Presented here is the 1:50 scale Bucyrus 495HR (Hard Rock) rope shovel. The way the model was packaged should be mentioned, as the inner box containing the model was secured inside a larger outer box with an inch of space inside. This ensured that the model arrived in excellent condition. There are two versions of the model produced, the HR or "Hard Rock" version has narrow tracks and a large bucket with small teeth, while the HF or "High Flotation" version has a quick-fill bucket and wide tracks for use in the oil sands region.
The upper deck is highly detailed with mesh walkways, handrails, and mesh steps throughout. The large cab contains all the details found on the real machine with computer screen, operator's seat and levers all modeled. The two cabin doors open to give access to the gangway and the main body. The rear-view mirrors, windshield wipers and hallway lighting are reproduced in the model.
The air conditioning units, installed behind the cab, are finished in silver and have photo-etched grille details, with warning labels and flexible hoses.
The rear frame is where the main boom tip connects and features mesh walkways, handrails and access ladders with safety cage details. Bucyrus logos are located on the sides of the frame and the four large cables are riveted to the frame. Large reflectors are mounted on the sides and a generator is located under the frame.
The lower level has many details with mesh walkways, handrails, lights, spotlights and access ladder to the bucket door release winch platform. The lateral side of the Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel has the type of machine printed along with the red stripe that runs along the entire body.
The other side of the Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel model features more walkways and access to the main winch drums. The rear winch operates the lifting mechanism and the supplied winding key is inserted into the round hole in the side of the body. The drum is spring loaded and requires pressure to release the braking mechanism before the drum can rotate. The front drum is accessed through the open window and operates the bucket movement. This is achieved through friction, so there is no braking mechanism on this drum.
The handrails surround the entire model and contrast with the black arm and the white body. The boom walkway reaches to the top and each step has a mesh panel. Two thirds of the way down the boom, there is another small platform and the walkway continues down the center of the boom to the large wheels at the tip.
The lower part of the main body has even more detail with electrical cables, swing motor housing and radiator grill all present
The opposite side of the Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel model also features electrical cables and swing motor, with warning markings under the main aisles. The working folding access walkway uses a hydraulic cylinder that is rigid enough to keep the ladder in the raised position.
The landing gear is highly detailed with the main power cable entry boom rotating on an axis, and features detailed chain drive motors. Flexible hoses and electrical cables are also visible and the attached metal tracks are enviably kept taut with spring-tensioned idlers. On the HR version, additional tracks are supplied in the box so the owner can choose between red primed tracks (as shown in the pictures) or black painted tracks which are also in the box. The HF (high flotation) version of the Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel model has much wider track shoes for operating in soft terrain, typically used in oil sands operations.
The bucket is fully functional by operating the two winches, while the bucket has a work door release mechanism that can be operated from the small winch installed on the side of the boom. The bucket itself has a good level of detail, including fully reproduced teeth with wear protection. On the HF version of the Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel model, the bucket is a quick-fill version with large teeth and a shaped top edge that would be used for softer materials.
This is the first mass-produced large rope paddle, and the results are astonishing. OHS made a 1:50 scale P&H 4100 model and it doesn't compare to the 495 in terms of detail or price. The model is supplied with a booklet containing information and specifications of the actual machine.
