[REVIEW] 8862 - Backhoe Grader

[ABslego]

Recently I had the opportunity to buy this nice oldie.

It is the 1989 Technic flagship set, 25 years old, but still in great condition

Many Technic fans will still remember this set from their childhood. I've never had it, it was too expensive :)

So for me it's the first time building it.

The box front and rear:

Compared with the currently used boxes for the big sets, this is rather a small box.

Despite it's age, it is still in very good state.

The parts:

This set comes with a total of 671 parts.

Not a huge amount of pieces, but it does have a good variety. A lot of beams, plates, gears, axles and of course pneumatics.

Also some special parts: I've never seen that big black brick before. It's really heavy and is used as a counterweight in front of this machine. Another not so common part is the threaded shaft.

Builing:

What immediately stands out is that instructions are more difficult than today. A lot more pieces are added in each single step.

Building is going really fast forward, and it's much easier to forget something.

You'll see in the pics below, how fast it goes.

I have to say, I like that! The sets of these days I often find too easy.

After 4 steps:

Step 5:

At step 10:

Step 13:

Step 15:

Step 18:

Step 20: a lot of pneumatic hoses

Step 22:

Step 24:

Step 26: finished the back boom.

Step 27: this is already the last step. The complete front bucket is build in this last step :)

Finished:

First let's compared it to it's newer brother, the Technic set 8455.

As you can see the 8862 is a bit larger. Also the difference between studded and non-studded is clearly visible here, but both has it's charms.

Also their functioning varies quite a bit. The newer 8455 is completely pneumatic, while the 8862 has only a pneumatic back bucket. The turning of the back bucket, the complete front bucket system and the outriggers are all operated mechanical.

Some parts in this old set have already an improved version. For example the bevel gears. The old ones (left) just are not as good as the new ones are (right). Sometimes they just pop off the shaft, and they do not run as smoothly as the new version does.

Conclusion

Personally, I like the 8455 a little bit more, but this set is also highly recommended!

Pros

Lots of functions (8 in total)

Great playability

High nostalgia factor

Big model

Scale and looks are good

Interesting B model

Cons

Front scope is a bit weak

The bevel gears

Which set you love the most?

Edited December 31, 2013 by ABslego

[DrJB]

Great Job and Nicely done review! Comparing the two gives one an appreciation of how far the studless have come.

Definitely the 8455 is my preferred ... though I'm a bit biased as I had operated a real backhoe and just love the many controls the 8455 has.

Edited December 31, 2013 by DrJB

[zux]

Nice review! I wonder where threaded axle is being used, as couldn't find it on any of photos.

[ABslego]

Nice review! I wonder where threaded axle is being used, as couldn't find it on any of photos.

Thanks!

In step 18 you can see it a little bit. It's in the turning point of the back boom.

[Doc_Brown]

Great review! Thanks for sharing that with us. :)

From a looks point of view, 8455 seems nicer. More realistic proportions.

[Kumbbl]

Yes, the epic pneumatic marvel 8455 is unbeatable (one of the best sets ever, quite genius) - nevertheless this 8862 is a wonderful set - one of the best from the studded area... a very symetric and elegant building technic... and on top one big advantage to the 8455: Whereas the B-model of the 8455 is quite boring (once built and immediately dismantled) the B-model of 8862 is a very good harvester (with plenty of room for MODs) , quite worth a set of its own...

So, agree: 8862 = :thumbup:

[KirTech LAB]

Thanks for review!!! I've received my 8862 one week ago (in "used" condition) - it is really greate set! Its front bucket control is amazing. I have 8455 too and i think that its elder brother isn't worse!

As for me i like old building instructions because they are not so primitive as modern "one part to step" instructions...

[Laui]

Thanks for bringing back some wonderfull memories!

The 8862 was the first bigger set i had when i was a kid and i guess i never had a more inspiring model until today... And i did a lot of modifications to it like pneumatics for the front bucket, later a drivetrain and first experiences with several different gearboxes, make the rear boom detachable and put a threepoint linkage on, several tools for it... and so on ;)

And with all that it maybe helped a bit more to get me into what i'm doing now: Servicing and Instruct people about farm machines ;)

Greeting from Germany and (for those who read this in time) a happy new year ;)

Stefan

[Lakop]

I remember this set when it came out but could not afford it ( I could not afford anything back then). However, I do have the pneumatics and the two buckets from it but can't remember how I got them. I think I might have bought them from lego years later.

Thanks for the review and the great pictures.

H

[Carrera124]

I prefer 8862, but imho it is "too much" yellow. A black chassis would have been a good idea.

But either way, 8862 is the 1989 flagship set, so it is a must-have for all studded technic collectors

Building is rather easy. And the B-model is really great.

[nicjasno]

It is on my want list.