Volvo EC460C L Tracked Excavator
Presented here is the limited edition 1:50th scale Volvo EC460C L tracked excavator in the Van Dalen company colours from NZG. The Van Dalen company offer a total solution for groundworks, road building, civil engineering, waste & demolition activities and recycling. The company was founded in 1959 as a private transportation business which expanded through the sixties and seventies to include demolition and earthworks. Today, the company has a large fleet of modern vehicles and machinery and undertake a number of projects throughout the Netherlands. More details of the Van Dalen company can be found on their website.
Accurately scaled safety rails have been added to the model along with rear view mirrors and a counterweight mounted safety mirror. The cab exterior has integrated roof lights and roof window with a photo-etched windscreen wiper and amber beacon whilst the slightly tinted windows have printed rubber seal detailing for a more realistic look. You can just about make out the replicated cab interior through the tinted windows, with contoured seat and side console with joystick controls and systems display screen.
The rear counterweight casting has been accurately modelled with inset areas for the reflective panels and a non-functional counterweight installation system which is visible both below and above the model. The underside of the body has panel detailing for added realism which is good to see.
The opening engine compartment reveals a packed interior with the prominent Volvo branded engine block and cooling pipes all visible. The upper deck surfaces have been finished with dark grey paintwork with small black printed dots which give it an unusual appearance. The hydraulic distribution block has been replicated at the heart of the chassis with flexible piping placed on the rear of the boom
The undercarriage has been constructed with rotating lower rollers with the track frames having access steps with ridged grips cast into them. The drive sprocket has good tooth detailing with the fixing bolt detailing visible on the hub whilst the idler wheels are tensioned to keep the linked metal tracks taut. The triple grouser pads look good and use the familiar linking system whereby they clip into each other and use the tension to stay connected.
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The digging bucket fitted to the stick has some good casting detail including accurately shaped teeth with wear plate detailing between each tooth and side cutting plates. The range of movement of the bucket linkage is very realistic allowing the full movement of the full sized machine to be replicated which is good to see.
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Flexible hydraulic piping has been added to the boom and stick with crisply printed safety labels found at the top of the stick and the Van Dalen name and logo on the boom. The paint finish is very high, as expected from NZG and the model is secured in a two section clear plastic holder with outer cardboard box which keeps the model secure during shipping.
