[REVIEW] 8459 - Pneumatic Front-End Loader

[Freekysch]

REVIEW - 8459 - Pneumatic Front-End Loader

INTRODUCTION

Hi guys ! Today I am bringing a review of a set that I wanted for lots of years. In 1997, the release date of this set I was 7 years old and at that time I only could dream of having this set. Many years passed and this week I managed to buy this awesome set for only 40 euro in very good condition (beside the pneumatic cylinders which are kind of rusted - oh well, just my luck ). The 8459 Pneumatic Front-End Loader is a middle ranged set with 591 pieces. But in this pieces we can find a lot of goodies - 4 big wheels, an air tank, a decent number of pneumatic elements and some gears too. Ah, I forgot this set comes in 4-WD and has a V6 engine.

SET INFORMATION

Number: 8459

Title: Pneumatic Front-End Loader

Theme: Technic

Released: 1997

Part Count: 591

THE BOX and INSTRUCTIONS

As I do not own the box I can't tell you much about it, but back then I understand that the parts came in a nice plastic tray inside the actual box. Ok, so not let's talk about the instruction manuals. I must admit I didn't know that in 1997 LEGO had better instruction manuals then now. The quality of paper and the booklet itself is MUCH better than what we find today. In the instructions we can find both the A and B model. They are printed in a high quality paper with very good color reproduction. Another think, the size of the booklet is as a A4 sheet of paper.

As you can see, the step are very simple and easy to follow. In no point of the build I had to double check if I made mistakes.

THE PARTS

The parts assortment is very, very good. You get a ton of studded beams (which is a breath of fresh air from all the studless building that I am doing these days), lots of pneumatic hoses, pneumatic pump, cylinders and the cool air tank. The pneumatic hoses are much higher quality that the ones of 8110 Unimog, the are soft and you can put them in the cylinders very easy. Here you can see all pieces (minus the connectors).

Another thing I want to mention are the wheels and tires. They are much more rubbery that the ones we find on today sets. Even tho they are old, they are in perfect conditions. They are smaller then the ones of 8265 Front-End Loader, but similar in design.

As I have told you the pneumatic parts are in the above picture. 3 cylinders, a pump and an air tank.

THE BUILD

Here comes the fun part ! The build is super, very easy and pleasant. It took me 3 hours to make this set and in those hours the fun kept going till the end. Lets see the first part that you start with.

The building starts with the back differential and the mechanism that will turn the engine. As you would expect, there is no suspension o this model, nor the front or the back. The build is simple and the fact that is all studded it gives you a very different feel that the newer studless builds.

Next we build the front part of the Loader and under all the bricks there is another differential. So, as I mentioned this model has 4WD. The pneumatic hoses are put in place and the pneumatic cylinders are added to the front of the model. The models turns with the help of the Technic Gear 40 Tooth and this works very nice, way better than 8265s steering. Another great feature is that the steering wheel turns in the same time as the wheels.

The cab is added. It features a blue Technic seat. You can see both the HOG steering as the steering wheel in the cab. The last 2 pneumatic cylinders are added and the hoses are linked to them. The only thing to do in the front is to add the bucket. Now, lets move towards the back of the model.

The manual pump is added and we make place for the engine and the air tank. The air tank sits above the engine and it looks great. Also, the blue color of it brings a nice touch on the model.

This is the finished model, it is small but overall it looks great. In my opinion this is one of the best Front End Loaders out there, even better then 8265 - which was my favorite till now. I do not own the 42030 so I do not know what to say about that.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a great "little" Front-End Loader and the fact that is pure pneumatic it makes it shine. The looks are great, the parts are great, the model is great . Should you buy it ? Yes, and if you are lucky you can find it at a decent price. This set is worth every penny I paid for it. As far as I know, LEGO released this set twice, in 2001 and 2004. Other then the box there is no difference between this model and the other ones.

Lets score this set:

Design: 9,5 - I love everything about this set, it looks awesome.

Build: 9 - great fun build, great manual

Functionality: 10 - all function work perfectly, the pneumatic system rocks, the steering is nice.

Parts: 9.5 - very good part pack, but be careful to damaged old cylinders

Value for money: 10 - as you can get this set for a decent price, it gets a 10 !

Overall: I am not good with math, but this set is a big 10 from my side. A true classic with great functions and looks ! It won't let you down in any way.

I hope you enjoyed my review and feedback is always welcomed.

Thank you !

[D3K]

Great review, and it seems to be a super cool model!

[Kumbbl]

indeed - IMHO one of the best mid-size model/set TLG ever released - one of my alltime favorites...

I even own two of them because the B-model is also worth a build...

good review BTW

[Thirdwigg]

Thanks for the review. 8459 is a great set.

[paul_delahaye]

I bought this set from my local Woolworths years ago, for £40, when I got it home, the bucket was missing from the box, in those days, Woolworths used to remove the contents of high value toys from the box, and just display the empty boxes on the shelves, when they sold me the set, they had lost the bucket,

No email/websites or bricklink back then, but LEGO still replaced it with a freindly letter

[Freekysch]

I am very glad you like the review and the set as well.

[Mordep]

Thanks for the review, great!

It is one of my older sets that i have most liked and i've spent some money to revive the pneumatic system.

[jorgeopesi]

Beauty set .

[Jim]

Nice review!!

You are reviving the good ol' days with your reviews

[Tclancey]

I agree. For a small kit this one is very satisfying.

[Freekysch]

Nice review!!

You are reviving the good ol' days with your reviews

Thank you very much for your appreciation and I am very glad you like it.

[Rockbrick]

I got this set about 5 years ago coming out of my dark ages - @35 Euro and it came with more modern rounded cylinders...

then came 8455, 8421, and well the rest is history

[skaah]

Bought it about a year ago second hand. Loved the set, only minor annoyance is the stickers that go over multiple parts. I loved how the gear from the steering wheel connects - on an angle - with the gear from the turning mechanism.

[Rijkvv]

I still think this has to be the best Technic front loader released so far. Looking at video's and pictures of the overpriced Volvo even that set can't top this. The functions are great, and I think the size is perfect. I don't own one, unfortunately. I own a 8853 and was amazed by the looks and workings of my nephew's 8459. Funny how everyone calls 8459 little, while it was much larger than 8853, and the biggest Technic set I played with back in the day.

Thanks for the review!

[N-4K0]

Oh, I wanted this when I was younger

[kieran]

I have one as well, with some mods, love the set I think you did a great job on reviewing it.