HO construction equipment, Part 2

In the preceding post to this one, I showed some very nice HO scale models of International-Harvester construction equipment that I undertook to weather for a friend. In that post I showed some prototype views to indicate how such equipment can look after time in service. You can view the post at: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2026/08/ho-scale-construction-equipment.html . The models were made by First Gear (see their website at: https://firstgearinc.com/diecast-replicas/ ).

I’ll begin with the smallest of the three vehicles, the I-H model 175. As mentioned previously, it has a ROPS cage (Roll Over Protection Structure), and a ripper at the rear. When the loader bucket and ripper are used, the teeth quickly become bare steel, and that’s been added. Tracks become a grayish “dirty steel” appearance. Overall brownish grime was added also, but the unit does not appear too old.

For comparison, here is a similar-sized vehicle from Caterpillar, somewhat different ROPS and a rear winch. Color and degree of dirt, and appearance of tracks, are useful to see (Cam Thompson photo).

The next model, the TD-25 bulldozer, also has a ROPS and ripper. A new, out of the box view was shown in the first post (linked in the first paragraph, above). Here again, the ripper teeth and the bottom edge of the blade would be bare steel after even a little use. Weathered separately from the model 175 shown above, the TD-25 has a little greater degree of grime. 

The third model is a different use of the basic TD-25 model, being equipped with a side boom and a rear winch. On the opposite side from the boom are counterweights (like many parts of the prototype that would be moveable, they are moveable on the model). This is apparently a rare model from First Gear, as it commands impressive prices on the internet. Here is a view of the model when new.

Weathering this model was approached slightly differently. Tracks were still changed to a “dirty bare steel” look, but a more grayish grime and dust was applied to the overall vehicle. Most other details were handled in a similar way to the other two models . 

This was an interesting project, both to learn about the prototype machines and to view some weathered prototypes. It’s been interesting.

Tony Thompson