We are excited to announce the most recent addition to our 1:24 scale diecast model line, the Cat^® 395 Excavator. Two versions will be produced, a Mass Excavator (ME) with short boom and stick as well as a General Purpose (GP) with longer boom and stick.

The Cat^® 395 weighs in at 207,400 pounds (roughly 94 metric tons) and is powered by a Cat^® C18 engine producing 542 net horsepower at 1,900 rpm. The C18 is an 18.1-liter inline six with a 145 mm bore and 183 mm stroke. The machine is rated to work up to 9,840 feet above sea level without de-rating, in ambient temperatures ranging from -0.4°F up to 125°F.

With fast cycle times and powerful digging forces, bucket penetration is easy, and maximum digging depths range from 23.7 ft up to 38.5 ft depending on boom and stick configuration. Compared to the 390F it replaces, the 395 delivers 10 percent more swing torque and 10 percent more stick force, along with up to twice the structural durability. Booms, sticks, and upper and lower frames are reinforced with baffle plates in high-stress areas to improve the machine’s strength-to-weight ratio without adding unnecessary mass. The heavy-duty undercarriage features thick track links with large bolt joints, large-diameter track roller shafts, and grease-sealed track pins and bushings to extend service life and reduce travel noise. Bucket capacities run up to 6.8 cubic yards in standard-duty configurations or 8.5 cubic yards in mass-ex configurations, and Advansys bucket tips can be swapped with a simple lug wrench — no hammer or special tools required.

The 395 also carries the full suite of Cat^® next-generation technology. Cat^® Grade with 2D comes standard, along with Payload for real-time load weighing, Swing Assist for automated swing stops in trenching and truck-loading applications, and Operator Coaching to flag efficiency and wear-reduction opportunities in the cab. An integrated vehicle health management system alerts operators to service needs, and VisionLink remote monitoring provides fleet-wide data insights. Together these features help operators make informed decisions, improve jobsite efficiency, increase productivity, and return home safely every day. It is the top choice in its size class.

While it’s still too early to confirm pricing, production numbers, or availability date for these limited-edition models, we’ll be sure to share updates here as soon as we can. If you’d like to be among the first to secure one, or more, you can click here to add your name to the request list.

The post New Model Announcement: 1:24 Cat<sup class='superscript'>®</sup> 395 Excavator – Die-cast appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

Like its predecessor the 657B, these machines are rated at carrying 32 cubic yards struck/44 cubic yards heaped. Features of the 657E include an enhanced operator’s cab, hydraulic servo-steering, smooth shifting 8 speed automatic transmission (with individual clutch modulation), electronic monitoring system, and Cat’s mastered cushion hitch to absorb bouncing and rough haul road conditions.

The optional push/pull arrangement allows for multiple machines to hook up and load each other. This process is accomplished by the rear machine lowering its bail (the large bar located on the front of the machine) onto the hook that’s on the back of the front machine. The front machine lowers its bowl, and the rear machine then uses the large push cushion centered on its front bumper to push load the front scraper. Once full the front machine raises its bowl and the rear scraper lowers its bowl, the front scraper now pull loads the rear machine. After getting pull loaded the rear scraper will detach its bail and complete the process. This method eliminates the need for a dozer to push the machines and increases production cycle times.

Even with these machines approaching 40 years old many can still be found around the globe working at mines and construction sites every day. Our detailed 1:48 scale diecast model is in tribute to these hard working beasts. We still have a few of our limited run of six hundred 657E’s in stock so don’t miss your once in a lifetime opportunity to add one to your collection (along with a 651E since only four hundred were made) before they are all gone!

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Models will be shipped in order of receipt of payment, so, if you haven’t already, make sure to call in and take care of payment at your earliest convenience.

(503) 626-6395

The post Cat<sup class='superscript'>®</sup> 983B Track-Type Loader Models Have Arrived at CCM appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

Although they might seem inconsequential at first glance, the markings and paint on a scale model are like icing on a cake.  When they are right, they enhance the enjoyment of the final product. When they are wrong, they can have a negative impact disproportionate to their size. At CCM we seek the most realism we can achieve in our models and that includes these tiny details. In this Behind the Scenes installment we will look at some of the challenges in this part of our process.

Model numbers, company logos, warning labels, and safety callouts—all are markings commonly seen on the real machines. For modern equipment, the placement and specifications for these are usually straightforward and easy to come by, as manufacturers such as Caterpillar have digital artwork that we can reduce to the proper scale.

A Cat 777 Haul Truck on location where we conducted our machine survey. Not many markings left on this one.

Vintage machines are the real challenge. Construction and agricultural equipment sees hard use, and over the course of forty or fifty years warning labels face a life of abrasion, fading from the sun, and other abuse. If an old machine gets repainted, those factory-adhered labels are almost never re-applied. Most often it is only the machine numbers that find their way back on a fresh coat of paint. For this reason, the amount of research we have to do to find accurate references for a piece of vintage equipment can be substantial. Old brochures, antique photos, and surveys of existing machines are all necessary.

In the case of our model of the Caterpillar No.12 motor grader, we were lucky to be able to refer to our vast in-house archives of vintage product brochures and sales sheets. Cross referencing this with our machine survey and other photos, we were able to create accurate markings for a machine that is well over sixty years old.

We were lucky to find a rare original label on this old No.12 for reference.

Markings are applied to the surface of our models with a process known as pad printing, often called “Tampo” printing after the leading manufacturer of the equipment. A soft silicone pad stamps a layer of paint on the model in a precise movement, as well as fine registration. This allows for a very crisp graphic that can wrap over a curved surface. Here is a link to examples of various Tampo techniques.

A paint and Tampo guide provided to our manufacturer for our upcoming Cat 16M Motor Grader cab interior.

Before the markings are placed, however, the model first needs a coat of paint matched to the manufacturer’s standard. Next to the company logo, there is nothing more they want to see properly executed on a scale model of their machines. Company colors are an integral part of their brand and manufacturers hold us to a very high standard for proper matches which includes their final approval for both current and vintage colors on our models.

As many enthusiasts know, Caterpillar yellow has changed over the years. The original “Hi-way Yellow” introduced in the 1930’s needed to change to meet the growing environmental requirements introduced in the 1970’s. In 1979 Caterpillar made the decision to modify the color that had been famous for over 47 years to the current Caterpillar “honey yellow”. Although the new paint color is strictly controlled, there was often some variation in the old Hiway Yellow from year to year, manufacturing locations, and paint formulations.

We hope this information is helpful and gives you a better understanding of the process we follow to create the world-class scale models our collectors treasure so highly.

The post CCM Behind the Scenes: Markings and Paint appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

The model comes in a collectors box and includes an individually serial-numbered machine brochure reproduction as certificate of authenticity. See more model details here.

Available for shipping in early December. To order yours, give us a call at 503-626-6395.

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When our 3D files are sent to the manufacturer they must complete the tedious and time consuming process of reviewing the files and making revisions. This can take up to a month as they must ensure the drawings represent parts that can be made in the next step of production which is tooling.

Once the drawings are  reviewed and approved they are used to make the tooling and from that tooling comes our first hand sample. Depending on the end product, that sample could be a resin rapid prototype printed on a 3D printer, a “first shot” in die-cast metal or a completed model in brass. At this stage the sample is usually not painted to allow us a closer examination of the overall quality. At this point, we check to make sure pistons hold position, wheels or tracks turn smoothly and the overall appearance of the model is correct.

Given the complexity of our models, it’s not uncommon to find that something has been overlooked or misinterpreted at this time. Above is a photo of the 992C Wheel Loader hand sample. You’ll notice the first version of the handrails in plastic that were later changed to metal because they didn’t meet our standards. If you look closely you’ll also see the winged foot in the Good Year logo on the tires is missing. When our review is complete we send our comments back to the manufacturer and wait for them to make the changes and send us another sample.

In the picture above you can see how the cylinders were painted along with the rest of the machine. Obviously not acceptable. Other changes required on these models included adjusting the hinge mechanisms on the bucket and filling a hole on the stick of the front shovel that was in the drawings but not on the real machine.

When the second sample arrives we again conduct a very rigorous and thorough inspection. This model will have full paint and markings which must be inspected and reviewed and at this point little things like the silver paint on the model above get noted and corrected. At this time, we typically receive a sample of the packaging to ensure it meets the required standards.

We understand the time line for the completion of a model is a long one—up to year in most cases—and although we wish it could be shorter, the reality of the work required to make a high-quality, limited edition model is always going to be laborious. Despite the challenges, we are addicted to the reward that comes when you tell us all our work was worth the effort as you simply love your CCM models.

In our next “Behind the Scenes” we’ll take a look at getting the machine markings on the models

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Rob, Greg & Jim in front of the 5230

After a quick breakfast we met our contacts from the mine and Caterpillar and made the short trip to the mine site.  Another 8 miles of driving within the mine took us to where the 5230 was located.  Our arrival time was set up to fall within the weekly, 8-hour down-time maintenance shift.    It took us about two hours to get all of the dimensions we needed to start developing our computer model, after which we tracked down the one 992C still working at this mine for a few more reference photos and dimensions.

A look around the mine was followed by a tour of the processing plant where the raw rock is transformed into iron pellets that are shipped by train and boat to another Arcelor Mittal factory to become steel.

Our hosts from the mine and Ziegler Caterpillar were both extraordinary in their assistance in getting us to the machines.  We’re all very excited about making the 5230 model and looking forward to the  possibility of a larger shovel down the road when CAT rolls out their new product lines!

The 992C we found

Talking shop by the 5230

A BE drill used for prepping the rock for blasting

The rental company might not appreciate  the mud we covered their Tahoe in!

That service truck in the middle dwarfed our Tahoe

The repair shop

Old school “dry” – where the miners keep their gear

Rob all geared up with his safety vest, hard hat, metatarsal boots and gloves as required by the mine. Standing in front of one of the pieces of equipment used for processing ore.

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