DarkShadow73

Brilliant it is, fuchsia is a real interesting color. Part of the reason I bought the 9457 Ninjago(sorry) Fangypre Wrecking Ball Crane. Plan to modify it to fit in with my other cranes (also have 2 ea 7632 City Cranes, they have a LOT of Technic in them). Will sit next to my 8288 Crawler Crane. Getting back to it though, fuchsia is a cool color, always been a fan of purplish type colors. Remember the days of cars getting painted with iridescent paint that changed colors depending on the sunlight? At first you might think they were red, then they would pass you and looked purplish, then blue. That was kind of cool paint.

Interesting topic...I have but 1 figure, guess they just stopped making them, kind of a dumb move I thought, last set that I had 1 for was the 8248 Forklift...

Thanks DLuders, I'll check them out now, we had a major heatwave last few days with high humidities, not exactly the greatest painting weather, but its only in the 80's today with low humidity, so thought I might get on it tonight, supposed to be nearly no humidity and in the mid-60's, perfect painting weather in my garage...

Nice coloring on the tow truck, looks like the 8285, no? I never did buy the 8462 Pneumatic Tow Truck, was in the dark ages then, but it looked pretty futuristic anyway and the 8285 had a lot more features, luckily I was out of the dark ages by then and have a couple still sealed. Our largest towing service in the city and suburbs where I live has dark blue wreckers, flatbeds and low boy tractor-trailers for hauling broke down construction equipment, etc. However, all of the tow trucks, and really there are only 2, the 8285 and the most recent 9395, are black. Lots of red and gray for the underpinnings and chassis, especially on the 8285, but once its built you would hardly know most of it except for the outer fairings, panels and front end, since they are all black. Clever design. But I too would like to see more Technic offerings in the white, orange (would like to see an orange excavator, a lot of contractors have those around here)and of course may favorite among many others here, blue... Funny I never noticed that on the full bushes that they are almost always gray. The 8436 truck had a lot of black full bushes, and I can't really which set or season had a lot of red bushes, but for the most part they are all gray. Would be kind of nice to see some different color axles instead of the black and gray ones, the 8416 Forklift had a long white axle for raising/lowering the forks, that was an interesting find when I built that set many moons ago... That 8435 was the last set to really have that color palette, along with the small 8415 Dump Truck of the same general timeframe. Then it was red, yellow or black for the most part, with the 8288 Crane having mostly white. And on that note, why in the heck did a $49 MSRP set rise to astronomical levels. I bought one from Bricklink last fall for $400, and now on Amazon they are going for between $500-over 600 each. That has got to be the largest markup on a set in history. Even the 8421, 8285 and 8455 sets didn't rise that much in that short of time and they contain a lot more pieces and functions. Boggles my mind...kinda glad I kept one which is a bit faded (white pieces) from sunlight, gave the other one to a neighbor's kid (big mistake now that I know the value), and wanted another to make a tower crane so bit the bullet and forked over $400. Luckily the seller was in my city so no shipping involved, but man that set is just nuts in its rise in value.

I posted this topic some time ago, have wanted to paint some rims instead of sticking with the standard grays and sometimes yellows on most cars/construction Technic sets. Thing's have been crazy in my life and while I've had the plastic paint to do them for a long time, before I start I am wondering a couple of things. I am assuming for a better coverage I should paint the edge of the rims too, because some of the stock color might show? Main questions are should I prime them with a plastic primer as well? Also, after I put the color on, should I follow up with a coat of clearcoat, like used on cars and trucks nowadays. I saw that Krylon had a plastic clearcoat at the store where I bought the paint and primer. Any ideas or suggestions, please let me know...thanks

I feel the pain, I believe the last larger set in blue was the 8435 4WD back in 2004 or 2005. As far as kids go with the younger style themes a lot of sets have blue color pieces in them. Would be cool to see a larger PF backhoe/loader in blue, like the New Holland line that is somewhat common in Michigan.

I thought TLG were putting all instruction manuals/sticker sheets in wrap with a cardboard for this reason? All of mine as of summer of 2011 had them on cardboard backers...well the larger sets anyway and 8109 is a medium/large set. I recall 2 of my 8258's sticker sheets were ruined, a lot of stickers were stuck to the box itself or creased and the instruction manuals were creased and folded, but that was back in 2009 too...

Wasn't this topic on the forum a month or two ago, same issue, with the springs? I recall reading at as I bought a new, sealed 8466 recently.

Its kind of a toss-up. The main model is great looking, but look for mods for it, especially the one that utilizes the smaller shovel (from set 8294 or 8453), it looks better, the huge loader bucket that has been used forever is way too big for an excavator, and the one for stabilzing the undercarriage and back end, the butt sags from the weight of all PF components sitting in it. Also, it doesn't track as well as the b-model track loader, and the boom operation is rather wiggly, especially the last arm (w/ the bucket on it). I really like the b-model loader, it operates very smoothly, but uses far less parts than the excavator from what I can tell, and sometimes we buy sets just for b-models, but b-model isn't worth the $199 MSRP pricetag, unless you really want it. I have 4 copies on the set, 1 my fiancee's kids gave up on since its too complicated for them and it just sits and collects dust, batteries dead...but the 3 I do have here, 1 is the excavator with all the mods I could collect off this forum, still disillusioned by the subpar operation with the tracking and turning and wiggly last section of the boom, and that model sucks on the batteries, even rechargeables, but it looks great on my construction site, I also have the b-model built and it sits along with it. The 3rd one doesn't have its seal cracked yet, but I've got plans and the parts now for building a logging claw gripper for swinging out line cable to the riggers down the hill ( big Ax Men fan, separate topic I created, Logging Yarder, probably way down the list by now). All in all, I think its worth the money just for the main model even with its quirks, and for MOCing.

You could go with the 9397 Logging Truck as well, it is an excellent product and the b-model is equally as good, something you don't see much with b models, I agree that the 8043's b-model is a fun to play with, faster and more smooth than the main model, but the main model is a definitely worth every penny. The Unimog is a good item too, just not as versatile with no RC and is a tougher build than the previous models noted.

Thanks DLuders

Off-topic, but...planning on selling at least 2 8265's of these in the future, 1 I am going to build the b model from once I unearth it for my forestry operation, others I will list on Bricklink or I don't know if the rules allow here (to the moderators or others that have the capability to do so) and if they don't please just bump this message, PM me and I can sell to you direct, easier that way anyway...just a thought if you're interested down the road... Very nice Alasdair - lot of 'old-school' studded parts in it, does the 5th wheel detach completely to unload tractors and such? I did something similar with the deck of my b model 8285 Tow Truck model (the tractor/trailer). Took off the crane and added some of those large flat gray panels held in place underneath in the chassis, but its just not quite long enough to be a real low-boy and the wheels in back are too big to let a large bucket fit. I can fit the 8455 Backhoe on it with the bucket in between the wheels and the bucket faced front resting on the 5th wheel pneumatic set up, the Pneumatic Front End Loader fits perfectly on it as well as the 8294 Excavator too. Good job, please do post a pic when its finished... DLuders or others - rather curious, does the b model 8265's pinch claw at the end of the substructure actually reach ground level, and when I mean that, if placed on a table with the wheels all balanced on the table, does the claw touch the table. It seems like from the pic it doesn't go that low, but who am I to say, I seem to remember building it a while ago (like nearly 3 years ago), but don't recall about the claw's low point and high point. Doesn't look like it can be motorized, but I am rather sure somebody here has done it at some point...

The gooseneck trailer I am real interested in...that is one I have never been able to reproduce... DLuders - is the jpg (not the youtube vid) the b model of the 8265. I can't recall how it looks but I still have the instructions for the b, they are just buried right as are my 3 8265 sealed sets as I prepare for moving...that would make a good grappler of sorts...I did build the b model once but it was a long time ago and can't recall if it looked like that or not... Oops..guess I should have read your description at the top more accurately, it is the b model...

Got a real good idea if not the best looking for a feller buncher at least, the 'inspirational model' on the back of the 8275 Bulldozer's box, I know they usually use an Excavator with a claw grabber where the bucket would be, but I don't have an extra excavator, think the 8294 Excavator might be too small, but who knows might try, but I am going to try the b model of the 8275 first. Its mainly more like it says, inspirational, no cab or fairings or anything to make it look like anything more than RC grabber on tracks, but I think I can modify it with a cab and close it in so it looks like it can grab a tree with its claws and buck it off. As far as the yarder, I think I'm going to try a couple different options, either the 8288 Crane's base then add one boom section as the tower and I just bought a couple 30 foot sections of 1mm craft string from Amazon to use as guide lines at its base and also to run as skylines. Have to figure out a skycar setup yet, plan to use the small lt grey pulleys, just have to lay out a plan for how the skycar will look. As far as a Yoader, the alternative to the Yarder, I plan to try and modify one of my 8043 Excavators, take off the bucket and modify the front with a large spool with string with two or three 'chokers' tied to it like they used at Stump Branch logging the 1st season of Ax Men...

Kind of the thing I did with amassing spare parts, I did have the 8448 and 8464 which were a bit of a challenge for a newbie, but in early 2005 I just started with the smaller stuff first, lots of good sets 1H2005, and then worked my way up to the 8436 Truck, then the summer offerings, kind of deliberated on the 8421 Crane, but finally took the plunge, then I just buying sets when they went on sale at TRU or clearanced at S@H or Amazon and built by collection little by little, and if I got a sale set, I'd usually buy 2 or more, and always 1 for parts, now I've amassed a huge spare parts collection, so have only had to resort to Bricklink for some rarer parts on a couple of occasions, have been able to build pretty much anything I want to with the mods posted here and a few MOCs. Since joining BL in 2004 I have ordered rarely from BL except those couple of parts orders and a dozen or so sets that I really wanted and had missed from my dark ages. Still looking for the elusive 8446 Crane Truck, kind of a strange looking beast, but I like the color and it really intrigues me and is interesting, almost like a futuristic space vehicle, but only 1 BL'er has it up for sale in the USA and they list it as a less than perfect box, but won't accept a pre-sale inquiry, so no way I'm going to screw myself into a NPB status if the seller comes back with a response I don't want to hear, a gamble... Agreed there, LA's can't lift much weight with some configurarions but look more lifelike, pneumatics can lift a lot but there's that problem with having to hand-pump the air except on models or MOCs built with an air compressor built in or an airtank...

Based upon what I've seen of the 9398, I'd go with the 8110, its an awesome vehicle with lots of functions...

Bricklink can be a royal pain, I have had many good purchases, but all the hassle as you say makes it kind of not worth the trouble unless you REALLY want some specific parts, then try to find them from the same seller, otherwise at times you might wait a few days for an invoice, then you pay, wait more time for seller to actually ship, that is if they let you know, and since most use the postal service (at least in the US), they can be incredibly slow as far as transit times and a lot of times you just don't know what day they will arrive. Like I said though, I have had some very good experiences there, but there are some sellers who just do in addition to family/jobs/recreation, etc and that means long wait times between all the components of purchasing there. I once waited almost a week before a seller to even invoice me, after 2 e-mails to the seller that went unreplied to, then it was, well I have lots to do, so it might be 2-3 days to get it shipped, then I had paid for Priority Mail (2nd fastest shipping speed with USPS, if you want to call it fast), instead seller shipped it First Class. So, adding that all up, it ended up being 16 days between time of placing to order to receipt of it. Then there are some sellers, not many that I have noticed, that accept no pre-sale inquiries via e-mail, one noted too busy to answer e-mail, but it was a mid-90's model that seller quoted box was in rough shape, I wanted to know EXACTLY what seller meant, were seals open, box torn open somewhere? It was an expensive item and it seems quite a poor practice for a person to place an order, then risking NPB status if you decide, well set might be missing pieces, or not worth it once you finally found out the real condition of the set. Seems really a backwards way of selling. I'm not trying to trash BL, I've also had many excellent experiences buying there that went without a hitch, but if you are trying to build a model or MOC and require parts from many different sellers at once, that can be a pain I would imagine if you have a life and can't be on the PC all the time keeping on top of all the invoicing/paying, etc... 8455 is probably, IMO, the best set Lego ever produced, it uses pneumatics to the hilt, but the only downfall is no airtank, heck that model could have used 2 airtanks, but no room, and that would detract from the aesthetics of that awe-inspiring realistic backhoe. Look out for the prices now, they are incredibly high. Heck when I bought my 3 back in 2005, they were $99 each, got the 8448 I have to a buddy in 2000 for $119, look at the asking price now. Amazes me how much some of these retired models rise exponentially in price, but have to say I have given in a couple times and paid way too much for an older model, 1 was the 8466 Off-Roader, other was an 8459 Pneumatic Loader, and thirdly a 8460 Crane Truck. But, I had missed all of those in their time since I was in the dark ages at the time. I did buy an 8464 re-release of the 8459 in 2001, but unfortunately after I bought it I went back into a dark age again and it sat in the intense morning eastern sun and a lot of the bushings cracked, the yellow faded to almost a chalky white and the air hoses became brittle, but luckily I only paid $69 for it when I bought it too...now I do see it all as investment and take care of mine well. I usually hose down the dust from my Lego, but now that most have PF elements that are in most cases way down into the model itself and would require major disassembly, you can't just spray them to clean, the electronics would go 'poof', so I just use canned air...the compressed air is expensive, but a small price to pay...

Curious and correct me if I'm wrong, didn't the yellow crane arm come in the 8270 Rough Terrain Crane from 1H2007 also? I don't have that one built right now, maybe this one is shorter than that arm was...

Now that's a cool idea for such a compact crane...amazing what you can do with such a small area to work from and I like the boom height raise, its much better than the original model's is...I for one would like instructions whenever it gets a high enough feedback, but it seems the posts on this thread were going well into 3 or 4 replies, than it kind of crashed because somebody made a criticism to it and it went back and forth after it with a moderator and that person, too bad, its a great build in my estimation...like the moderator said if you've got nothing nice to say, don't post a reply...I say it's pretty amazing what you can do with a small model...

Welcome to the forum Pedro - yeah that's a nice machine too, saw it being used in a few episodes as a feller buncher. I think we all have some ideas for different logging/forestry machines. I was thinking about the b model of the 8416 Forklift from 2005, it was a wheeled forestry machine with a raised grappler on back IIRC, can't recall the lift height, know it was lower than the the Unimog or the Logging Truck, but I have about 5 copies of that set, might have to crack one and build that model and see if its high enough to load logs, since its wheels are bigger, would be an off-road logger, and could drop logs at the landing to be loaded onto the 9397 Logging Truck, all of a sudden have lots of ideas for logging/forestry equipment and a new diorama. One thing I always wondered, what was the raiseable dark gray mechanism in front of that b model used for? A plow when it was raised, or was it something to crush down debris in its path in the downright position? Never was quite sure what its use was...

Like many of said, the 8069 Backhoe is about the most fun you can get out of the most recent Technic sets at about $60 USD. I believe Toys R Us and Lego S@H still both have them in stock, at least online, haven't seen them in TRU stores in a long time in my area. Best bet would be S@H as their shipping seems to be lowest, that's a good one to get your feet wet. More of a challenge and just meeting the $199 mark without going over (besides shipping) would be the 8043 Excavator or the 8110 Unimog. I actually spied a few 8043's (which came out summer 2010) in a TRU store recently at $199, actually MSRP for once, TRU notoriously marks Technic up, but after a while, they seem to gain level ground price-wise with S@H. Don't know how large an area you live in, but I'd at least visit a TRU to see what there pickings are, seems they vary widely from store to store after a model's initial release date. The 8043 is a great set and lots of mods have been done and posted here that make it better, but in all reality IMO the 8110 is superior, both are a challenge, but a blast to build seeing how everything goes together section by section after just being a System guy. If the 8455 Pneumatic Backhoe Loader, 8285 Tow Truck or the 8421 Mobile Crane were still in production, I'd say go with one of those, but they have all been retired for a long time and therefore wherever you might like, unless you are real lucky, they will all be far above your $200 mark. Oh one forgotten one I just thought of, the 9397 Logging Truck is excellent also, around $149 if you get it from S@H, and the b-model is equally as good as the logging truck itself. Could use more than one log, but alas it comes with just the one 1.

Tried to edit my last post but for some reason it wouldn't let me. I have to give credit where it is deserved, I was wrong, Alasdair was working on the harvester, but timr was actually working on the feller buncher. My main thing is I REALLY want to create an MOC instead of taking others ideas, and while they have improved my already built out of the box models, I want to create the yarder myself. I think I will still use the underpinnings of the 8288 and add one of the booms straight up, then build the cab and figure out the stringing and skycar myself. Instead of commenting, I'd actually like to add something of my own creation to the group...thanks for the interest all you have had thus far, it gives me a sense of purpose to really do this, might take a while, but now I have the incentive...thanks

These are the pics I couldn't find or copy and paste, the feller buncher basically picks up logs from the landing or it can used as I saw in the series in a pinch without an actual yarder, which has a straight up boom with many guide lines anchored around the yarder, then they run a skyline down (or up the mountain in some cases) and secure to a stump or to the near top of a large steady tree that has the top bucked off, this runs the skycar which is basically the motorized mechanism that runs the chokers (to secure the logs aways from the yarder or feller buncher) down to the choking crew at the bottom or up to the top of a clearing job. Take a look at DLuders post right before mine for pics of feller bunchers. Geez I actually came up with a topic that was hooked onto right away, that's nice to see.

I am a huge fan of the Ax Men tv series on the History Channel, and I am wondering if anybody has ever done an MOC of a tracked yarder used with skylines and winches to bring trees and logs up to the landing where they are picked up by an excavator type machine with a grappling hook to stack or load on to logging trucks. Just curious...I would attach a pic of one but I can't seem to copy and paste one here, must be the images I searched out are protected possibly...

Actually that's an excellent idea, since string is only used in the support lines, with the thicker more rope-like string with the 1 stud one the end used for other features on the crane, but if I recall (I don't have one of my 8288's sitting inside) they only used the thick stuff on the odd-looking assembly that came with the crane, I modded mine (if you want to call it modding) with a black metal hook and 6-holed pulley (similar to the 8421 Mobile Crane) on one of my 8288's. I know they also use the same thick studded string lengths on the 8416 Forklift. Wouldn't mind seeing a grade of string in-between for cranes and winches...might have to go to a craft or hobby store around to check for a bit thicker string, though I am wondering if it will all fit on winch/crane spools without coming out of the sides of the spools for various models.