UH 8000 - Komatsu D61EX Dozer
Model Review January 2008

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Small but perfectly formed, the Komatsu D61EX Dozer.

Box with window.

Tiny graphics printed on the model - click the photo to see it bigger - even dust is bigger than these graphics!

Very detailed track sprockets and links.

The blade can be lifted.

The D61EX Dozer is a 17 tonne machine with a six cylinder Komatsu engine developing 185kW (168hp).  The standard machine has a straight power angle tilt (PAT) blade and this is the configuration on this 1:50 scale model from Universal Hobbies.  

Packaging

The model comes in windowed box which is the standard Komatsu design for this range of models.  Inside, the model is securely held within expanded polystyrene and clear spacers. There was no damage to the review model.

There are no instructions or other information provided.

Detail

Although the model at 1:50 scale is relatively small it can be seen to be packed with detail before it comes out of the box.

The tracks are metal and finely detailed.  So much so that they appear quite delicate although in practice they seem strong enough. The track frames are plastic and they have working rollers on the top although those at the bottom are fixed. Detailing of the frames is very good with the plastic used allowing very small details to be represented.  The sprockets are also very convincing.

At the front the PAT blade is metal, and the various linkages are combinations of plastic and metal all with a good level of detail. The centreball design for transferring blade load to the dozer is modelled.

The engine cover and cab are very good indeed.  The headlights at the front have small lenses fitted. Grab rails and mirrors combine with the fine grilles and windscreen wipers to impress. Very small graphics are applied across the model and some are barely one millimetre wide.  Plastic, where used, is hardly distinguishable from the metal and this is one of the triumphs of the model.

The rollover protective structure (ROPS) is plastic. Excellent detail continues at the rear with lights, a fuel filler nozzle and a tiny towing hitch.

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