1:50th Scale Komatsu 960E Mining Truck
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Komatsu 960E mining truck from First Gear. The 960E is a 360 short ton electric drive hauler with an 18 cylinder two-stage turbocharged Komatsu SSDA18V170 diesel engine generating an enormous 3500hp coupled with a GE dual IGBT AC electric drive system. The all-terrain hydropneumatic suspension gives a comfortable ride from the spacious cab with four post ROPS/FOPS safety protection. The engine has been designed and developed by the Industrial Power Alliance, a joint venture between Komatsu and Cummins that has resulted in a very efficient powerplant for today's mining applications.
The ergonomically designed cab offers excellent visibility and has been authentically reproduced, complete with a detailed interior, roof mounted lifting eyes and front windscreen wipers. Large mirrors have been integrated into the safety railings on each side of the model and have a silver painted surface. The fire suppressant equipment has also been modelled with the red extinguishers located behind the cab.
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The upper deck houses several large cabinets and air filtration system with accurately scaled metal safety rails fitted along the edges and anti-slip floor panels all replicated.
The large radiator grill is constructed from a fine mesh panel which allows the radiator block behind the panel to be seen. Integrated work lights have been added to the frame with the main access ladder fixed diagonally across the front. |
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The silver finished twin exhaust stacks are located at the rear of the deck and connect to the engine block hich has been replicated inside the engine bay. |
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The chassis frame houses the main drive systems and engine with fuel and hydraulic tanks mouted to the frame sides. A nice touch ion the model are the access steps with grab rails which actually fold down during maintenance.
Another nice touch on the model is that addition of semi flexible mud flaps which are connected to the dump bed using small metal loops. Small mud flaps have also been added on the front surface of the body for that extra bit of realism. |
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The 3500hp Komatsu SSDA18V170 diesel engine has been authentically replicated and mounted in the heart of the chassis and has a very good level of visible detail. The large cooling fan dominates the front of the engine bay and fold down access steps have been added on both sides of the frame, just like on the full sized truck. |
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The underside of the model is just as detailed with the front axle steering fully replicated and functional using small hydraulics to achieve a decent degree of turn. The sump of the engine is also visible along with the replicated GTA-39 alternator leading to the GDY108 induction traction motors housed in the rear axle assembly. The rear axle features working suspension and the large 56/80 R63 rubber tyres have an intricate tread pattern moulded into the surface with a pronounced sidewall bulge adding to the realistic appearance.
The dump bed can be raised and utilised two large, three-stage hydraulics which are stiff enough to allow the bed to be left in the raised position. Linkages on the underside of the bed allow two metal safety ropes to be connected which are used on the full sized truck to keep the bed raised during maintenance periods and it is great that First Gear have included these in the box. Also included are two plastic wheel chocks which are ideal to keep the model stationary on the shelf.
First Gear have produced a very good and realistic replica of the Komatsu 960E which has more than enough detail for collectors to be very happy with the results. The paint finish is crisp and even and while plastic has been used on some areas of the model, the colour match is excellent and it is hard to see which parts are plastic and which are metal. The model has a nice heavy weight and feels sturdy and well constructed.
