by Nick Drew | Mon 12 Jul 2021
Model review of Classic Construction Models (CCM) ultra-impressive 1:24th scale die-cast model of Caterpillar’s ultra-class D11 CD Dozer.
Cat D11 Dozer background
Caterpillar have been producing the mighty D11 series of dozers since February 1986, when the 92.7tonne, D11N was introduced with a 34 m3 blade and 770hp engine to replace the D10 as Caterpillar’s top of the range ultra-class dozer. The D11R and D11R Carrydozer were then introduced in Las Vegas, Nevada, at MINExpo International in 1996, with innovations such as fingertip controls and electronic clutch and brakes. The big Carrydozer models’ weight was just over 108.8 tonnes and by the year 2000, over 3,000 D11s had been produced at their plant in East Peoria.
The mighty D11T was then introduced in early 2008, and after a ten year reign as one of the world’s top mining and bulk earthworks dozers, in November 2018 the best just got better, when Caterpillar introduced the Next-Generation D11.
This new ultra-class dozer is simply known as the D11, and has increased productivity, efficiency, and lowered fuel burn by nearly 8%. Its new load sensing hydraulics, frame, mounting pins and bigger engine oil capacity lowered maintenance cost by 5%, resulting in an improvement to lower overall cost/bank cubic metre of up to 6%. Cat claim this new dozer can save an average 54,553litres (12,000 gallons) of fuel per year per machine. Put into context, a family diesel car achieving 50mpg and traveling 10,000 miles per annum will go for 60 years on this level of fuel saved!
Cat D11 CD Review
Classic Construction Models (CCM) have just released the much anticipated D11 in 1:24 scale to add to their collection of die-cast replicas. Two models have been produced, one with a U-blade and single shank ripper attachment, the other is a Carrydozer with Multi-shank ripper version which we have here for a model review.
These big models stand at approximately 7.7″ at the top of the ROPS canopy, this impressive model reaches 18.1″ long and 11″ wide. The CD version weighs in at a whopping 7.7kg and the U-blade model is 7.1kg. Cab and engine bay doors open on both sides and access steps swing down into position.
The multi-shank rear ripper attachment has an excellent range of movement and detail, and the ripper linkage hydraulic cylinders have sufficient resistance to help accurately pose the ripper in any position.
The D11 main lift and side tilt hydraulic cylinders have an impressive range of movement, and have grub screws an Allen key to help pose the heavy blade into any position. And the hydraulic pipes and flexible hoses are well represented on this model on the backwall of the blade.
As we have come to expect from CCM, the cab on both models is up to the usual high standards. It has an accurately detailed cab interior, with a set of highly detailed digital control screens. The angled operator’s seat, foot pedals, blade and ripper joystick controls are also highly accurately represented in the cab.
Engine bay doors swing open on both sides to reveal the 850hp C32 ACERT engine and components are accurately replicated to a very high standard on this big model.
The front screen and door window wipers are very finely detailed as is the door handles. The handrails around the machine are also well represented. Engine access doors with fine photo-etched grilles are hinged to reveal the turbocharged C32 ACERT diesel engine and two air filter units. The shutlines of all doors are also impressively close fitting. The Caterpillar paint, trade dress/logos and safety markings are crisp and have been approved by the manufacturer for accuracy.
The transmission, components and hydraulic hoses for the ripper and ground-level fluid change pipes are highly detailed.
The quality of reflection found on the rear-view mirrors is outstanding, as are all the safety notices around the engine hood.
The track pads have sharp castings, with a full set of articulating undercarriage bogies and smoothly rotating bogie wheels. The Individually linked tracks are tensioned with a powerful front idler spring and the track frames and elevated sprockets are beautifully detailed. CCM’s attention to detail is incredible - note the master link on the undercarriage chain and notched track pad grouser to highlight its position!
The rear track idler and bogey wheels articulates just like the real machine for good traction and operator ride comfort.
Configured as a Carrydozer with Multi-shank ripper, this machine is designed to carry loads in the 57 yd.³ (43.5m³) The Carrydozer blade has been replicated with an incredible amount of detail on the wear package and cutting edges, finely detailed top spill guard and on the rear of the blade too. The black paint finish is faultless.
Fine detail on the front radiator grill and the big exhaust stacks are impressive.
The rear catwalk is nicely detailed.
The Cat D11 CD and U-blade versions together.
Highly detailed ground-level fluid change & electrical center found mounted on the lower ripper cylinder casing.
1st Next-generation D11 in the world
I have written in Earthmovers Magazine about the first Next-generation D11 customer in the world, and I was so impressed, I thought I’d convert my standard D11 CD into a replica of the real machine that National Plant & Equipment operate, and thanks to National Group for supplying me with the company logos for this exercise.
In a deal with Queensland-based Caterpillar dealer Hastings Deering, National Group received the first two new-generation 104 tonne Cat D11 dozers off the production line in December 2019. The company then wasted no time in putting the Cat D11 dozer to work, with them hitting the dirt at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Blackwater mine in Queensland. A further four D11s quickly followed to take National Plant & Equipment fleet to 6 new D11 machines with big XU blades.
Hi-vis tape, National Plant & Equipment company logos fitted, and machine fleet number board made – with strobe-light safety beacon – also fitted for extra realism, on this already very impressive 1:24th scale die-cast model.
The first two D11s in the world hitting the dirt at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Blackwater mine in Queensland.
All six of National Plant & Equipment’s D11’s machines are fitted with a reclamation blade. This is also known as an XU Blade, which extends the dozer from a 34-cubic-metre blade to a 42.2-cubic-metre blade for extra high productivity. And is very close capacity to the CD version on the CCM model at (43.5m³)
In conclusion,
These are truly exceptional models and I would say CCM’s D11 is one of the most detailed 1:24th the scale Die-cast mining class dozers ever produced, as it would take hours to find every little nut, bolt, and detailed feature this big model has to offer, and would be the pinnacle of any Caterpillar dozer collection.
A production run of just 411 of the CD version and 511 units of the U-blade models have been produced. All versions of the Cat D11 are priced at $895. To order, checkout CCM’s website and their other available and upcoming models, by going to https://ccmodels.com/product-category/available-products/
Words and photos copyright of David Wylie.