FAQ

The CAT radio-control models

Are they genuine Caterpillar products?

Yes. They are made by Diecast Masters under official licence from Caterpillar, with the real Cat machine yellow and the real trade dress. MiningToy is an authorised retailer of the range in Australia.

What do the scales mean?

1:64 is pocket size — a 336 excavator is about 10 cm long. 1:35 is the shelf-and-carpet size, 24 to 30 cm long. 1:24 is the big range, 33 to 49 cm long, with a 35 m range and lights and sounds on the premium models. 1:20 is the heavy die-cast collector machine, over 50 cm long. Every product page has a Specifications table with the exact dimensions, so you can judge the size before you buy.

Which batteries do I need?

1:24 premium (336, D7E, 950M, 745): a rechargeable 500 mAh lithium battery, USB charger and 2 × AAA for the controller are included — about 40 minutes of play, 3.5 hours to charge. 1:24 Series 25005 and 25006: 5 × AA in the machine and 2 × AAA in the controller, not included. 1:35: 3 × AA in the machine and 2 × AAA in the controller, not included. 1:64: see the packaging for the controller batteries. 1:20 die-cast: rechargeable battery pack and USB cable included, about an hour of running time, three hours to recharge.

Can two machines run at the same time?

Yes. The remotes work on 2.4 GHz and pair with their own machine — up to 12 machines together on the 1:24 range — so a loader can fill a truck while an excavator digs next to them without interfering with each other.

What age are they for?

The 1:64 range is marked 3+ on our site, the 1:35 and 1:24 ranges 8+. The age marking is on each product page. The die-cast 1:20 is a collector model — heavy, detailed and not designed to be dropped.

Can I use them in the sandpit or at the beach?

Sand gets into gears and water gets into electronics; neither counts as a fault. Firm, damp sand and a wipe-down afterwards is fine. Dry, fine sand and salt water are not.

What if it breaks?

Faulty or damaged on arrival: send us a photo or a short video and we send the part, replace the machine or refund you, postage on us. Not happy with it for any other reason? You have 30 days to send it back for a full refund. Details on our 30-Day Returns & Spare Parts page.

The brick building sets

Do they work with the bricks I already have?

Yes. Mould King and Reobrix bricks use the standard stud system and are compatible with the major brick brands. MiningToy is not affiliated with any of those brands.

Are instructions included?

A printed instruction booklet is in every box. The motorised sets also include the motors, the battery box and the remote control listed on the product page.

A piece is missing or broken. What now?

Tell us the set number and the piece number from the booklet and we send the replacement free of charge. This is the most common request we get and it takes a minute.

Why do brick sets take longer to arrive?

They ship from our partner warehouse rather than from Perth. Allow 8 to 13 business days; shipping is still free and you get a tracking number as soon as the parcel is on its way.

What age are the brick sets for?

Most of the motorised sets are recommended for 14 and up because of the piece count and the mechanisms, not because they are dangerous. A patient ten-year-old with an adult nearby will manage the smaller sets. All sets contain small parts and are not suitable for children under 3.

Which set should I start with?

Under 1,500 pieces for a first build (a weekend), 1,500 to 3,000 for a confident builder, 3,000 and up for the big motorised machines. Our Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced collections sort the range by difficulty.

Shipping and ordering

Is shipping really free?

Yes. Every order ships free to anywhere in Australia and New Zealand, with no minimum spend and no surcharge for regional or remote postcodes — from a $24 keyring to the 1:20 die-cast excavator.

How long does delivery take?

Cat® models ship from Perth with Australia Post: 3 to 5 business days anywhere in Australia, 6 to 12 business days to New Zealand. Brick sets come from our partner warehouse: 8 to 13 business days. Need it by a particular date? Ask us before you order.

Do you ship outside Australia and New Zealand?

Not at the moment. We ship to Australia and New Zealand only.

Can I change my mind after ordering?

Yes — satisfied or refunded. You have 30 days from delivery to send an item back, complete and in its original packaging, for a full refund of the purchase price. Return postage is at your cost for a change of mind; if the item is faulty, we cover everything. See our Returns & Refunds page.