Caterpillar 834 Wheel Dozer

The Caterpillar 834 wheel dozer in 1:48th scale is manufactured by CCM and is heavily based on their previously released 988 wheel loader model, sharing the castings for most of the rear chassis and operator's station with a completely new front chassis.

The rear egine compartment has open sides revealing the fully replicated engine within. The rear photo-etched radiator grill looks good with rear facing light clusters added to the side of the engine bay and a protective frame integrated into the rear counterweight. As with the 988, the curved wheel covers are hinged and pivot when the rear wheels make contact.

The open air operators station has been accurately modelled with the driver's seat, steering column and controls all added. While the cab mounting brackets are still there, the cab from the 988 wheel loader does not fit correctly as it does on the 988 and catches on the filter behind the driver's seat.

The front chassis frame has a block of weights which add to the look with both fixed and flexible hydraulic piping added for extra realism. The amount of movement of the blade is reasonable and the hydraulics are stiff enough for the blade to hold any position chosen. Accurately scaled grab rails are present on both sides of the deck with an access ladder fitted one one side of the chassis.

The underside of the model is also nicely detailed with a small linkage connecting the blade arms to the front axle along with the replicated drive shaft from the front axle to the transfer box. The large tyres have an authentic tread pattern with crisply detailed wheel hubs showing the bolt fixings.

The articulating frame has a good amount of movement with hydraulic hosing visible from the frame to the protection covers that are fitted to the dozer arms, leading to where the tilt cylinders are fitted.

The model is being made in a run of 1000 pieces and is presented in a quality cardboard box with inner polystyrene protection for the model. This is another great release from CCM and looks good alongside the 988 wheel loader.