Rabu, 24 Oktober 2012

1:50 Scale Model Caterpillar 784C with Towhaul RGS-225


Presented here is the 1:50th scale Caterpillar 784C prime mover with Towhaul RGS-225 lowboy trailer. The first towhaul trailer was produced in 1990 and today, the trailer is in use in mines throughout the world. The unique design of the gooseneck allows connecting / disconnecting of the trailer in about 90 seconds thanks to the grab hook design, even if the ground is not level. The RGS-225 has a capacity to transport machinery up to 250 tons in weight.

The front of the model has a textured cooling grill and access steps rising across the front of the engine bay. The bumper has four work lights with painted lenses along with accurately scaled metal safety railings and access steps. The casting even caters for the front mud flaps which have been painted on to give a realistic look. The front safety railings on the model are made of metal and there is a hinge on one of the cross sections which allow it to swing open to access the top deck from the vertical ladder, as is found on the 785D mining truck.

The front of the model has a textured cooling grill and access steps rising across the front of the engine bay. The bumper has four work lights with painted lenses along with accurately scaled metal safety railings and access steps. The casting even caters for the front mud flaps which have been painted on to give a realistic look. The front safety railings on the model are made of metal and there is a hinge on one of the cross sections which allow it to swing open to access the top deck from the vertical ladder, as is found on the 785D mining truck.

The upper deck has several components fitted including filtration units and cylinder. The side mounted mirror is hinged and can be positioned in the folded or extended position. The large mirror fitted to the drivers side has a silver painted surface to simulate a reflective mirror and is fixed in place.

The cab interior has been replicated with steering wheel and drivers seat visible through the clear windows. Grab rails have been added to the cab frame, both at the front and across the rear of the cab and the casting has crisp door frame detailing.

The rear of the chassis has a frame with two stiff hydraulic cylinders which are used to raise the gooseneck during loading / unloading of the trailer and these are functional on the model and have flexible plastic hoses fitted which travel to the hydraulic distribution system mounted between the fuel / hydraulic tanks. The trucks frame has work lights with painted lenses fitted at a crossing 45 degree angle to give good coverage of the gooseneck area during poor lighting conditions to ensure a quick link up. Hydraulic hosing is also present on the gooseneck to the large lift cylinders and also to flexible piping which connects to the trailer once connected up.

 The trailer is very wide allowing a number of display possibilities including dozers, trucks, shovels and wheel loaders to be positioned on the bed surface. The length of the trailer allows for the Caterpillar 994F or Letourneau L1850 to be displayed perfectly as these two models are at the top weight limit for the trailer.

The rear of the trailer has a visible frame section with support bars and cast towing loops along with four large, flexible rubber mud guards. The panels over the rear wheels have lift up front covers along with cast steps on the central structure and rear facing brake and indicator lights are visible.









The four large wheels at the rear of the trailer have a detailed tread pattern with yellow wheel hubs which have accurately cast surface detailing.









The access ladders on each side of the trailer bed have accurately scaled black grab rails and tie down shackle detailing has been cast into the side frames of the bed







The front of the bed has a ramp with raised bars cast into the surface for added traction for loading or unloading machinery.
The main hook bar is cast into the trailer frame and this is where the gooseneck hooks connect to raise the bed off the ground
The wooden bed panels on the trailer are made from plastic with simulated wood texturing






There is an additional metal plate fitted under the ramp for added strength and the small panel cast into the side of the ramp has fine tampo printed text which is almost readable.



The 785D mining truck also looks good as a load but the trailer is not usually used for transporting haul trucks. On the real machine, the gooseneck can be used for towing stranded haul trucks but this ability is not modelled on the RGS-225 which is slightly dissapointing.


The Caterpillar 994F wheel loader is about the largest model that can be realistically transported on the RGS-225 trailer and makes a very good combination.

One dissapointing aspect on the model is that there is no engine detailing. This is not much of an issue on the 785D as the dump bed covers most of the rear chassis but on the towhaul there is nothing present to obscure the engine area and it is a shame that Norscot could not have added a moulded engine block. Having said that, the model is very large and impressive and looks great with a load on the bed and it is good to see that Norscot are looking to work with other companies to extend the range of models produced. Hopefully, Norscot will consider other trailer designs which can be used with the 784C prime mover including bottom dump trailers and water bowsers.



The packaging that the model arrives in is massive with a large amount of space around the model. This should allow the model to arrive in perfect condition but the shear size will be a headacke to model dealers who have to ship them to customers. 




 The inner packaging consists of moulded clear plastic which follows the contours of the model. Wire ties are used to secure the model to the cardboard base and the sturdy cardboard box has an open front and top window. The model is available from the towhaul online shop in a towhaul printed box or can be ordered from all Norscot model dealers in a Caterpillar printed box.

When the gooseneck is connected to the trailer, the two main hydraulic lift cylinders are not stiff enough to hold the trailer in a raised position and because of this, the gooseneck frame catches on the rear wheels of the 784C tractor. (Shown left in the lowered position)
I originally reported this as a dissapointment and yet it would appear that Norscot have provided a solution to this. In the box, there is an instruction sheet which details how to secure the trailer in the raised position.
This instruction sheet was missing from the sample model reviewed here and i would like to thank fellow collector Rick Scoville for pointing this out.







Keeping the gooseneck in the raised position is achieved by removing the plastic support piece which is fitted on the underside of the trailer between the rear wheels.









Once the gooseneck is connected and raised, this support piece clips onto the pistons (Shown on the left), keeping them extended and allowing the gooseneck frame to remain in the raised position which allows the frame to clear the rear wheels of the 784C, allowing full articulation between tractor and trailer.





Source: MINIATURE CONSTRUCTION WORLD

Jumat, 05 Oktober 2012

1:50 Scale Model Caterpillar 993K Wheeled Loader

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Caterpillar 993K wheeled loader from Norscot. The 993K is the latest addition to Caterpillar's wheel loader range and has been designed to load 777 and 785 haul trucks, sporting the C32 Acert diesel engine to give an impressive 950hp.



Access to the cab is by the walkways integrated into the rear wheel arches which have metal safety railings around the rear counterweight and up the sides. The side engine panels have a textured grill pattern cast into them and the top of the engine bay has two large exhaust stacks fitted.


The cab interior has been replicated and is visible through the clear glazed windows. Work lights are integrated into the cab roof with rear view mirrors extending from the cab frame. Large mirrors have also been integrated into the safety railings on each side and have a silver painted surface.













Metal safety rails have been fitted all around the upper deck and access walkways.











The large radiator grill has a fine mesh texture with rear facing work lights on each side of the engine compartment.



The large tyres fitted to the model have a shallow moulded tread pattern with deep outer side walls. The inside of the tyre is a different diameter and this does look a little strange when the loader arms are raised, revealing the inner edge of the front tyres (as pictured below).









The front axle looks a little strange, only connected to the chassis through the central support column.











The hydraulically operated articulating frame has some good details including the replicated driveshaft and side mounted easy access service cabinet.









The bucket has wear plate detailing on the underside with accurately cast teeth and ribbed top section. The high lift boom with Z-bar linkage has been accurately replicated but on the sample model, the arms do not lift quite as high as would be expected.



This is a good model with some nice detailing which fits well between the 994F and 992G. The paint finish is good with accurate placement of the "Power Edge" markings.


Pictured above loading the 777D haul truck with arms fully raised and pictured below loading the 785D haul truck which it can just about achieve but could have done with a little more height in the loader arms to tip realistically.


Source: MINIATURE CONSTRUCTION WORLD

Senin, 01 Oktober 2012

1:50 Scale Model Caterpillar 797F Mining Truck


Presented here is the 1:50th scale model of the flagship Caterpillar 797F mining truck.


The picture above shows the sheer size of this behemoth with a 1:50th scale Bymo figure to give a size comparison.


The top deck features a large opening panel which reveals the internal engine components.



The two large exhaust ports are visible at the rear of the top deck
The side access ladders have a folding section which can be lowered (as shown above) for easy operator access. The accurately scaled handrails are all made from metal and give a realistic feel to the model

 The dump body can be raised and the two hydraulic pistons feature a two stage action allowing a very realistic angle of tip on the dump bed when it is fully raised. This is a most welcomed feature on the model and something which is sadly missing on the 772 quarry truck Norscot have recently released. The cylinders are stiff so the bed can be positioned at any position chosen.

The large tank fitted to the chassis has flexible hose and ribbing detailing and the opposite side of the chassis has fixed piping and simulated mudguards fitted to the underside of the dump body.
The main drive components have been replicated to the rear drive motors and are visible between the main chassis frame. 
The large front wheels feature working steering with internal hub detailing visible. The replicated engine block is visible between the front wheel supports and side mounted piping has been fitted which adds to the realism.
The rear drive motor housing has cast access panel detailing with working suspension jacks, rear facing lights with painted lenses and enormous tyres with an accurate moulded tread pattern.




The large opening engine panel reveals the top of the engine block along with the cooling pipework and filtration components. This is a nice touch on the model and the panel will remain in the raised position.
The surface of the upper deck has a textured pattern cast into the panels to simulate the anti-slip surface found on the full sized truck along with accurately scaled metal safety railings which have been added around the deck and access ladders



The large cab has four lifting tabs fitted to the roof with grab rails and door panel detailing. The operator's station has been accurately reproduced with steering wheel, console and both drivers and passengers seats all visible through the clear glazed windows.


The underside of the dump body has debris removal bars fitted along with two safety tie ropes which are used on the real truck to keep the body fully raised during maintenance. The ropes fitted to the model can actually be unhooked from the bed and they even have the red shackles connecting them to the bed frame. This is another nice touch on the model.

The picture above shows the underneath of the model where the steering mechanism and chassis frame can be seen.

 The dump body has detailed wear protection plated fitted to the bottom surface which look like they are made of plastic.













 The edge has a square cast pattern leading to the edge of the body and the underside has detailed frame ribbing which adds greatly to the level of realism.











The Caterpillar 797F is the flagship product in the Caterpillar line up and the 1:50th scale model from Norscot has captured the shear size very well. The paint finish is good, although the paint finish is a high gloss finish so looks a little too shiny. The model is packed well in a sturdy cardboard box with clear front and top section. The inner packaging is made from clear plastic and moulded to the shape of the model to prevent shipping damage.
 Picture above shows the size comparison between the 797F, 785D and 772 models.

Source: MINIATURE CONSTRUCTION WORLD