Kramer Allrad 350 Wheel Loader

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Kramer Allrad 350 wheel loader with pallet forks from Universal Hobbies. Two versions of the 350 mini-loader have been produced, one with enclosed cab and bucket and the open ROPs and pallet fork version reviewed here.

The Rops safety bar is located behind the seat and has front and rear facing work lights and an amber beacon with the upper and lower sections of the safety bar joined with screws. The casting in this area looks a little overscaled although the bar can be folded back some way to reduce the height of the model. The rear body of the model has an inset radiator grill complete with intricate printed texture with protruding counterweight, integrated towing hitch and tiny printed Kramer logo.

The single loader arm design features the lift and tilt hydrailics mounted below with a linkage to the work tool and this has been accurately captured on the model with the forks lifting to a good height and a reasonable amount of tip. The use of fixed and flexible hydraulic piping is a good addition which really enhances the realism. It is also good to see a different attachment fitted to the model, highlighting the versatility of the machine.

The open design of the operators area is a nice touch and shows an amazing level of detail for such a small model. The driver's seat has a logo embossed into the surfaces with a side console featuring highlighted switched and controls along with the joystick boom control. Foot pedals have been replicated, as has the central steering panel with steering wheel and side control lever.

The tyres fitted to the model differ from those fitted to the cab version, with an intricate tractor style tread pattern for good grip. The silver wheel hubs are secured to the axles with small screws and both axles have linked steering with limited movement, again demonstrating the functionality of the full sized machine.

The paint finish is very good with crisp markings on the body and loader arms. The model is fixed to a plastic base with removable clear plastic cover and can be removed by unscrewing the two fixing screws and removing the wire ties. This is a good way of packaging the model and is less likely to be damaged during shipping.