N scale front loader?

[packers#1]

I'm planning a small layout based on the Hoosier Southern's Tell City, IN, end. The port of Tell City is used by a foundary to move raw materials from brge to their plant, and a front loader is used for the pig iron. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good source for a loader similar to the one in the picture in the link? I know GHQ made a bobcat, and that will work in a pinch if I must, but I'd prefer something more like the front end loader below.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1728901

[Pomperaugrr]

GHQ also made a great front end loader, but that is out of production.  They make an articulated log loader using the exact same body and chassis that just needs a simple scratched bucket.  This is still available in a number of online shops.

Here's one example:  http://www.ashlintrains.com/servlet/the-124/Log-Loader-GHQ-NScale/Detail

Walmart also sells some CAT front end loaders made by Norscott, for $1.97, if you can find them.  I think they are out of scale though.  With a little work they might be a decent stand in until something better comes along.
One very over-priced random example from the bay ( I have no connection to this whatsoever): http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CAT-906-Front-end-Loader-Construction-Minis-die-cast-Norscot-N-1-160-scale-/221184092846

Eric

[packers#1]

I've seen the log loader and it's in stock where I'll be ordering from, thanks.

[mu26aeh]

If you could find a set titled Hot Wheels Micro Planet Cat Machines Series 2, there is a front end loader in that set.  Works well for N Scale

[jimmo]

I'm planning a small layout based on the Hoosier Southern's Tell City, IN, end. The port of Tell City is used by a foundary to move raw materials from brge to their plant, and a front loader is used for the pig iron. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good source for a loader similar to the one in the picture in the link? I know GHQ made a bobcat, and that will work in a pinch if I must, but I'd prefer something more like the front end loader below.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1728901

This 1/150 scale Maruka Kawasaki wheel loader looks about right for your purposes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maruka-Hyper-Construction-Vol-1-Wheel-Loader-White-1-150-N-Scale-/330903649222?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4d0b64fbc6

I have a few different wheel loaders in N-scale and close to N-scale (1/150) including the GHQ loader. My favorite is still this Universal Hobbies keyring Komatsu WA470 model:
http://www.universalhobbies.net/keyring/construction-keyring/produit-komatsu-wa470-blister-3166-10162.html
All you have to do is cut off the keyring and loop and you got a nice little diecast loader.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have been trying to convince Dave that a Michigan wheel loader would be a great addition to his NZT line:


Yep, that Universal Hobbies Komatsu is killer. It scales within inches of true N scale:


On the left is the old Hotwheels Cat loader, followed by the Universal Hobbies Komatsu and finally the MZZ wheel loader:

Personally, the UH Komatsu is heads and shoulders above the Hot Wheels and even the "scale model" MZZ.

Ferrero (the Tic-Tac people) make small toys to go with chocolate egg candy. I rebuilt a New Holland toy into a passable W190 loader. I built a new bucket, boom and hydraulics from styrene, rebuilt the cab and added wire details. I still need to add proper wheels.


If you want something older, you can rebuild the Bachmann wheel loader into a Cat 944:

This conversion took a lot of work around the cab. I used wheels from an Athearn Ford panel van, though there may be better options out there now.

As mentioned by Jim, Maruka made a Kawasaki loader that was imported to the US. Fujimoto, another Japanese toy company made a much better model of a medium duty Hitachi ZW150 that would look at home anywhere.

And finally, Ertl makes a smallish John Deere wheel loader keychain. The toy scales out very well - within a few inches of N scale. Unfortunately, the lift arms, bucket and hydraulics are very basic and distract from the generally good proportions. One wishes Ertl could have learned a thing or two from the vastly superior Universal Hobbies Komatsu.

Ertl also made a Cat wheel loader around the same time the GHQ model came out. It certainly looks better than the Hot Wheels toy, but not really up to modeler's standards. Again, issues with the lift arm distract from the overall model.

And thus ends the long and sorted history of the N scale wheel loader.

[packers#1]

thanks for the leads, the keychain looks very promising.
Daniel, I could DEFINITELY use at least one if DKS made one of those; probably two, so one could work as a car puller at a grain elevator

[sirenwerks]

The construction zone variety of a front-loader is cute, but I'd like to see something heftier close to the trains, like at an aggregate or mine facility; maybe a 1960s Eaton Yale & Towne Trojan.

[jpwisc]

A big thanks for an old thread. I was not finding a viable wheel loader for my sand plant.
@daniel_leavitt2000 was spot on with the Komatsu keychain. I still need to finish weathering it, but it’s on the layout.

[Kentuckian]

A big thanks for an old thread. I was not finding a viable wheel loader for my sand plant.
@daniel_leavitt2000 was spot on with the Komatsu keychain. I still need to finish weathering it, but it’s on the layout.

Yes, thanks for bringing this up. I will need some kind of loader for the steel mill scrap pile.

[Philip H]

Mill's Fleet Farm often has them (For the midwestern folk) as well as IH and JD farm equipment.

[jmlaboda]

I have a few different wheel loaders in N-scale and close to N-scale (1/150) including the GHQ loader. My favorite is still this Universal Hobbies keyring Komatsu WA470 model:
http://www.universalhobbies.net/keyring/construction-keyring/produit-komatsu-wa470-blister-3166-10162.html

"This domain name may be for sale. Please click here to inquire."

[PeyRil]

If any one else is interesred I found a few searching the Google.
http://www.3000toys.com/mobi/detail.aspx?sku=UNIVERSAL%20HOBBIES5526

http://www.3000toys.com/mobi/detail.aspx?sku=UNIVERSAL%20HOBBIES5526

[bnsfdash8]

Anyone know how their excavator scales out? It doesn't look half bad.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Also 1/160

I have a few myself.