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| Warning notice by the staircase. Click the photo to read it. |
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| Pull the cable and to ask for the stairs to be lowered. |
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| The stairs lowered for access. |
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| Excellent tracks and frames. |
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| The electric feeder cable boom resides below the huge body of the machine. |
TWH 012 - Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel
Model Review June 2008
Detail
Starting with the lower works, the crawler tracks are suitably massive. The pads are large heavy links which are individually pinned together. Each set of tracks is carried on huge track frames which have various bolt, lifting eye and bearing details. Between the track frames is some extraordinary detail and heavy construction. At one end there are huge track drive boxes with heavy interconnections and various cables of different gauges and types. There is also a boom with a feeder cable to trail off to an electricity supply.
Above the turntable there is a large slewing motor on each side of the model. Although this is a hard to see part of the model without getting your eyes to crawler track level, the detail is outstanding. Numerous cables are run and clipped at various points. On one side the access walkway runs under the body complete with mesh floor and handrails and there is an adjacent radiator grille.
The main body of the machine is one of the most imposing pieces of mass produced 1:50 scale modelling available at the time of the review. Starting at the bottom of the cab side, a boarding ladder has excellent mesh tread steps and this detail is reproduced throughout the model together with yellow hand railing which is all in a realistic thickness for the scale. Excellent quality graphics result in legible warning notices and these are sprinkled across the model.
The walkway leads up stairs to a mid level which has orange beacon lights and a horn loudspeaker, together with a door and access ladder to the dipper flap release winch. A pair of floodlights hang down from under the cab and these are beautifully modelled with the bulbs clearly visible inside the lamps. More floodlights like these are located at various points around the model.
Another flight of stairs leads to the cab deck. Here, first class air-conditioning machinery is modelled complete with photo etched grilles and cabling. Doors lead into the cab and this is highly detailed too. The operator's station has joystick and pedal controls, and tiny graphics are visible on the workstation. An additional seat is provided and behind there are various cabinets as well as a refreshment station where a coffee machine and microwave oven are visible. Outside, the cab has a windscreen wiper, mirror and fire extinguisher.