Yeah, it's a nice looking model.



People have had their problems with them, I know of a few lift cylinders that have split so now the majority of owners wont risk lifting the dump body.

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Here's what I shared with another forum member and since no one else is saying much I'll share it. Just don't shoot the messenger!


I've got the MT4400 so I'll give you a little review. It's a nice big heavy model with a good bit of plastic mixed in. The electrical cabinets and such up top, the exhaust system, fuel and hydraulic tank, front wheels, bed lift cylinders, and misc. parts underneath are all plastic but are painted and actually look like metal until you touch them. The railings are a nice thin metal and the front grill is a very fine metal (at least I think it's metal) mesh that's actually quite impressive. The front stairs on mine are a little loose and won't stay up on their own. The tires are ok and the front wheels should steer but mine are so tight they won't without more force than I'm willing to use so they stay straight for now. The bed looks good down but won't dump more than maybe 20 deg. at most which is very disappointing to say the least but after seeing the split plastic cylinders on Facebook I guess a bed down display will have to do for now. There is modeled but non functioning suspension which is a little surprising given the size of the model. The bed has a pair of very fine chains hanging down between the dual wheels to simulate rock extractors I guess but it would be like using swing set chain on the real machine!

All in all I'd say I think it's a nice looking model- Not quite as well built or designed as the Norscot 795F, which I'll admit isn't setting the bar very high. It's definitely not worth $20 more than the Norscot. Would I buy it again... probably not for $250..... but it depends on the day!


Jeff M

Well, it is not strange from my point of view! It takes a lot of work to do the reviews the way I do them, and the 4400 is in the queue. I usually don't comment in advance of a review because as in this case I got it out of the box as a supporting actor for another model, and have not looked at it in any detail since. I suppose also that for me my review is my comment. The 4400 is coming fairly soon though....

Ian

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So am I right in thinking that this model has been previously made by different manufacturer's as a Terex model and a Bucyrus model (in the aluminium case)? So did these previous models only tip 20 degrees and split lift cylinders? Or is this another sign of a Tonkin cock up and lack of quality? Is there a potential fix for the cylinders splitting , such as lubrication of the piston rod?

regards

Mark Bridle

Not to sound like a smartass but has Tonkin released one model so far that people are excited about once released as they were at announcement? Seems like it has been let down after let down.

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There are two rules for success: 1. Never tell everything you know.

I think that maybe some people are overthinking this whole Tonkin thing! I think it's glaringly obvious that Tonkin is no CCM or even NZG or Conrad in terms of quality, but I don't recall them ever claiming to be. I think everyone can remember in the not too distant past when Conrad and NZG didn't exhibit a helluva lot of bang for one's buck! As for comparing the 4400 to the 795 by Norscot, I just recently took delivery of a 795 and all the PLASTIC rivets holding the steering assembly were sitting on the bottom of the box, both wheels were pointing different directions, and the fold down ladder on the front was about to fall off! But guess what? All it took was a little patience and its sitting there good as new, and I for one am happy that there are still model producers out there that make such a large variety of models that pretty much anyone can get into the hobby in some capacity. Also, it's pretty cool that CAT is by far the #1 choice. worldwide, of heavy equipment, and it's even cooler that they allow so many models, in so many price ranges, to be produced. So, with all that said, if you want top shelf quality and realism, spend that extra money, buy that Brand Name stamped into the bottom of the thing, better yet go out and collect the real thing and see how many fit on your shelf, but I for one am little tired of listening to everyone jump on the bandwagon to kick the crap out of Tonkin and Norscot! If you think they're such junk, don't buy the damn things, but for alot of people out there, myself included, and I have a bunch of both, they are a pretty nice addition to their collection, and let's try to remember that, at the end of the day, they ARE just TOYS!!!

There's a market for everything and all ranges of models, from the toyish Siku to CCM and NZG, and most likely they are priced accordingly.

As a modelist, I find good opportunities in each models brands, may it be only for parts from one model that I need for a project, and they all deserve to be in business.

But part of the interest of being on this forum is to be able to get reviews and appreciation of these models, and being aware of their manufacturer's market approach (or decision to offer quality oriented products versus affordable but cheaper and high plastic content models, and in large scale or limited edition). Don't rely on marketing or advertisements to get the truth. The example outlined by Fabricator is an excellent case.

We need to share that information, but yeah, we should still remain neutral and objective and avoid bashing on what we are displeased with. I really like Ian's work on Cranes etc. But we also need supplemental information from our different perspectives. Mine being from a modelist point of view, I like to know it a model has a high level of die cast metal or not, or if it requires additional modifications to add real life functionnality (like shortening a cylinder shaft for deeper reach on an excavator's boom) for example.

Just my humble opinion, though.

Stephane

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Playing with toys since 1970, now building them.

Hello all,

Interesting thread - I hope it keeps going and others give their opinions too. Here are a couple of mine...

- EastCoast posted the advertisement from Tonkin's website - which is just that, an "advertisement". Every company believes they are absolutely the best there is and most, including Tonkin, try very hard to be the very best that they can. Every manufacturing company has mistakes/errors which get out. I believe you have to look at the whole picture, not just one aspect of the run or one part of the total model build.

- I am not playing favorites here. Norscot makes a very nice model, as does Tonkin, Conrad, NZG, etc. They all have faults and they all have amazing levels of detail. The technology has advanced to an remarkable level over the years and we now expect more from these companies each time they produce a model. From talking to their engineers over the years, these guys (and girls) feel the pressure and are pushing to get better each time they produce a new model.

- Keep in mind that there are budget constraints. Models have to also hit a certain price point, which is very difficult in today's economy. If a model comes out a bit more expensive, people complain. If a model has a little more plastic than metal, people complain. These decisions are based on engineering concepts as well as budget constraints. If these companies produced a "perfect" model, nobody would be able to afford it.

So in summary, I would like to see these threads hit more on the "what is good and what is bad" about each model based on the poster's opinions rather than just offering up complaints about certain quality issues and/or build issues. Each and every model has its good points and bad points. Unfortunately, in our world, people typically write about things if they are unhappy about them.

This forum is a great way to provide feedback to the manufactures and tell others about the pros and cons of each model. But let's not get too distracted by the odd situations.

Thanks.

Chuck

You're right Chuck, You do tend to hear about the bad of anything more than the good.

I like the small Tonkin wheel loaders 966, 972 and so on, I think they are great little models but every other Tonkin model I have owned has had it's issue and following on from that the other releases I don't own also have issues.

Although I like to watch and read reviews from the usual online reviewers I take them with a pinch of salt. If someone is getting free models from a manufacturer (if this is what happens) the reviewer will feel obliged to give it a review in such a manner that it does not highlight the bad points.

I have done my fair share of Tonkin bashing but with just good cause due to the poor quality of models I have received. I like to see the real life reviews on here from collectors highlighting the problems.

The MT4400 with no decals and tonkin saying that is terrible, the material handler with the boom lights facing the wrong way, it's all attention to detail in the assembly not the result of keeping costs down.

I've taken the decision not to buy any more Tonkin models based on the real life collectors views on here and facebook.

I would hazard a guess that everyone on here who owns a 4400 would happily pay a little bit more and get a quality product, I know I would.

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Putting decals on a model and bits on the right way is part of the process and does not add cost, and at the end of the process there is a quality control check to pick these issues up.

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New UK based Scale construction forum.

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