Case CX800 'Demolition' Tracked Excavator

Presented here is the new Case CX800 tracked excavator model with demolition and backhoe booms in 1:50th scale from Conrad.

The undercarriage of the model is the same as the previously released CX800 with individually linked plastic tracks. The track frames can be extended by about 8mm to provide a more stable platform. The upper body casting has been altered to allow the cab to be tilted to about 25 degrees. The cab also has debris protection over the roof and front windscreen. Additional weight has been placed inside the rear counterweight to prevent the model from toppling over when the demolition boom is fully extended.

The model is supplied with a self assembly cradle to hold the demolition boom when not connected to the model. It consists of four pieces with a separate stand for the backhoe digging boom. The booms are connected to the carrier by hooking the top pins on the boom and then using the plastic pins to lock the boom in place.

Caution needs to be taken when raising the boom as the main boom cylinders have been manufactured to a different specification and they are very stiff and may break if care is not taken.
This technique has been used on the large mobile cranes in the past to prevent the boom from lowering and over zealous collectors have ended up with a broken model. Be warned !!!

The demolition boom consists of a three piece arrangement and two telescoping sections providing a minimum height of 520mm and a fully extended height of 730mm. The working end of the boom has a new style pulveriser attachment instead of the usual cutter crusher tools found on the other demolition models that have been made. The backhoe digging boom can be attached to the carrier in one of two configurations with the supplied plastic pins. 

The finish of the model is to Conrad's usually high standard with crisp markings on the booms and body castings. Conrad deserve congratulating on another supperb model, and the hard work undertaken to get the model to the Intermat show on the first day. The next batch of models will be changed slightly with the addition of individually linked metal tracks replacing the plastic tracks on the Intermat released models.