Caterpillar D8T Bulldozer

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Cat D8T bulldozer from Norscot. The D8T is a Tier 4i / Stage IIIB emission compliant offering with a C15 ACERT diesel engine generating 348hp. With electro-hydraulic controls, precision and response are improved and features like the Enhanced Auto Shift increase productivity and reduce operating costs. The tractor has an operating weighs of just under 40 ton with a type 8SU blade and single shank ripper.

The model is visually an improvement over their previous dozer models in my opinion with added levels of detail, like the safety railings and platform access to the filler cap on the left side of the upper deck and the grab rails added to the dozer arms for added safety when entering / leaving the machine. Unfortunately, these are plastic and flexible which is a slight dissapointment.

The undercarriage is rigid with track frames that house linked metal tracks which are tensioned and rotate smoothly. The main sprocket wheel has good surface detailing of the final drive housing with the lower roller detailing integrated into the frame casting. Quality control is missing here, as the tracks have been fitted backwards on the sample reviewed.

The front blade rises to a fairly realistic height with tilt cylinders which hardly have any movement, at least on the sample reviewed here. One nice addition are the flexible hose lines to the lift cylinders which have integrated front facing light housings with silver painted lenses.

The rear of the model houses a single shank ripper which can be adjusted in both height and angle of the ripper tooth although the range of movement is rather limited and the single shank is integrated into the casting and cannot be adjusted seperately.

The cabin interior has been replicated and decorated in a grey colour scheme which contrasts well with the black frame. The roof houses an air conditioning unit with work lights integrated into the ROPs structure with rear facing lights mounted above the fuel tank.

The various engine grills are nicely highlighted with a textured pattern cast into the surface with added safety grab rails. The paint finish is reasonable although on some areas of the model, the paint is a little thick and hides some of the casting detail. The Caterpillar markings are crisply applied and look good.