 | | The box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Excellent detail on the roof. |  | | The track frames are very detailed. |  | | Excellent detailed cab. |  | | Elevating cab. |  | | Getting service from the Elliot Lube truck. |  | | The Vermeer looks good on a low loader, although it is a heavy machine. |
| The Vermeer Manufacturing Company was founded in Iowa USA in 1948 and as the Vermeer Corporation it is now a manufacturer of agricultural and excavation equipment.
The T1255 Commander is the largest track trencher in the current range. Weighing in at up to 111 tonnes and with a 600 hp engine, it can dig through solid rock to allow the installation of large diameter pipes.
Packaging
The box reflects the green, white and black corporate colours of Vermeer and has a photo of the real machine. Two expanded polystyrene trays and other soft packaging protect the model well which is good as it has some delicate parts. The review model had no defects or missing pieces.
Included are two small leaflets. One contains information about the real machine, and the second is a simple instruction sheet which explains how to fit the two dirt drags, although it does not explain the working functions of the model.
Detail
Getting the model out of the box it immediately conveys an impression of high detail.
Beginning underneath, the chassis is fairly plain but the underside of the engine is clearly visible. The track frames have lots of detail within the casting with many rivets and plates reproduced, and there is a fine looking drive sprocket. The track pads are metal and detailed.
The operator's cab is a very good piece of modelling. On the outside there is an excellent thin grab rail, and electric cabling. At the bottom a fine mesh platform provides an entrance to the cab. Inside there is a superbly detailed console and an excellent chair. The whole cab can be elevated, and this in turn reveals another view into the body and there is a ton of electric cabling and other detail to be seen.
Just behind the cab is a tiny red emergency hammer which is an excellent detail. Further back, a set of mesh doors open to reveal the engine block complete with many electric and hydraulic lines. At the rear a large radiator block is beautifully rendered.
On the opposite side to the operator's cab is another excellent mesh door which, on opening, gives further access to the engine, and also contains an enclosure for a fan. The roof of the model is highly detailed with mesh screens and a wealth of tiny replica rivets as well as air intakes and an exhaust stack. A large number of hydraulic lines run to the main hydrostatic drives for the trencher, the lift cylinders and conveyor.
The front half of the main machine is symmetrical on both sides. The rubber conveyor belt is nice, and the main trencher drives are detailed. Just about the only plastic on the model is the hydraulic cylinder jackets and although the colour match is not perfect to the painted metal, it is reasonably close.
The trencher attachment has a very solid feeling boom, complete with rollers on the boom top. This arrangement supports the cutting chain which is made up of a series of metal links some of which have very sharp teeth. Above the chain is a bridge which has an articulated end. Two metal dirt drags are attached one on each side of the machine.
Features
The tracks roll freely on the frames, and one sprocket in the frame is spring loaded to facilitate track removal if required.
The operator's cab has an opening door and the whole cab is elevating and can be posed at any height as the mechanism is sufficiently stiff. The cab also features a sprung seat which rotates.
There are further opening doors on both sides of the main engine compartment. The conveyor belt folds down on both sides, and it can be turned. It can also be moved entirely within the body so that an extended discharge can occur on one side of the machine and this is a clever feature.
The cutting chain rotates on the boom, which can be elevated and lowered. Above the boom, the bridge nose can be articulated. On each side the dirt drags have moving deflectors, and can be raised and lowered using the modelled hydraulic cylinders.
Quality
This is a very high quality model which excels particularly in the details presented. The paintwork is very good, and there are some tiny graphics which add to the look. Very little plastic is used.
Price
This model is very good value because of the quality provided.
Overall
This is an interesting and unusual model which has been rendered extremely well. The detail level is at a high, and the working features of the model are very good.
There is no hesitation in recommending this model to any collector interested in this type of machine.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at dealers in October 2008. The run of the model is 4000 units. The model is distributed in Europe as NZG model 746.
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|  | | Snug fitting tray. |  | | Imposing rock trencher. The cylinders can hold the heavy saw up on the review model. |  | | Hydraulic cabling to the main drive. |  | | Fearsome cutting teeth. |  | | More opening doors. |  | | The discharge conveyor extended. |  | | The Vermeer and the Cranes Etc team sawing through the furniture. |
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