glass hood. Under the hood, the engine is very detailed. The back of the hood has an excellent fine radiator grille.
Features
All but the two rear driving axles can be steered independently although the lock is limited on the front axle and the mechanism is stiff on the other axles. An excellent feature is the spring suspension which is provided on all axles. Three of the other axles are lift axles and this is replicated on the model where they can be locked out of service although this is also quite stiff on some of the axles and it can be concerning whether a delicate part may break in the process so care is advised.
The engine hood opens and it is spring loaded.
At the front the cab door opens. The mixer drum revolves smoothly and the feed hopper at the top is adjustable.
A feature which is not obvious is that the use of plastic for the drum has enabled the inside to be fully engineered with replica screw-like fins. This is just visible by looking in the end of the drum. The design is such that if sand were put in the drum, and the drum spun, sand would be discharged.
The chute mechanism is excellent as it is fully adjustable, side to side, and up and down, and the individual chutes fold out nicely. Two additional chutes are provided with the model and these can be clipped on and used, and when not in use they are stowed on the side by the cab and restrained in place with a tie-down.
Quality
This is not a heavy model mainly because of the plastic used for the drum and engine hood. Nevertheless it is of very good quality with a high level of detail. The paintwork and graphics are pleasing and to a good standard overall.
Price
This is a high end product compared to other truck mixer models and this is reflected in the price of the model. It is however good value for the detail and features included.
Overall
The Oshkosh is an unusual looking concrete mixer, certainly to European eyes, and is a complex looking vehicle. This model is a faithful copy of the real machine and offers plenty of detail and features. It looks an interesting machine and can be posed with other models to make some pleasing displays. This version in the colours of Murphy Concrete is a limited edition and therefore offers some enhanced collectability.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2008. A second run of new liveries and some 6 axle versions were introduced in February 2009 and the run of each model is as follows:
C Harvey Ready Mix, 550
Sheboygan Concrete, 250
Carew Concrete & Supply Co., 250
Murphy Concrete & Construction, 250
Zignego Ready Mix, 250
Oshkosh Promo. 250 Cemstone™, 250
Green & Gold Concrete, 250
4X Concrete, 250
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|  | | Inside the box. |  | | This is the front of the truck. The front tyres have a meaty tread and there is a towing hitch with pin. |  | | Impressive details at the rear end. |  | | Lots of small graphics around the cab. |  | | Opening cab door. |  | | Excellent springing on the suspension. |  | | The 6 axle and 7 axle versions side by side. |
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