Caterpillar 972K Wheel Loader
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Cat 972K wheel loader which has been produced in China by Tonkin Replicas. The 972K is the largest of the three loader models produced from the mid-sized range with the smaller 950K and 966K also available.
The rear chassis has small service steps fitted to both sides behind the rear wheels with a rear counterweight that incorporates red and amber painted lights and a non-functional towing bracket. The main grill has a ridged finish with inset silver painted lights and the centrally located printed Cat logo.
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The engine bay casting has surface detailing of the various grills which have dimples to represent the perforated panels of the full sized machine. Rather than paint the individual holes, Tonkin has decided to paint the entire panel which looks OK
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The chassis has a fairly good range of steering movement at the articulating connection which is powered by hydraulic cylinders. A nice touch are the tiny printed safety markings |
The cabin interior has been modelled with a grey finished seat and black surrounds including the front console and side panels while the exterior is finished with metal grab rails and extending rear view mirrors which are fitted to the cabin frame. A grab rail is incorporated into the roof although this is made of plastic rather than metal and the finishing touch is the roof mounted aerial.
Metal safety railings have been fitted to the rear wheel arches and the upper surfaces have a rough anti-slip textured surface with plastic ladders added to both sides of the chassis leading up to the cabin. Work light modules have been added to the front chassis, complete with silver painted lenses while small lights are located just below the roof line front and back.
The tip cylinder has been fitted with flexible hoses which add to the realism and the loader arms can be raised up although the full range of movement is not possible while the tipping angle of the bucket is a little shallow.
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The model is fitted with a fusion quick coupler which operates be removing the metal pin to detach the straight edged material handling bucket which has some good surface detailing of the cutting edge.
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Tonkin has stated that they will release an accessory set at some point in the future with different work tools that will fit the 950K, 966K and 972K wheel loaders. |
The paint finish is good throughout with authentic placement of the Caterpillar logos and markings on the engine sides. The model is pictured below alongside the 966K XE highlighting the different counterweight design between the two versions.
