TomyTec Log Transporter Set

[cfritschle]

TomyTec recently released a sawmill truck set and log transporter set that feature 1:150 scale models.  I purchased the log transporter set to see if the vehicles in this set would work with 1:160 scale models.

The Isuzu TXD-50A in this set was originally released in TomyTec Truck Collection 8.  This truck reminds me of the surplus military trucks that were auctioned off after World War II, and were repurposed for civilian use.  The mini excavator with “claw” in this set was first released as a flatbed load in TomyTec Truck Collection 12.  However, the crawler transporter in this set is new tooling as far as I can tell, and the model appears to be based on a Morooka prototype, which has been marketed in the U.S.

Trainworx Peterbilt 351 log truck, TomyTec Isuzu TXD-50A, the crawler carrier, and the mini excavator with claw


I included the Trainworx logging truck in the comparison photo to give you a better idea of how the vehicles in this set look with a “known” 1:160 scale model.

A close up view of the crawler carrier with the bed tilted for unloading


The closest prototype for the crawler carrier that I have been able to find so far is the Morooka MST800VD. 

And, does anyone know if logging companies actually use crawler carriers for transporting logs anywhere in North America?

Note:  I did not include the operator and logs that came with this set in the photos.   

[peteski]

Looking at the crawler carrier vehicle I find it odd that the running gear (black parts) seem to be finely detailed, while the rest of the vehicle (yellow parts) looks rather crude, simplified, and clunky.

[cfritschle]

Peter,

I have had a couple of different thoughts about the tooling for the crawler carrier. 

One, TomyTec had a budget that only allowed for crisp detailed tooling of the under carriage, and the super structure just had to be close to looking like a prototype.  The tooling for some of the "loads" in the TomyTec Truck Collection 12 that was released last year is really not up to what we generally expect to see from TomyTec.  The detail on the trucks, especially the cabs, is exquisite.  But loads, not so much.  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10599233

The other thought comes from examining the boxes from other recently released TomyTec vehicle models, and noticing those all have an "Officially Licensed Product" label with the name of the prototype vehicle's manufacturer.  I think that it is possible that Mooroka might have required a license to produce an accurately detailed model of one of their machines. 

While both of these thoughts are purely speculation, we do have Woodland Scenics' examples of "soft detail models" that are generally recognizable as representing specific prototypes, but differ enough from the prototype that apparently the manufacturer of the prototype is not confident in pursuing a trade dress lawsuit, or even sending a cease and desist letter.

I am guessing budget restraints as the most likely reason, but maybe neither thought is the real reason for the lack of detail on the super structure of the crawler carrier.   

[peteski]

Thanks for your thoughts Carter.  Like you said, we don't know (and likely never know) the reason for the difference in the execution quality of those models. I just find it strange when I see things like this.