Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

Presented here is the Caterpillar 374D tracked excavator in 1:50th scale from Norscot. Weighing in at around 72 ton, the 374D tracked excavator is powered by a Caterpillar C15 ACERT diesel engine generating 476hp that provides plenty of power for any digging application. It is good to see Norscot produce the model based on the mass excavation specification of the machine which makes an interesting change.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The undercarriage has individually linked metal tracks with sprung loaded idler wheels and grouser pad detailing with a fairly detailed undercarriage and track frame casting showing the access steps and ground rollers. The tracks rotate freely and have an authentic curve along the top, supported by three non functional rollers.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The new styled cab has a replicated interior including the drivers seat and joystick controls with both roof and front window debris protection screens which is an interesting choice to add to the model. The side body casting has integrated access steps leading up to the top engine housing, complete with safety railings and an integrated catwalk along the side of the body, complete with a replicated anti-slip surface.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The body casting details the various door panels with black and yellow painted grab rails running along the top edges. The top engine cover has bolt and hinge detailing with cut out cooling grills and plastic exhaust pipe while a catwalk is integrated into the casting along the side of the body for easy maintenance.

The back of the boom has integrated pipework cast into the surface with flexibly yellow piping leading to the hydraulics. More flexible piping has been added between the boom and stick, including an auxiliary line which would be used for powering hydraulic attachments such as a hammer. It is good to see Norscot put the extra effort into adding this detailing.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The boom and stick have a very realistic range of movement and are modelled on the mass excavation boom option of the machine. This is certainly good to see and gives the model a more robust and aggressive look.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The bucket fitted to the model has been very nicely detailed. Based on the XD extreme duty design, the four large pointed teeth have a realistic contour with blades located between the teeth that have small dimples simulating the fixing bolts. The sides of the bucket also exhibit the replicated wear plates found on the full sized bucket.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

The paint finish is very good and it is hard to determine which parts are plastic and which are metal. This also goes for the handrails which curiously are a mixture of metal and plastic with metal railings fitted to the cab side of the model and plastic ones fitted to the opposite side (Pictured above). The heads of the rivets have been painted, as now expected from Norcot and the printing of the Power Edge design and Cat markings are executed well.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator

Many collectors have cried out for a larger tracked excavator in 1:50th scale, specifically the Cat 385/Cat 390 and while we are patiently waiting for such a release, the 374D will fill the gap nicely and is another welcome addition to the Caterpillar model range.

Caterpillar 374D Tracked Excavator