Caterpillar 950GC Wheel Loader
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Caterpillar 950GC wheel loader which has been produced by Tonkin Replicas. The 950GC is specifically designed and developed for emerging markets and it is great to see Tonkin produce the model which features different castings to the 950K loader.
The rear of the model ha a large counterweight with integrated lights that have orange and red painted lenses with four indents simulating the large fixing bolts and an opening in the middle for towing purposes. While the counterweight looks great from the rear, the casting is hollow and this can be seen from the front which looks unfinished.
As with the 950K, the safety grab railings are made from metal which is great to see with added steps on both sides of the chassis and an articulating joint which offers a reasonable range of steering movement with the hydraulics mounted into the front section. Unfortunately, there are no hydraulic lines across the joint although small safety warning labels have been added which look good.
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The large black rear grill has an accurate ridge pattern with side grab handles added for servicing purposes, with the upper part of the counterweight having a textured anti-slip surface
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The cabin has integrated grab rails added to the frame with a front windscreen wiper and both forward and rear facing lights mounted below the roof. Metal arms hold the rear view mirrors on both sides. |
The loader arms are a different design to those on the 950K with a Z-bar tipping linkage and a pin-on toothed bucket that has a fairly reasonable range of movement although certainly not as good as the latest wheel loaders from Norscot. All the rivet heads have been painted which really does add to the appearance although the rivets used to join the arms to the inner cross member do tend to stand out despite being painted.
Overall, this is another good release from Tonkin Replicas although it could have done with a little extra work on the incomplete counterweight and the method of assembling the loader arms.
