Not sure what model drive is usually inside the 18tb elements but I got a WDC_WD180EDGZ-11B2DA0 with mine. It reports as 7200rpm.

Not sure what you mean with then clamping down on shucking, I have only ever bought Elements and there has not been any changes in the last 3 years at least. With shucked hdds it will always be a sata drive inside with a sata to usb adapter. With ssds this will differ.

Finally, the $299 price is quite poor. For that price it would be cheaper to buy new.