Our new building nears completion

Those who have visited us in the last nine months or so may have noticed a second building under construction right next door. We are very excited to announce that it is almost ready to be occupied.

Most of you know that we share a building with our sister company Allied Power Products Inc., a custom winch and hoist manufacturer. As well as assembling their standard Columbia line of products, APPI designs and builds specialized lift, pull, and positioning solutions for every conceivable customer, from small businesses to the US military to NASA. Finding space in our facilities to work on all these projects is a challenge in itself, involving a constant shuffling of equipment.

The truth was simple. We needed more space.

Over two years ago, movement to develop the empty lot beside our current location began in earnest. Though the planning and permitting were the longest part of the process, we finally broke ground last September, 2013. The new structure has 7,800 square feet of industrial workspace including the two floors up front for offices. As Bob Peterson is fond of saying, the "dirty stuff" will be moved to this building; welding, fabrication, and large projects that need the space for assembly will all find new homes here.

We at CCM have watched as each stage of the new building has unfolded outside our office windows – quite a treat, considering how much we think about construction equipment every day. We won't be moving any of the model business over there, but it will finally give us some much needed elbow room out in the current warehouse.

As far as Classic Construction Models goes, none of our operations will change. We will have the same address and phone number, and as always, anytime you are in the neighborhood you are welcome to visit our model showroom during business hours.

Memorable Model: Link-Belt HC-268 Truck Crane

In 1992 Classic Construction Models created our third scale model: the Link-Belt HC-268 Truck Crane. Following on the success of the two previous models, the HC-268 was manufactured of brass to the same exacting standards that we are known for.

The HC-268 holds the distinction of being the only truck-mounted crane we have produced to date, and is a true museum-quality replica. A limited edition of only 500 pieces was made and insured it as a favorite of our collectors to this day.

This scale model was individually hand-built and painted in red and white to the factory-authorized specifications of Link-Belt. The 1:48 scale allowed the inclusion of a host of fine details and features, such as working drums, opening doors, 360-degree rotating house, rubber tires, functional load block, and authentic markings.

 
Those who ordered the Link-Belt HC-268 also had the option of purchasing single or double boom section inserts to extend the boom an additional 7.5 or 15 inches respectively. Customers could also request to have their model painted in one of the four alternate schemes seen in the photo, making it all the more exclusive.

The Link-Belt HC-268 Truck Crane is still a favorite of those who were fortunate to obtain one when it was first released, and a rare find for those lucky enough to spot it on the secondary collector market.

From the Archives: The Beginning of Construction Collector

Though it may be hard for our younger readers to believe, there were days before the internet when most long distance activities were still done through the mail. So it was with collecting construction memorabilia.

One such collector was Bob Peterson, the founder of Classic Construction Models. When Bob wanted to connect with like-minded enjoyers of his hobby, he decided to put together a small newsletter that would allow readers to post ads for items they had for sale or wanted to buy. This was the birth of Construction Collector almost twenty years ago.

Many unique and one-of-a-kind items would be printed in its pages. But as the world moved online to the web, Construction Collector would do the same, allowing it to reach a much wider audience while avoiding the costly and time-intensive production of the printed version.

These days Construction Collector can still be found here, as a marketplace for some of the better construction related collectibles.

An update from CONEXPO

CONEXPO has been fantastic. CCM extends thanks to all of the people we have met over the past week. We have said hello to old friends, longtime collectors, and many new faces. If you are at the show, please visit us before you leave. We are at booth 70141, in Gold Hall on the Gold Lot.

Here's a few photos from the show. You can see more at our Facebook page here.

CONEXPO - CON / AGG is here!

It all starts Tuesday, March 4th!

Every three years this incredible construction industry event allows us to say hello to all our old friends and make some new ones. We will have current and upcoming models of ours on display in Gold Hall, booth 70141, right next to Allied Power Products Inc.

Learn more about CONEXPO-CON/AGG here at their website. March 4-8, 2014, in Las Vegas.

Cat 336E L Excavator pricing posted

We have just posted the retail pricing and production quantities on both versions of our Cat 336E L Excavator models. Photos have also been updated.

$549.95 - Cat 336E L Excavator Quick Coupler Version
$549.95 - Cat 336E L Excavator Hydraulic Thumb Version

Our website is the first place to check for final model pricing, production quantities, and other model details.

Remember to call or email us so you can be placed on the request list for this limited edition model by contacting us today. Those on the request list will be given priority over others when the model is delivered.

Email: sales@ccmodels.com
Phone: 503-626-6395, Monday - Friday | 8am - 5pm Pacific Standard Time

Iron Profile: Cat 320C LU Excavator

The Cat 320C LU Excavator offered the same level of performance as the standard 320 L Excavator but with smaller swing radius, allowing contractors to work efficiently in tight spaces without sacrificing machine capability. This was achieved by using a 70% heavier counterweight than the standard 320C L, providing similar stability. Powered by a 138 horsepower 3066T diesel engine, this 50,700 lb machine was a must-have in any fleet.

The Cat 320C LU was compatible with a wide range of versatile work tool options. A fine example would be the Cat S320 shears. Representing a third generation of hydraulic mobile scrap shears, they featured 360 degree rotation, nearly 400,000 lb/ft of torque and 375 tons of force at the throat. Tools such as these are widely used for demolishing steel structures and preparing bulk scrap, such as cars, for further processing.

Another optional work tool was the Cat CVP 110 vibratory plate compactors. Whether in a trench or on a slope, driving sheeting or posts, these units produced high-power impulses at a rate of 2200 impacts per minute, forcing soil particles close together for solid, stable compaction.

It is estimated that more than 18,000 Cat 320C excavators were produced in various configurations.