Komatsu D65PX-17 Bulldozer

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Komatsu D65PX-17 bulldozer from First Gear. The D65-17 is powered by a Stage IIIB/Tier 4i turbo-charged direct fuel injection Komatsu SAA6D114E-5 diesel engine delivering 219hp. The automatic transmission ensures the best gearing ratio for the dozing operation being undertaken and combined with the automatic lock-up torque converter, eliminates unnecessary power loss resulting in reduced fuel consumption. Different blade and rear equipment options are available including the INPAT blade modelled here for maximum versatility.

The track frames are slightly different from the EX version to cater for the wider track pads and the ommission of the outer blade arms, as the blade is connected to a frame mounted to the chassis on the inside of the track frames.

The track frames have some good casting details along the lower edge with simulated bottom rollers while the two upper rollers rotate. The rear final drive casing is incorporated into the frame casting which is a little dissapointing, although typical from First Gear on all their dozer replicas. The drive wheels have very fine bolt and tooth detailing and the linked tracks rotate well.

The model has a number of grab rails along both sides of the engine and rear bodywork with a textured upper surface on the entrance to the cabin which has been fully replicated inside with a dark grey contoured interior casting incorporating the drivers seat and arm rest mounted controls.

The cab exterior has raised front facing work lights with decorated lenses and highlighted front and rear windscreen wipers with the Komatsu name printed across the upper section of the rear window and tiny silver printing of the Komatsu name above the doors.

The rear of the model sports a drawbar with a shovel holder fixed to the rear fuel tank while the front of the model has a straight INPAT dozer blade which has authentically captured the movement of the real machine, from the height adjustment of the blade to the angular mechanism that allows the blade to be tilted for camber work.

The paint finish is very good with authentic printing of the Komatsu logos, machine designation and small safety labels. While the model looks very good, there is a fair amount of plastic used on the model which, in my opinion, is a little dissapointing from First Gear. The D65PX is pictured below alongside the D65EX bulldozer and PC360-10 tracked excavator, all three models produced by First Gear.