DarkShadow73

Agreed my friend, I shall follow your lead! Think I'll pick up the 9393 Tractor just for the b model, the dune buggy/racer looks cool for a low price...

I see the new 2H2012 sets are now available on S@H US website. I'm kind of tossed up between the Helicopter, which can be motorized, but it really doesn't say what can be motorized, I would hope the top and rear propellers? If that's the case, due to the high pricetag of the Crawler, I would go for that one. Anybody know about how the motorizing works with the Helicopter? If its not the propellers, its really not worth it, don't want to waste my money, got plenty of PF parts but it isn't real clear on the S@H site, only that it uses the 8293 set, hopefully since doesn't say anything about those new L-motors in the Crawler...

Thanks DLuders, appreciate the repost... I was thinking the same thing Costas...though this is the only model except the 8275 Bulldozer I have that is full RC, well I might get the 9398 too, but that is just a driving RC. I was still thinking of taking apart all of my turntables and wiping on mineral oil, I just put a paper towel on the open bottle, upended it, then wiped both halves of the turntable twice then snapped it back together, what a difference. The other cranes I have utilize some of the same turntables even if not RC, but figured might as well just oil them all. I found with the 2nd one and so on, just enough finger force was enough to separate the halves without damage from a screwdriver or other prying device. Kind of nice they made them so easy to separate.

I just used a very thin flat blade screwdriver, just a tiny gouge, hardly even noticeable, it just popped apart. I greased both sides with just plain old mineral oil (black and gray), I got this idea long ago about lubing dry LA's from another topic and it works great and doesn't break down like most oils after a while, cheap stuff you buy in the pharmacy section of any store. I snapped it back together, and to my delight it when I turned on the battery box and used the remote it turned instantly. I noticed with the 12 extra turntables I have that many didn't spin freely, but this being the only RC product I have with the turntable I am not going through the hassle of lubing them all. Glad to know that is normal, thanks allanp... I am going to do Jurgen's ultimate version, can it be reposted so I know how to assemble the remotes? Thanks in advance, Eric

Once I get my head wrapped around something, I tend not to quit, so 3 turntables later (7 out of my 12 extras did not spin freely, maybe they get way after a while?) and lots of mineral oil as one suggested,and 3rd time it worked. I really did not want to disassemble and rebuild again, and even getting the turntable off looked to be impossible without disassembling a lot around it, so just pried it up and wiped lots of the oil on, snapped it back together and I'll be damned it worked, I was in awe. Only thing when releasing the superstructure from the undercarriage that axle with the all the stuff on it is a pain to get it all realigned. Only issue now is when I do the rotation the axles for the tracks tend to move a little too, but just a tiny bit. Can't really figure out why as they are all independent components on separate assemblies, but at least the bloody thing rotates now and is functional as an RC model and not just a $200 shelf piece. Thanks to those who offered usable input, I did try everything offered...and the one guy who did experience the same problem. I am still using the same mods for smaller bucket and the undercarriage raise for the butt sag, but it almost seems like you need a raise lift in the back too, it isn't 100% level when looking at it, but I don't see any way from the opposite end to do the same raise lift, too many gears and no way to pin on the assembly between the crossbeams... And to allanp, sorry I couldn't get my camera phone stills to upload to the computer, I'm not all that great with computers or my camera phone jpgs aren't compatible w/ a computer, otherwise I definitely would have sent them along.

Can't quite picture it, but did you try boat weights that are on the 8288 Crawler Crane? Not sure what you mean, that you or others have had this same problem? But it is an old model, yes, by now...I would imagine this issue was brought up before in the 2 years it is been out on the market, if the turntable turns when their is no weight from the superstructure on it, it rotates fast and smooth, put it back on the table, bam, there goes the rotation, it may start ok, but then slows down or stops...another poster said he had similar problems with this. Could be I'm tightening the gearing too much, but I did try to give this one some play, enough so all the gears meshed, but not enough they skipped a tooth... I have tried modding just the undercarriage boost, hardly any weight there, just a few thin liftarms and a couple 2L axles and did the mod for the smaller bucket, which actually lightens the model a bit as opposed to the original oversized bucket...heck maybe I'll try building it stock and see what happens...

When you built a crawler, what do you mean exactly?

Hear you there buddy...those 2 pneumatic cylinders slowly lost air pressure even if fitted tightly(the pneumatic tubing on both the cylinders, pump and valve). I'd come out in the morning and the crane arm was down, much like the 8455 Backhoe Loader, it never stayed upright...in both situations, pneumatics are fine for most everything else, but LA's would be better for especially the 8421, especially if displayed. I even got to the point frustrated with it constantly coming down that I cut a piece of solid tubing used in the 8273's cab and used it as a 'prop'. Took a bit of finagling but it worked eventually...

I am wondering wide the front end of the main model 9397 is. It looks to be about 13L, but my trailer was 15 wide which would mean the trailer wheels would hang out wider than the tractor, obviously don't want that, want all wheels front and back to be even. If its 15L I'm all set, just wondering. I actually haven't built any of my 9397's yet, been a crazy spring and summer. Had some health issues, and dealing with mom in her nursing home, but this would be the perfect chance to build a real US-looking tractor/trailer setup if I add the kingpin to the trailer and the fifth wheel to the tractor, taking off the log holders and crane arm. I have enough black panels from some 8041 and 8109 sets to make it decent length. Probably will have to tip over the 8285 b model I have to see how to pin on the 2 extra sets of dualies. Easy question I would imagine... Thanks, Eric

Oops, guess I was bit off to be exact... Probably was the flagship due to full RC and largest of 2010...it seems the the lower piece count is mainly because it contains many specialized features...I was looking at the 9398 Rock Crawler and it has less pieces, but many features, and RC too... Guess I'm not the only one with problems with the rotation, I did change it to the gray side up(turntable) and same issues, works fine if no weight on it from the superstructure, set it down and it slows down and stops...I'm kind of giving up on this one. Kinda sucks as it is meant to be USED as RC, unlike most large Technic models, I am thinking the weight is the issue and actually the mod I did installing the smaller bucket should actually have put less weight on as opposed to the larger, wrong scale bucket, also did the saggy butt mod, but its only a couple extra pieces and they can't weigh much of anything, probably less than an average 15L beam... I rather agree Dan, seems like you get a lot of criticism, some topics you post never replied to, I have noticed this in the nearly 2 years I've been on the forum. I do add replies to some, and occasionally post a new topic, but man some can be really critical. I suck at MOC's, but I do read about mods, mainly the Excavator and the Unimog ones and have implemented them. I did get some good advice on this topic I started, but sometimes it feels like you get ignored cause you aren't as good as the MOC builders. I did create a semi flatbed trailer based somewhat off the 8063's trailer, just without the ugly green panels, but shoot if I didn't dismantle it a year or so ago and have forgotten how I did it, the kingpin worked perfectly for the 8436's fifth wheel, now am going to try to create a trailer for the 9397, building it without the crane arm and log holders, just have to figure out to add the fifth wheel. I live in the US, so all of our tractor-trailer semis use the snout-nosed style of tractor, like Kenworths, Freightliners, Volvos, etc.

Alright Dan - you got me, lol, I don't have tons, maybe about a dozen or so... I like a bit humor, breaks up the real serious stuff...I was getting about ready to smash this thing into 1300+ pcs last week, or however many it has, I think its 1200-1300...think you might have hit reply a couple too many times... Eric

Yeah haven't seen those TRU sales in a long time, but the 4 area stores near me have hardly any Technic, guess it isn't a big seller in Michigan. Every once in a while you get a surprise, like 2 Excavators showing up 2 years after release, and a load of Supercars not too long ago at the store closest to me. If there had been a BOGO 50% sale, might have picked up more cars. I was kind of waiting to see if those 4 TRU's ever got the 9397, hasn't happened yet, kind of doubtful it will. Well their error was my hit, I got 2 9397's in late January, just happened to look for any sales and was shocked to see it, didn't really have the money, but it just happened to be on a week with a BOGO 50% off deal so I picked up 2. Just out of curiosity I checked later that evening and they were off the website completely and I began to wonder if my order had been cancelled due to the error you spoke of, I even called the next day to their Cust Svc and indeed they were on their way. Guessing 'somehow' their distribution center must have gotten a shipment from Lego intended for release in early March, but someone screwed up and put them up on the site, even saw most of the new releases on their store shelves way before actual release, summer and right before Jan. 1. I figure hey if they market it, I'm going to buy it. I can recall the summer 2010 lineup, and I wanted all 3 of the items, the Excavator, Mobile Crane and Container Truck, but the nearest store that had them, a lot smaller store than the ones in my general vicinity, and I drove 65 miles each way to get them, nice run anyway, hot, sunny, breezy weather. A fast freeway heading south towards Chicago. Might have to put that one off this year, its been a blazer in Michigan, highs in the 90s and 100s most of the past 3 weeks or so and a lot more to come, and the good ol AC isn't working that well anymore...but if it was something I really wanted, I'd good for it. In my experience with TRU, they seem to release at MSRP, then jack them up a few weeks later, at least that's what happen in retail TRU's around here... Mike and I both live in Michigan and they seem to show here for a brief time then are gone, only to reappear at odd times. I haven't talked with Mike via e-mail in a while, but I would guess he probably got his 9397 online when they did their 'oops release' in January. DLuders - I know you are a respected guy in this forum, but I would do like I did and check to MAKE SURE they are actually processing the order. In my estimation, one other time I got an order cancelled and it took like 2 to 3 days for them to send me an e-mail advising that I would receive credit, believe it was the 8109 Flatbed Truck from last summer, they said it was in stock, and it went through processing, but it never went through to the shipment process with me getting a UPS tracking no... Have over 100 VIP points and ordered another 9395 Tow Truck plus shipping for free and still have points to spend. That's a great program S@H has. Here you there Xan326 - all I've seen in a while is just the plane and 2 other tiny Technic sets. Only rarely do they stock the big ones. Haven't received my 20% off coupon yet, did you all get them? Looking like they are indeed out of the 9398 already. What's funny is, they have dropped the prices to MSRP values or lower on most models, wonder if its permanent?

Ouch, $200 for the crawler. Guess its inline with the Unimog from last summer. Surprised the Helicopter isn't more, its even less than the 9397 Logging Truck, but looks way more sophisticated.

I was looking for some alternate model instructions on lego.technic.com website and I see the new summer models instructions are already posted there. Are they out in stores yet? I checked TRU which notoriously releases models early and didn't see them there, S@H didn't have them on their site either. I know lots of times they come out in stores and online about the middle of July in my experience. Anybody seen them pop up anywhere? The Rock Crawler looks exceptionally fun. Eric

Holy crap, that might the problem, my turntable has the black facing upwards...only thing is another breakdown, but maybe it will be easy enough just to pull the gray pins with bushes to remove the superstructure and hope it will be an easy reversal...thanks, hopefully this will cure the problem... I've got tons of turntables in my spare parts, might just as well change it out too as well as making sure the gray side is facing up. Guess any experienced Technic builder can get things wrong...I'll be the first to admit I'm not perfect...thanks for all the advice...I will try both of these seemingly easily fixes and let you all know... Eric

@allanp - that would be an almost impossible task as most of the gearing is hidden, the only clear view I could give is the 8-tooth gear riding on the turntable. If I take the fairing assembly apart on that side, all you can really see is the worm gear with the 7L axle and full bush on the end of it that connects to the gray 16-tooth gear. As far as watching it full action on, I would need a camcorder or some other device I suppose, a digital camera or taking pics with my cell wouldn't probably be too clear. My iPod does a streaming video option, I might try that, but I would imagine the pics might be grainy, but I'll try. @Alasdair - well you might be right, I admit I'm not always perfect when assembling and this particular set is a challenge no doubt. I suppose I could try again, but up real late a couple nights trying to reassemble it. I really thought it would work, but the thing I don't understand is how the turntable turns freely when holding it up in the air just balancing it under the tracks but when I set it back down, it almost like its too heavy to turn itself without acting all jerky and stopping. Thanks again one and all for your replies, I will try the pic/video option allanp suggested first, its not a long assembly, but disassembly is almost as hard as the 8455, takes a long time with nice raw thumbs and forefingers afterwards...

I did actually disassemble one of my 8043's with different IR receivers and M-motors, but I STILL can't get the rotation of the superstructure to turn without turning slowly or just stopping. I did replace the batteries in both the battery box and remotes with Energizer Alkalines, but no difference. I then put in Energizer 2300 MaH rechargebles, but still no difference. One note when I hold the model up in the air buy the tracks, and I hit the remote for turning, it works fine, but then when I put it on a surface, tried by rubber work tables, on my garage cement floor, and on carpet inside, still same problem. This is really frustrating, and I did buy one of later releases, so this is not the original release that had the problems with the LA's and added on the pieces to the base. Every other function works fine. I can see the 8-tooth gear aligned with the turntable, and carefully built the gearing going all the way back to the motor. I know many of you offered up solutions, but nothing is working, like I said though when I hold the base of the model in my hand it rotates freely with no issues.

I have viewed a few topics on heavier and thicker string/cord for use in winches, cranes, etc. I searched and can't find the topic(s). I believe somebody from Australia came up with a heavier string from an arts and crafts store. I searched Amazon but don't really know what to buy. Any help or a repost or redirect to that topic? Thanks, Eric

Thanks guys - I will try to tear it down and see where I might have gone wrong...no criticism taken the wrong way, I needed feedback and I got it...I'll let you know what happens...

I often wonder if I inspired the forestry MOCs...I put up a thread about being a huge fan of Ax Men on History Channel, that is one great looking feller-buncher...better than the design I had put on paper...looks like the base of the 8043? @turtleman2020 - after your 172nd post, surprised you haven't bought any Technic yet, though I'm not sure if post count carries over from different themes or not...Technic is where its at, I was into space themes in the 90's and early into the 2000's, but once I bought my 8448 Supercar in 2001, I was hooked on Technic and though I do buy a few City sets from time to time just because they seem to fit into my construction scenes (like the 7632 Crawler Crane and the Single Drum Roller, can't recall the set # off hand), I'm a diehard Technic fan, and am glad I found this forum in 2010, I have seen more and more spectacular MOC's and MOD's than I ever would have thought and have made quite a few friends here, a couple right in Michigan where I live...one right downtown from me that I have bought a good deal from last year...

Look at the super short run of the 8275 Bulldozer from 2007? It was released in the US in Sept and gone from S@H by December of that same year. If I recall the 8258 didn't have a long run here in the US either, I believe it came out and a few months later, gone, then if I recall it made a short comeback then was gone again. I'm really surprised they haven't appreciated in value all that much like many other retired sets, that thing was a monster, crane was a bit disappointing, it never seemed to fold just right, but I added the led light kit to it in one of the lower front fairings, set it on my toilet tank cover(call me twisted if you want), and I'd turn it on, those lights lit up the room pretty well, was kind of eerie. As far as the 8043 it is had a LONG run, usually I have seen things start to disappear after about 1.5 years, but in past few years they seem to be around a rather long time, and we get very nice spring offerings too, and more and more great 1H sets too. The 9395 was something for 1H2012, then the eagerly awaited 9397, which, whoops, TRU had on their website in late January when it was supposed to be a March 1 release. I picked 2 of them up on January 27, am betting a lot of others did as well, they were sold out in a day or two, but then gee, they came back in February for, whoops, another 'pre-release'. Picked up more then on another BOGO 50% sale. Cripes, I talk too much, but its like a family here, but I'm betting the 8043 won't be around too very much longer, maybe until the 2H sets come out soon, then they will probably stop producing or stocking any more, and they will just sell out. I'm kind of at odds with the set because of some issues, but it is a great model to not only look at on a shelf, but play with too. Now only if I could get my superstructure to rotate as it should... Oh, just an add-on, wish I had snapped up more 8275's when they were out for that brief time, that was one cool set and a very fun build...planned on it, then was in disbelief when I went on the website in December and it said SOLD OUT, not BACKORDERED...wonder what happened? It was an extremely popular set at the time, and guess it still is, it is garnering big bucks...

Shoot, I can't figure out what might be wrong, its just like the rotation just turns jerkily and then most times just stops altogether while holding the stick forward or backward. I can see the IR receiver light blinking and actually I did put straight (good quality Energizer) AA's in the battery box and the rechargeables DLuders was referring to in the other battery box. I have changed the rechargeables back and forth to straight alkalines, no difference. Believe me, I have checked the 8 tooth gear that turns the turntable and it is aligned with the turntable, sometimes it slips a bit downwards, seems like the old gray 8 tooth gears were more tight on an axle, but maybe I'm wrong. But, beyond that I can see whole string of assemblies from the motor up to the worm gear and all seems correctly aligned, I wonder if I tightened the assemblies too tight maybe? I know from the fronts of all Technic instruction booklets not to 'jam' gears between liftarms and such, but less than totally dismantling and reassembling one of them, seems to be an impossibility to disconnect that function without major disassembly, which really I probably wouldn't remember what went where once I got to what I needed to. The changeover catch totally engages into the dk gray 16 tooth gear at the rear, so I don't think that's the problem. It would seem to me that having 2 of them do the same thing, it couldn't be the m-motor that drives this function. On DLuders comment, it does track better on one side than the other with alkalines in the battery box, but that isn't much of a problem. I simply am at wit's end. The mods I did was not the ultimate one, just the mod for the smaller excavator bucket and the mod to on the undercarriage to reduce butt sagging, didn't do the whole remote control thing, don't think it would help this issue anyway, its just a more sleeker remote control without all the switching between functions. And to the other commenters I didn't even begin building it until I had the upgrade kit in October 2010. I almost started, but then saw the issues with the LA's especially, so both excavators have the updated kits installed, and all other functions on both work fine, even with one being exposed to cobwebs and dust for almost a year. And to Grum64, no offense whatsoever taken, I have built every Technic large set since the 8448 Supercar and never had any real big problems, except for the restringing of the 8053 Mobile Crane as I tried to reel it back in (PF applied), string kept going off the reel and getting all tangled, and with the 8295, which was way too underpowered with PF applied. I bought this model because after the RC Bulldozer which worked flawlessly for me, I was enthralled with RC Technic and I have always had an interest in Excavators in general. I love the more compact 8294 with the motor and led light kit installed and the mods I did to make it RC, only thing I couldn't figure out was how to install another motor for the rotation of the superstructure, it is too small, I had a lot of wires and motors all over the place and couldn't find a good place for another one, so guess you couldn't fully RC, but it tracks, turns and the shovel functions work great. All in all, I guess I didn't get any real answers here, but I do thank all of you who commented, maybe somebody else will pop up who had a similar experience with the rotation, but as fast as topics go down the list, it might get lost in a day or two. Guess after that, I'll just have to tear one of them down and reassemble. I might be able to get away with just unpinning the boom functions and starting from scratch. Thanks, Eric and thanks for any comments from here on out that might help me or similar experiences.

Ok, on the other topic, I took all of your replies in hand and the surgery required took some time, but I did fix the changeover catch issue. All functions run flawlessly, except for one, and I am not a newbie Technic builder, I've been building a long, long time. The turntable swiveling...either it goes jerky, almost agonizingly slow, or it just stops completely. The tracking with this model has been brought up here a few times and is subpar, but I never really paid a LOT attention, except I just bought another one from TRU a couple months ago, and I would hate to think I paid $200 to maybe build the 'b' model only. I have 2 of them built, and as this is likely the most challenging, well at least as of 2010, model yet to come out, I went slowly and meticulously on each build, modifying both with mods I picked up here, mostly bucket attachments, butt sag, etc. I pulled off the side panel where the gearing for this function runs and it is rather confusing as unless I completely tear it down, but from the 8-tooth gray gear turning the turntable underneath I can track it all the way back to the changeover catch. Everything seems fine, and since this is happening to both of my 8043's built the exact same way (I turned both battery boxes on and used the same remote just to see what happened and both reacted in the same fashion. In case you are wondering, I did change the batteries in both battery boxes and in both remotes, even tried the Energizer 2300maH (think I got that right, the silver/green ones) rechargeables with more power, supposedly, and no change. I'm really getting quite disheartened with this item, but I've got 2 of them built, and more sealed for resale. Once again I did check as good as I could with the limited space and almost zero tolerance to get to the shaft assemblies and gears to see if they were too tight or loose, all seemed ok. So, once again I ask the group, any ideas on this issue? I know I'm sounding like a downer of this model, but first the clutching problem almost made me want to give up on them, luckily that was fixed by helpful members, but not I need some ideas on if this happens to others as well? I can't imagine I have a weak motor for this function, I really have hardly used either of them except for shelf display, but being full RC, it is no 8294. That model actually works fine and I modded it for turntable turns and it works flawlessly, but I am about ready to smash $400 worth of Excavator against the floor or wall in frustration. Oh and I did clean any dust and cobwebs from the units just in case of hanging a gear up, but I would imagine this isn't the problem anyway... Thanks and I appreciate any experience or fixes with this function, Eric

Hi - I am having a real problem with my 8043 Excavator. On the remotes you have the ability to changeover with the red switch from the movement to the digging functions. When I go to changeover from one function to another I cannot get the gearbox to changeover, it catches in the middle(neutral position) or won't fully engage each set of functions. I believe it has something to do with the yellow gearknob wheels, they are really tight in turning even by hand pushing on them. I hate to take the whole thing apart, and I carefully assembled it. Anybody else have this problem? It got me so mad last night I always smashed it against the floor. I've changed to fresh batteries in both the battery box and remotes, but no change, its almost like the whole assembly attached to the gearbox is too tight or something. I tried loosening it up, but no difference. I can see the IR receivers are fully lit and blinking slightly as I try to engage one end or another and upon looking at the directions, I do have the channels aligned correctly. I never considered this a problem as the functions work fine on either side. I can get it from one function back to neutral position, but then it just like sticks and will engage partially, but not fully enough to do either function without forcing the gear knob wheels by hand, which is kind of ridiculous for a fully functional RC model. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated. I don't have this problem with the 'b' model track loader, its been built for a couple years, but I don't believe if I recall, don't have it next to me, the remotes don't have a changeover between tracking and the shovel functions. BTW, this is the original release, but the only issue with that was the LA's and I did replace the LA's with the new lubed ones, but that really doesn't apply to this problem anyway. Thanks, Eric

Gee ya think? I can't recall a medium size set like the 8288 to go so high so fast. Seems like last winter it was around the $300-400 range, now its going for around $600 or more, MISB. I actually have 1 of them MISB and probably now I am thinking I will keep it that way, had intended to build the tower crane, already have the regular crane put together, but I have dollar signs in my eyes...that is if anybody is crazy enough about it to pay that much or more, in say a year or so...also have a 8455, 2 - 8421's, and 3 - 8285's NISB, can't say they are really mint as all are fairly old now, but there is a bit of shelf wear on each, but at their asking prices nowadays I have to resist opening them. Already have one of each built anyway, just way dusty. Speaking of which, off-topic here, I know there have been threads about cleaning Lego from time to time, and I have washed non-motorized stuff in the sink or outside carefully with a bucket of water or two, but with most everything motorized now, how do you do it reasonably? Those cans of compressed air are expensive...plus I lube all of my LA's in mineral oil and they occasionally leak, creating a sticky mess that all matter of dust and crap sticks to, what is the best method? Thanks, Eric