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| The packaging is a
colossus. This is the inner box. |
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| All the parts out of
the box. The 495HR also comes with a spare set of tracks in
black, in the cardboard box. |
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| Warning notice by the
staircase. Click the photo to read it. |
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| The stairs lowered for
access. |
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| The electric feeder
cable boom resides below the huge body of the machine.
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| Excellent cab detail,
and a loudspeaker underneath. |
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| The undercarriage gives
the impression of tremendous power. |
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| Not as big as a house -
it's bigger. |
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| Floodlights have bulbs
and their angle can be adjusted. |
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| View from the top. |
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| 'DON'T BE STUPID! GET
A PROPER SIZE TRUCK!' |
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| Loading a
Liebherr T262 Mining Truck. |
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| The working discharge
door in action. |
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| Profile view. |
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Bucyrus International has a company history
dating back to 1880 and is based in Wisconsin, USA. It makes a
variety of mining equipment and the 495 Series are high
performance electric mining shovels, produced in two versions.
The 495HR is a hard rock version and the 495HF is a high
flotation version used where a low ground pressure is required
such as in oil sands excavation. The shovels are capable of
excavating 100 tonnes of material at a time and can load large
mining trucks in two or three passes. The dipper (shovel)
capacities range from 27-61m³ (35-80yd³).
Both versions of the 495 have been produced as 1:50 scale
versions by TWH, and are made in China. The 495HF is TWH model
011 and the 495HR, the subject of this review, is model 012.
Packaging
Even in 1:50 scale this is a huge model so it is no surprise
that it is delivered in a truly colossal box. It is black with
TWH and Bucyrus markings but in fact this is only an outer
container because inside separated by spacers is an inner box
which is a giant picture sleeve enclosing two expanded
polystyrene trays. All this packaging works a treat though as
the review model had no defects, or missing parts. Care has to
be taken removing the model from the box as there are plenty of
separate pieces to the packaging and its worth marking these up
as you go so that the model can be put back in the box again if
required. Also the model is secured by a large tie to the tray
underneath so it does not lift out as expected. The tie has to
be unwound to remove the model from the tray.
Included with the model is a 24 page brochure. This has a
couple of pages of facts about the 495 series shovels, but most
is devoted to the history of the Bucyrus company and the entire
product range. It is an interesting read.
Separate from the model two winding handles are provided
together with some handrails which have to be fitted. A simple
instruction sheet would have been a useful inclusion with the
model. Also provided with the HR version is a small box with a
separate pair of crawler tracks in black which can be fitted as
an option to the primer coloured tracks that are fitted.
Detail
Starting with the lower works, the crawler tracks are suitably
massive. The pads are large heavy links which are individually
pinned together. Each set of tracks is carried on huge track
frames which have various bolt, lifting eye and bearing
details. Between the track frames is some extraordinary detail
and heavy construction. At one end there are huge track drive
boxes with heavy interconnections and various cables of
different gauges and types. There is also a boom with a feeder
cable to trail off to an electricity supply.
Above the turntable there is a large slewing motor on each side
of the model. Although this is a hard to see part of the model
without getting your eyes to crawler track level, the detail is
outstanding. Numerous cables are run and clipped at various
points. On one side the access walkway runs under the body
complete with mesh floor and handrails and there is an adjacent
radiator grille.
The main body of the machine is one of the most imposing pieces
of mass produced 1:50 scale modelling available at the time of
the review. Starting at the bottom of the cab side, a boarding
ladder has excellent mesh tread steps and this detail is
reproduced throughout the model together with yellow metal hand
railing which is all in a realistic thickness for the scale.
Excellent quality graphics result in legible warning notices and
these are sprinkled across the model. The walkway leads up
stairs to a mid level which has orange beacon lights and a horn
loudspeaker, together with a door and access ladder to the
dipper flap release winch. A pair of floodlights hang down from
under the cab and these are beautifully modelled with the bulbs
clearly visible inside the lamps. More floodlights like these
are located at various points around the model.
Another flight of stairs leads to the cab deck. Here, first
class air-conditioning machinery is modelled complete with photo
etched grilles and cabling. Doors lead into the cab and this is
highly detailed too. The operator's station has joystick and
pedal controls, and tiny graphics are visible on the
workstation. An additional seat is provided and behind there
are various cabinets as well as a refreshment station where a
coffee machine and microwave oven are visible. Outside, the cab
has a windscreen wiper, mirror and fire extinguisher.
The roof of the machine has various access hatches detailed
within the casting. A detailed blue generator complete with
high voltage sign sits in the middle of the roof with three
giant filters behind. Handrails surround the roof area and
further ladders with safety cages ascend the A-frame where the
strops supporting the boom are attached. These strops perfectly
mirror those on the real machine with an appropriate
steel-coloured choice of thread.
On the opposite side of the body from the cab a vertical ladder
provides access to further walkways and these include a large
convex mirror at the front which allows the operator to see if
anyone is on the walkway from his position in the cab. In fact
on the model looking through the operator's cab at the mirror
you can see how this works. This side of the model is where the
winding keys are inserted to operate the model. One is a hole
in the body and the second is skillfully designed to be accessed
through the window of a doorway.
The back of the model is a massive wall of metal with the
Bucyrus name cast in relief within the counterweight. A pair of
floodlights and a vents complete the detail in this
area. The boom is of suitably heavy box beam construction and
includes stairways which lead to the top where two pairs of very
large pulley wheels carry the rope for raising and lowering the
dipper. The tubular handle consists of a silver tube which has
a pulley mechanism at one end and a complex arrangement for
holding the dipper at the other end.
The dipper is a very heavy piece of modelling work as befits the
495. A pair of excellent and fully linked pulley connections
hold the dipper, and heavy duty riveted connections fix the
dipper to the tubular handle. The dipper on the 495HR is the
80yd³ version whereas the 495HF version has the smaller 59yd³ 'FastFil'
version. It has very thick walls and at the cutting edge has
ten teeth which are complete with rivet details. The door at
the rear has heavy structural members finely recreated.
Features
The tracks on the model work really well considering the heavy
weight resting on them and this is in part helped by the working
rollers on the track frame. Collectors will also be pleased
with the addition of a spare set of tracks in black, which are
relatively straightforward to fit as the track sprockets are
spring loaded.
The electric feeder cable boom attached to the lower works can
be rotated to different angles. Access to the machine is
provided via a pair of ladders. One is a stairway which is
controlled by a hydraulic cylinder and this mechanism works, and
the second is a vertical ladder which can be lowered and raised.
The two doors to the operator's cab can be opened, and the
various floodlights around the model can all be adjusted for
angle.
The main functions of the shovel work well. It rotates smoothly
although care needs to exercised in terms of not pushing on the
handrails to turn the model as these will likely bend before the
mass of the model gives in to moving. The dipper functions are
operated using two long keys supplied with the model. One
operates the raising and lowering of the dipper. This has a brake and the key has to be pushed in to
operate it. A very good job has been done to keep the pair of
crowd ropes taut, although a little more string on the drums
would have allowed the dipper to take up poses at maximum
extension. The tubular handle is worked by a separate winch at
the front which is frictional and controls it well.
The dipper door can be opened by turning the small winch at the
base of the boom and this mechanism is very pleasant to
operate. Closing the door gives a satisfying 'clunk'.
Quality
It is easy to view this model purely in terms of its bulk and
weight but this would do it a disservice. This is a very high
quality model which is superbly detailed and gives the feeling
that it has been designed with particular care and attention.
The details and castings are all first rate, with graphics and
paintwork that enhance the model. Functionality is very good,
with smoothly operating parts not troubled by the significant
weight and loads on them.
Price
This model is of course not cheap and will be beyond the range
of some collectors. For those that invest however it is very
good value for money as it offers a great combination of size
and detail.
Overall
Bucyrus have commissioned TWH to deliver a high quality mass
produced mining shovel model and the objective has been fully
delivered. The model is equally impressive from a distance as
it is when inspecting details close up. Many interesting poses
can be created and it looks very good when paired with a
suitable mining truck.
This is one of those models that will impress anyone - even
those with no interest in the subject. Overall, at the time of
the review, this model is in the top echelon of scale models
reviewed by Cranes Etc and without doubt is an outstanding
model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in 2006. The following versions have
been produced: Model 011 495HF in Bucyrus colours, run of
1500; Model 011 495HF in Syncrude colours (red), run of 500;
Model 012 495HR in Bucyrus colours, run of 1500. The 495HF
'Fastfil' bucket is available separately from
Sword Models and has been produced in a run of 1000. In July
2008 a second production run in four variations was announced
and the ED version - white with blue stripe - is reviewed
here, and the other versions are as follows.
CV - white with maroon stripe: 79” shoe pads with 82 cubic yard
dipper, 3 stack air filter system, cable reel electrical
connection, 2 additional counterweights. LB - orange and blue:
79” shoe pads with 59 cubic yard dipper, Ten Kay air cleaner
system, stinger electrical connection. FD - white with green
stripe: 102” shoe pads with 82 cubic yard dipper, 3 stack air
cleaner system, stinger electrical connection, 2 additional
counterweights.
In 2011 Caterpillar completed the acquisition of Bucyrus and
the large mining shovels were rebranded as Caterpillar 7495
machines. TWH released
Caterpillar versions of the
mining shovel models in late 2012 in a run of 400
models each of the HR and HF versions.
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| Inside, the protection
for the model is very good. |
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| Sometimes size is
everything.
|
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| Pull the cable and to
ask for the stairs to be lowered. |
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| Excellent tracks and
frames.
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| A multi storey model.
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| Lots to see on the
roof.
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| The size of this
machine is apparent. The very imposing dimensions cannot fail to
impress.
|
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| Drop down ladder works.
|
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| All things on this
model are huge. |
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| Excellent heavy looking
strops supporting the boom. |
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| The Bucyrus 495HR stood
by a
Liebherr 996 and
JCB 220 for size comparison. |
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| 'Excellent details even
in the hard to see areas. |
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| 'You got it in there,
you can get it out!' The
Komatsu WH613 fits in the shovel. |
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