Volvo EC480D Tracked Excavator
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Volvo EC480D tracked excavator from Motorart. On first glance, the model looks very good although under closer inspection, it is lacking in some finer details now expected on the latest releases.
The cab interior has been modelled and is visible through the glazed windows which have black printed window seals. The door handle has a tiny printed Volvo logo with the Volvo name printed across the top of the windscreen where a plastic wiper is also fitted, while the roof has a tinted window.
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The body sides have textured grills cast into the surface which have been highlighted with black paint, although the edges are a little smudged and are not very crisp .
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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. |
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The range of movement of the bucket linkage is authentic, mimicking that of the full sized machine fairly well while the hydraulics are reasonably stiff, allowing the boom to remain in position. It is a shame that the silver headed rivets have not been painted over. Flexible hydraulic piping has been added to the boom and stick with the addition of auxiliary piping which is nice to see. |
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The safety railings fitted to the model are accurately scaled plastic but are fairly flimsy which is a shame. Safety and rear view mirrors have been added and there is a small cover centrally located on the counterweight where the rear view camera is mounted.
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Hydraulic hose detailing has been added to the back of the boom with the distribution block also modelled along with the slewing motors. The upper deck area has a textured anti-slip surface. |
The opening engine cover reveals a plastic molding of the engine block although this is plain grey plastic with no decoration which again is a little surprising considering the nicely decorated engines of other Volvo models. The counterweight has accurately captured the contours of the full sized machine with a non functioning lifting system also modelled, topped with small safety warning labels.
The track frames have good definition of the lower rollers and three upper rollers with integrated steps and triple grouser track pads which are quite narrow in comparison with most other excavator models.
The paint finish overall is of a good quality however on the sample reviewed here, there are some small printing issues which are unusual for Motorart, The small safety markings on the stick and rear counterweight are authentic with a crisply printed VOLVO logo on the boom.
