Memorable Model: Caterpillar D8H

With an operating weight in excess of 47,000 pounds and a 235 HP turbocharged diesel engine for power, the Caterpillar D8H track type tractor literally changed the face of the world. First introduced in 1958, the D8H had more of an impact on the earthmoving industry than any machine before it and many, many after it. With an innovative new design that optimized operator comfort and usability to help maximize production, the D8H was quickly accepted as the industry standard for large earthmoving applications.

As testimony as to how advanced the tractor was when introduced, consider first that it was in production for almost 15 years. In the world of construction equipment, that in itself is an accomplishment that very few machines have ever attained. During that time span, more than 50,000 D8H tractors were delivered around the world. Their durability and enduring popularity is easily verified by the number of these tractors still in use today in every conceivable type of earthmoving operation imaginable.

The decision for Classic Construction Models to produce a model of the D8H was made in honor of the legendary status this machine earned, as well as to continue our 1:24 precision scale brass models that started with the release of the Caterpillar Seventy in 1996. Following the Seventy, we produced 1:24 scale models of the Caterpillar Ten and D2, the smallest gasoline and diesel powered tractors made by Caterpillar, and the D11R, the largest diesel tractor Caterpillar has manufactured to date. With this well established family of models, the decision to produce an H series D8 – in essence the great grandson of the Caterpillar Seventy – created a model that fit into the middle of the long line of legendary tractors produced by Caterpillar.

Although this model was released in December of 2004, development actually began in 2002 when CCM acquired a set of factory general arrangement drawings. After discussing the different versions of the H series tractors, it was decided to build a model of an early machine with a direct drive transmission and cable operated blade – specifically a circa 1960's 36A machine. With the specific tractor selected, we began the process of sourcing all the information required to build a true, precision scale model.

As it turned out, the primary source of information for creating the model of this vintage machine was not Caterpillar, but instead the photographs, drawings and machine surveys we compiled ourselves. In addition to the schematics and diagrams, hundreds of photographs with measurements were compiled from two separate prototype 36A D8H machines.   

Countless days were spent examining the smallest details and documenting them for the model makers' reference. With this information, the process of creating the first model from raw brass began.

As museum curators know, there is no material better suited for creating mechanically accurate miniatures of complex equipment than brass. The ability to cast, etch, machine and form this metal at any scale is what allowed us to create a model that approaches being a part-for-part recreation of the actual machine. Unlike a die-cast model which must maintain a minimum thickness – regardless of the dimension of the original part – brass can be as thin or as thick as necessary. This means sheet metal on the real machine can be sheet brass on the model and parts that are cast in iron at full scale can be perfectly replicated in reduced size from cast brass. Similarly, the versatility of this metal enabled us to investment cast complete parts with shapes so complex they could never be successfully produced through die-casting or any other metal modeling method. The result, with hundreds of hand-made brass parts laboriously assembled into a single D8H model, is absolutely stunning.

Equipped with a Caterpillar No.30 front cable control unit that operates the working blade, as well as a working Carco J-120 winch mounted on the rear, the D8H model showcases the finest in modeling skills. The highly detailed 235 HP Cat diesel turbocharged engine, direct drive transmission and complete undercarriage are a perfect compliment to the individually-linked, free-rolling tracks complete with spring-loaded track tensioners and roller guards. A close look under the hood shows details such as the shrouded radiator fan with drive belts, as well as fuel injectors, manifolds, fuel lines and complete pony motor. Even the control levers are connected through the control panel into the engine compartment.

Other precision features include a full complement of operator's controls with gauges on the dash, moving levers and diamond plate flooring. Flawless exterior sheet metal work with rivets, accurate perforations on the radiator guard, front and rear spotlights and a working rain cap on the exhaust help complete this truly amazing replica.

With Caterpillar "Hi-way Yellow" paint and vintage markings, this model looks like it just came off the production line in 1960. Although the tool box next to the operator's seat is not strictly factory, it was decided to include it on the model for two reasons: virtually every operator we spoke to said that is where they carried their lunch box and thermos of coffee, and the opening lid on the tool box created the perfect place to put an engraved serial number plate for the model.

Because of the high level of skill required to assemble such a museum-quality model like the D8H, the number that can be produced is obviously very limited. Thus the total production for the model was limited to only 348, each one registered and certified, ensuring collectors the demand for this model will outlive those who created it.

The Cat D8H is one of the best examples of our continuing determination to produce construction equipment models at the highest of standards. We hope this legacy of limited edition models will continue to thrill construction collectors for generations to come, making it a necessity to find room for at least one of these legendary models in their collection.

From the Archives: 1:87 scale Cat D11R Carrydozer review from 2006

This article was previously posted on Construction Collector, but we enjoyed it so much it seemed time to share it with a wider audience.

Classic Construction Models builds a big bulldozer

Review and Photos by Bill Cawthon
Published in Model Railroad News, March 2006

MODERN earthmoving operations demand big machines. Not only to mine the volumes of ore and coal necessary for modern society, but to restore the land for other uses. All with an eye to cost-efficiency. The more earth that can be moved in each pass, the more productive the operator and equipment can be.

While we often think of the giant draglines and hydraulic excavators filling a continuous stream of huge dump trucks, there are a number of other earthmovers that also perform important functions, especially when the job calls for mobility or the ability to maneuver in a space too small for the big diggers. That's the time the smaller wheeled and crawler tractors really shine.

Of course, smaller is a relative term. Some of these machines weigh in at over 100 tons and are more than two stories tall.

One of these is the Caterpillar D11R Carrydozer, the top bulldozer in the Caterpillar line and second only to the Komatsu D-575A3 as the world's largest crawler dozer. Now Classic Construction Models has produced a limited-edition brass model of this magnificent machine and loaned MRN one for a close-up examination.

The Prototype
The Caterpillar D11R CD crawler dozer was designed for high-volume earthmoving applications such as mining and quarry operations and large land reclamation projects. Everything about the D11R CD is big, from its operating weight of nearly a quarter-million pounds to its 425-gallon fuel tank. With a 63-gallon capacity, the cooling system alone holds more fluid than three typical passenger-car gas tanks.

A couple of construction workers check out Classic Construction Models'
D11R Carrydozer while giving you an idea of the true size of the prototype.
Note the see-through engine covers and the delicate hydraulic control lines.

 The D11R CD stretches thirty-five feet six-inches from the leading edge of the blade to the back of the ripper. It stands fifteen-feet six-inches tall from the base of its three-foot wide treads to the top of its rollover protection system, called a ROPS in the trade.

It takes a big engine to move such a massive tractor. The D11R CD is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 2,105 cubic-inch Caterpillar 3508B diesel engine that cranks out 850 horsepower. That much horsepower doesn't translate into speed; the D11R CD can't quite hit twelve miles per hour in its top gear and when it's in first gear, it can't keep up with a brisk walk. On the other hand, just about anything you'd care to hook up to the D11R CD will find itself moving. This includes most houses and your choice of North American locomotives.

As you would expect, such a big machine can do some mighty big jobs. The blade can dig a maximum of just over thirty inches and, depending on configuration, can move up to fifty-seven cubic yards of material at a time. To give you an idea of how much that is, it's enough to fill four typical dump trucks and start on a fifth. The rear-mounted hydraulic ripper, used to break up earth and rock to facilitate their removal or to prepare former mine sites for reforestation, has a seven-foot blade with maximum pryout force of 142,390 pounds.

The Model
Based in Beaverton, Oregon, about 240 miles north of MRN's offices, Classic Construction Models is entering its sixteenth year as a manufacturer of museum-quality brass replicas of construction and earthmoving equipment. In that time, CCM has become one of the most respected names in the field.

The D11R CD can move fifty-seven cubic yards of material with each
pass making it the perfect machine for major land reclamation projects.
The CCM model captures each detail including the holes drilled in the blade.

As those of you with a brass locomotive or railcar know, it's the ultimate medium for creating a prototypically accurate replica and allows detail unobtainable in any other material. Considering the number of brass models I have been privileged to review in recent months, I was expecting a top-flight model. The CCM Caterpillar exceeded my expectations. World-class, museum-grade - call it what you will - this is an incredible model.

As CCM works very closely with the manufacturer, it comes as no surprise that the model scales out very well compared to manufacturer specifications. Most of the measurements I was able to take were within a few tenths of a scale inch of precise 1:87 scale. The major variations I found were mostly easily explained by differences in the equipment shown in the base D11R specifications and that fitted to the machine that served as the prototype for the CCM model. For example, the specs for a D11R were based on a dozer with twenty-eight-inch-wide shoes, the term for the individual links in the crawler track. The CCM model is fitted with the D11R CD's wider extreme-duty shoes, which add sixteen inches to the track width.

The only major variation I couldn't explain was the blade. The one on the model is a scale fourteen inches wider than the blades listed for the D11R CD in the Caterpillar specifications. However, as close as the model is in every other measurement, I feel sure the explanation is that, as with the shoes, the model is based on a different prototype. (Please see Author’s Postscript at the end of this article.)

Marvelous details are found everywhere you look. You start with the free-rolling tracks, functioning tensioners and positionable blade, and ripper with an adjustable shank, and then you look more closely. The hydraulic pistons work smoothly, replicating the movements of the prototype and major hydraulic lines are reproduced including the flexible control lines leading to the blade and ripper.

The super-size ripper can dig into hard-packed soil and rock to break
it up for removal or to allow for replanting after mining has ended.

As you can see from the pictures, the side engine covers are perforated, allowing you to look in at the engine and radiator fan detail. What I couldn't get in a photograph is the see-through grille. Of course, the various rails and grab irons are properly sized for the hand of a scale figure, and the cab looks ready for a miniature operator to climb in and fire up the engine.

One minor detail I like is the way Classic Construction Models does the headlights. As you can see in the picture, they look like real headlights. Realistic headlights are a difficult effect to create, requiring a parabolic surface and a mirror-like finish. It would seem to me that any model priced north of four hundred dollars should have them, but a surprising number have painted lights that don't live up to the quality of the rest of the model. That's definitely not the case here.

While this isn't a toy to toss to your four-year-old on his way to the sandbox, I was pleased to see how sturdy the CCM model really is. The joints are strong and you can position the various moveable components without fear the whole thing will come apart in your hands. As this model was on loan to us, I didn't put it through its paces, but I would think you could actually lower the blade and move some earth or break up some packed dirt with the ripper.

As is the case with most brass models, CCM's Caterpillar D11R CD is a limited edition. The run was limited to a total of four hundred pieces, divided into one hundred-fifty each of Caterpillar yellow, and a special anti-glare paint scheme, and a hundred in mine white. The base Cat yellow model retails at $409.95; the others are each ten dollars more. Our loaner was number 364 in the series, supplied in the Caterpillar yellow and flat black anti-glare paint.

If you're a fan of the big machinery of the modern era, the Classic Construction Models Caterpillar D11R Carrydozer is definitely a worthwhile investment. Whether it's parked on the shelf with your most prized locomotives or working on your layout and dwarfing everything around it (it's three scale inches taller than an AC6000CW), you will be one of a very small group of people who get to enjoy one of the most detailed heavy equipment models in HO scale.

Author’s Postscript:
When I wrote the above review, I mentioned that I didn’t have sufficient information to check the scale accuracy of the blade. After this review first appeared in print, Classic Construction Models was kind enough to let me know the prototype for the blade on their replica is a special high-capacity model Caterpillar offers only on the D11R Dozer. I hope no one takes my comments as a criticism of this outstanding model. -Bill Cawthon

Memorable Model: The Marmon Wasp Steel Toy

The “old timers” at Classic Construction Models have always had a love for antique toys.  In many ways it was this love that started us on the road to making our own collectibles almost twenty-five years ago.

In 1996, after a long discussion as to why a toy version has never been built of it,  we decided to create our own "tin toy" version of the Marmon Wasp – the car that won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Driven by company engineer Ray Harroun the Wasp finished the race in 6 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds after using almost as much oil as gasoline.  Built by the Marmon Motor Car Company, it was powered by a six-cylinder engine constructed from three stock Marmon two-cylinder blocks. The Wasp also featured the black and yellow paint scheme that earned its name and a rear-view mirror, which was new to automobiles at the time and designed by Harroun to eliminate the need for a mechanic to ride in the car with him. In 1961 the car got an anniversary lap at the 50th Indy 500 – driven by a very proud Harroun himself.

Our version of the Wasp was conceived as a toy that could have existed so the design and manufacturing was purposefully kept in line with a turn of the century approach. Constructed of pressed steel, cast brass and molded rubber it attained that vintage original look when completed. Painted a bright yellow with the black and red striping of the original car it featured working steering,  cast wheels,  Firestone tires and full suspension. The scale was approximately 1:12 and came in at over 18 inches long.

Only 200 of these hand-built cars were ever built, each sold with an oak and acrylic display case and numbered certificate of authenticity. As was originally anticipated the CCM Marmon Wasp has become a collectible toy in its own right and a worthy tribute to those who inspired its creation.

A full-page ad that ran for the Wasp in Antique Toy World magazine.

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.

Memorable Model: Lima 2400B Front Shovel

In 2001 Classic Construction Models released a limited-edition model of the Lima 2400B Front Shovel. This all-brass model followed the success of our Lima 2400B Dragline which sold out a year earlier. The 1:48 scale allowed a tremendous amount of detail, including a detailed operators cab; individually linked free-rolling tracks, tensioners and bogies; functional shovel; and accurate Lima paint and markings.

The photos above are from the Japanese model magazine Diesel Knock, who have always been great fans of ours. The 2400B is seen here with our 1:48 scale, brass Cat 914G, and is a great example of this beast's true size.

The original machine was also popular with Caterpillar customers, as Lima used the 473 horsepower Caterpillar D397 engine was the unit of choice for the 2400. The B series debuted in 1969 and continued until Lima stopped production of construction equipment in 1980.

Originally offered for $1,695.00, our 240-piece edition sold out quickly. Collectors can occasionally find one of these rare models on secondary markets, but it's not often that someone is willing to part with this fine replica.

Memorable Model: Cat D11R Track-Type Tractor in 1:24 scale

In 2001 we released one of our most acclaimed scale models–the D11R Track-Type Tractor. The largest Cat tractor to date, the D11R is a flagship piece of construction equipment for the Caterpillar company, and as such we wanted to give it its due.

Opening and latching cab doors, a detailed engine compartment, a single shank ripper with working pin puller and a working dual tilt blade are just a few of the unique features found on this remarkable model. Working at the larger 1:24 scale allowed us to include details that would have been lost on a smaller model, such as bolt heads, perforated shrouds, electrical lines, and safety rails of a proper thickness.

The Standard, Carrydozer, and Mining White versions

Collectors who purchased the D11R were able to choose from one of three paint variations as well as a general or carry dozer blade which enhanced the future value of each version.  Each model was shipped with a brass serial number plate which served as a certification of authenticity.

Apart from the transparent acrylic windows and rubber hoses, this model was hand crafted completely of brass castings and delicately soldered brass sheet.  Each of the  300 models in the edition was hand assembled and painted - assuring quality beyond what is possible in a mass-production process.

The prototype comes together in unpainted brass

A craftsman in South Korea assembles a D11R model

Our D11R model received rave reviews worldwide, and to this day remains one of our most treasured editions. Originally sold at $3,495 each, these models command much more than that price when they come up for sale. The rarity of a construction model of this quality has only served to make this one of the most unique and popular such pieces ever created.

Japanese model magazines covering CCM's D11R

Glen Barton, retired CEO of Caterpillar, stands with his D11R model in 2004

Memorable Model: The Marion 7200 Walking Dragline

On May 13, 1939, the very first Marion walking dragline ever built was shipped to Placer Properties in Oakland, California. Although it was originally built as a prototype, that same Model 7200 was still operating at American Aggregate Corporation's Indianapolis yard over fifty years later. In 1994 Classic Construction Models was honored to pay tribute to the legacy of that machine and the 7200s that followed it with a special limited edition of just 150 models.

Built to a precision 1:48 scale, our all brass model of the Marion 7200 Walking Dragline was carefully developed from original drawings supplied by Marion and a painstaking field survey of the actual machine. Each of the digging movements–hoist, drag, boom topping and swing–are fully functional, along with walking shoes that move in the same “up and over” motion as those on the real machine.

We delivered the model to our customers fully assembled and rigged with a perfectly scaled version of the 6-cubic yard bucket and 100’ boom that were on the original machine. This would be our only model of a walking dragline until 2009, when we made a replica of the largest ever built, the Big Muskie.

The adjustable boom had a length of 25” and the body a length of 9.5” making this an impressive looking piece on a shelf or desk.  The width of the model at the outside of the shoes was 8.5” and the body was 9” tall. It weighed just over 9 pounds. These models sold originally by reservation only for $1795 each, and occasionally can be found in secondary markets today for a great deal more.

Memorable Model: Cat 140H Motor Grader

In late 1997 we introduced our brass model of the Cat 140H Motor Grader. This was the fifth release in our 12 model series, the Caterpillar Classic Collection in 1:87 scale.

Complete with Cat markings and livery, this 140H has amazing detail for the available technology at the time and being such a small-scale replica. It includes an articulated front end, free-spinning rubber tires, and a moldboard that rotates. The operator’s cab and front axle are especially detailed, and even the side view mirrors on the operator cab rotate. The dimensions of the model were 3.9” long, 1.1” wide, and 1.4” high. All weighing just a couple ounces.

This particular model would not have been possible without extensive feedback from engineers and operators at Caterpillar. We were able to make this model so accurate because of the valuable input we received.

Only 1000 of these models were produced, and they each sold for $149.95. Individual serial numbers and certificates of authenticity assured buyers their purchase was a true collectable.

Memorable Model: Manitowoc M250 Crawler Crane

In 1997 we produced a beautiful scale reproduction of the Manitowoc M250 Crawler Crane. It was our eighth crane model, and our most detailed to date. Limited to a single production run of just 300, they came with a registration certificate proving their authenticity, and identifying us as a licensed dealer of Manitowoc. They were also individually serial numbered so that our collectors would be assured  they owned a specific model, never to be made again.

Like all of our models, this edition was complete with many true to life features that were found on the actual machine. In this case, it was three working winch drums which allowed the boom angle and load blocks to be positioned as desired. The gantry is foldable, and one of the most unique features of this replica is the swinging cab, which allowed the operator drastically improved visibility.

The model also includes individually linked, free-rolling tracks with functioning tensioners, an engine cover that lifts to display twin cooling fans, and precise replication of red paint and distinctive graphics. Twin swing drive motors with rotating pinion gears, a highly detailed operator’s cab, and a front mounted auxiliary hydraulic hoist round out the M250.

Each unit was assembled by hand of many individual brass components engineered to a precise 1:48 scale.  The finished product stood 37” high at the tip of the boom, with a width of 6.25”, and a length of 10”.  It weighed a reasonable 7.75 pounds and still looks great on any shelf. They sold originally for $1595, but can command almost twice that in the collector market.

In 2010 we produced 8 of the Manitowoc M250 with Kiewit livery, which retailed for $1895.
 

Memorable Model: Caterpillar Seventy Track-Type Tractor

In 1934 Caterpillar began selling the Caterpillar Seventy track-type tractor, the largest and last of its gas-powered tractors which were soon to be replaced by the newer, more popular diesel machines.  In the years emerging from the Great Depression, many municipalities and private contractors used the Seventy in the construction of roads. It received heavy use in agricultural circles, as well, helping mechanize America’s farms on a larger scale than the Caterpillar Ten did four years earlier. The Seventy was also a favorite of the logging industry as it could safely and efficiently pull equipment and logs over rough terrain. 

In 1996 we released the Caterpillar Seventy track-type tractor, our first 1:24 scale, brass Caterpillar model. As with all of our pieces, we spent countless hours familiarizing ourselves with the original machine to develop the model of the Caterpillar Seventy. By referencing a multitude of machine plans, photos and measurements of the real tractor, we designed the most precise model possible. The model has over 375 etched, cast or machined brass parts.  Details included individually-linked tracks, functional track tensioners, a full engine, accurate controls, and complete suspension. The final pieces were finished in a period livery of Caterpillar paint and markings.

The model was approximately 7” in length, 4” wide, and 4.5” tall. It weighed in at over 2.5 pounds of brass. Each was individually serial numbered and came with a certificate of authenticity. The cost at the time of release was $1295. Of particular note, was the size of the single production run. Caterpillar only produced 266 of the actual Seventy, so we responded in kind by only producing 266 collectable models.

Memorable Model: Northwest 190D Dragline

In 2000 we released our 17th brass crane model. It was the 1:48 scale Northwest 190D dragline in gorgeous orange, black, and white livery. This replica of the legendary machine was made with intricate detail as the brass was etched, cast, fabricated, and assembled by hand. We think it still looks fantastic on the desks and shelves of our collectors.

The model featured several life-like elements, including: free rolling tracks, 360 degree cab rotation with a functioning cab door, accurate rigging, working fairlead, and a Hendrix 5-yard bucket.  The approximate dimensions of the model were 25” long, 5” wide, and 16” in boom height.

Each piece came with a certificate of authenticity and were individually serial numbered. The price was $1,495 and the production run in this case was only 250 models.

In 2010 we released an additional 13 units in the vintage orange and black NW paint scheme.

Memorable Model: Caterpillar 583T Pipelayer

 

Although it seems like yesterday, it has been seven years since we rolled out the Cat 583T Pipelayer model. One of our more unique pieces due to the real machine’s application, it is immediately recognizable to enthusiasts of construction equipment, and one of our favorites.
 
At 1:48th scale in brass, the model weighs just over a pound and is approximately 8” wide from the counterweight to the end of the boom. Only 4.25” long from the front to the hitch, it most stands out because of the boom which is nearly 7” tall and displays a complex sheave block and hook with six parts of line, just as the real machine would have.

Other nice details include, individually linked and free-rolling tracks, operator’s seat with control panel and joysticks, counterweight and mast that can move into position for transport or operation.

Only 310 these models were ever made. 225 came in the standard open ROPS configuration, while 85 units included the cab. Retailing at the time for $795 and $875 respectively, they still hold their value today due to the limited production run.

Memorable Model: Cat 953C Track Loader

In 2006, CCM proudly rolled out the 953C Track Loader model. This 1:48 scale precision model was made entirely of etched and investment-cast brass parts. All 300 models were assembled and painted by hand. 125 came with a standard configuration, 125 came with a 3-pronged ripper, and the final 50 were the most unique with a scale Allied Power Products Inc. winch package on the back of the loader.

 

The model had several life-like movable parts, including tracks which were individually linked and free-rolling, working track tensioners, a positionable bucket, remarkably detailed operator’s cab, and vented engine cover. Finer additions, such as hydraulic lines, lights, and grab handles, added to its realism.

Caterpillar licensed this model for production and its accuracy was verified by the project engineers who worked on the real machine. The model came in an original box, with a serial number, and a certificate proving its authenticity.

This model was 5.25” long, 2” wide, and 2.5” tall.  They sold out quickly at a price of $559.95 for the standard version. The ripper and winch versions were an additional $30.