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1/25 scale International® Model 350 Pay® Hauler
Off-highway hauler trucks primarily used in the mining industry are monstrous vehicles among which are the largest trucks ever built. Today these trucks are capable of carrying loads with a gross vehicle weight of more than one million pounds!
A common misunderstanding that seems to be implied from the name ‘off-highway’ is that these trucks are very effective for use in rough terrain. In fact, these monsters perform somewhat poorly when traveling on such surfaces due to the constant twisting, gyrating and bumping motions that adversely affect the trucks in various ways, including the suspensions, frames, axles, and other components. They are ideally suited for travel on firm, well maintained roads, so upkeep of the terrain on which these trucks operated on a job site became a necessary function of the construction or mining companies.
Construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s spearheaded the move among truck manufacturers to develop trucks that were specifically targeted to off-highway use. Then known as the Boulder Dam, it is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River on the border between Arizona and Nevada. This enormous project, the likes of which had never been attempted before, required advancements in many technological areas that also affected heavy truck design. Rather than merely continuing to adapt hauler trucks to off-highway use, truck manufacturers began to build trucks specifically targeted for that purpose.
Among the truck manufacturers that established separate divisions within their companies to build these incredible haulers was International Harvester. International was well established in the truck manufacturing industry and therefore well-suited to making the transition into the dedicated heavy hauler market, with their first release coming in 1957 as the 24 ton Model 95.
The ever increasing demand for more load capacity and power for mining and large construction hauler trucks resulted in almost constant changes to the configuration of these trucks. For a time in the late forties and early fifties companies doubled-up on such components as the axles, drive trains and even engines to meet the need for more power and capacity. By the 1960s, ever evolving technology enabled these components to become stronger and more powerful, and single axles and drive trains as well as single engines were again possible. In 1963 International introduced an entirely new line of off-highway haulers featuring 4-wheel drive rigid frame trucks with a capacity of 45 tons initially, eventually increasing to 50 tons. The cycle of weak components versus larger capacities was repeated in the 1970s but again technology managed to catch up with or even surpass the need.
One significant event occurred in 1982 when International Truck, the only remaining truck manufacturer still making both highway and off-highway trucks at that time, sold all of its construction equipment lines including the Pay Hauler. From that point on, off-highway haulers were, and still are, made by companies exclusively specializing in such trucks.
One of the most popular International Truck off-highway haulers was the Model 350 Pay® Hauler. The real Model 350 hauler had a 50-ton payload; a 560 hp engine; power shift transmission with 10 forward and 2 reverse gears; planetary drive full-floating front & rear axles; and full-time hydraulic power steering. The cab was fully insulated for sound & heat; had a 2-man depth, 1-man width; adjustable “Airride” seat; adjustable tilting steering wheel; heater; defroster; cab air filter pressurizer; and shatter resistant tinted glass. The body hoist featured dual, 3-stage, double-acting cylinders mounted outside the frame and could reach maximum dump in 17 seconds. Gross weight with rated payload was approximately 172,000 pounds. A number of options were available including air conditioning, back-up alarm horn, and vandalism protection devices.
The Model 350 Pay Hauler is the truck we have chosen to replicate as our next release in our popular 1/25 scale Construction Pioneers® series. This particular diecast metal monster is based on the 1970s era International Model 350 and measures 14.25” long, stands approximately 6” high, and weighs approximately 6 pound. Among the many features are opening cab door with authentic interior detail, opening battery door, tilting dump body, poseable front wheels, and authentically detailed engine and drive train.
We trust this monstrous machine will make a great addition to your 1/25 scale construction collection, so make sure to order yours today!
Last Updated - 8/20/2010 1:46 PM
