DarkShadow73

I agree, don't need the new LA's for the 'b' model and it is a first to have a tracked loader. For $199 USD it is nice to have both the main and the alternate models look and function well, except for the problem with the boom raising LA's in the excavator, but luckily Lego solved that one quickly.

Very nice model for the price though considering it has PF included, kind of along the same price point as the 8264 Dumper, though I would have liked to have seen a closed end on the dumper instead of it being open...suppose it would be easy enough to modify though...I can't say I'm crazy about the 'b' model of the 8052 though, it is rather strange looking. Got in on a buy 1/get 1 50% off offer at TRU so bought 2 8052's, so might try to build it anyway just for the heck of it.

In my experience BL seems to get the parts lists a lot quicker than Peeron, maybe because Peeron admin takes time to approve and post on the site?

I came across some pre-release pics somewhere of the backhoe and it looks to be a smaller, much less functional version of the 8455, no pneumatics that I could see, only LA's, and I wonder about those smaller ones if they are really functional or just for show? Definitely will buy it though either way. It will fit in nicely in scale with the 8292, 8052, and the 8264 among other smaller scale Technic models. Surprisingly I was very pleased with the functionality of the 8047, I usually only buy the large Technic sets, but that one looked decent for the price, but the 'b' model was crap IMO though...

Unlike a lot of sets, both the tow truck and the 'b' model tractor/trailer w/ crane are equally as good, I managed to get both on a buy 1 get 1 50% off event at TRU back in 2006. Only bad part about the 'b' model is when motorizing it w/ the 8287 Motor Kit, it doesn't have an attachment point for the battery box, but I modified my trailer so the battery box fits just under the crane raising arm. It just barely touches the crane arm on full lowering of the arm, but doesn't affect the playability one bit. edit: no need to quote the entire review, that's actually a little annoying to the rest of us

@Jurgen - Just a statement, but love the look of the pneumatic excavator you created. I have always been a huge fan of pneumatics vs LA's, they look a lot more life-like. My love for them came after I built my 8455 Backhoe Loader, that is an incredible model. Only drawback is no airtank, or room to install one, but doesn't detract too much, even as a shelf model the 8455 is stellar, but that excavator you designed looks really good.

@DLuders - no worries...

Totally agree on that review, finally completed mine last week and it is quite possibly the most fun I have ever had with a Lego Technic model as a 37 year old AFOL, it is amazing to play with and even does look great on the shelf for display, though it just doesn't remain there long, I just gotta play with it... Very, very careful and slow assembly is the key...it took me a week in spurts to build it, but everything moves well and the clutches operate flawlessly, the ONLY complaint I might have with it is the long axle/u-joint assemblies for the bucket and extend/retract arm. They are a bit jerky when operating, I tried changing the axles thinking it was just a slightly out of round axle, but it didn't change the problem. Not sure what it is, maybe the fact that the axles pass through so many points and junctions to reach those 2 functions. I can see a slightly visible wobble in both functions as I use them. But, really doesn't detract too much from the overall fun of playing with it...

I thought it was odd too, I didn't change the subject heading...

I installed Jurgen's bucket MOD for the 8043 Excavator last night and I have to say it is completely awesome and makes the bucket tilting much more realistic. Thanks Jurgen - excellent job in designing this MOD. Eric

Makes sense, maybe if it had a larger frame like the 8421 there would be room for an engine block, but I still really enjoy the crane, engine or not...

One thing that is missing on the 8053 is a lack of an engine, surprising considering the cost. Heck, even at $79.99 USD the 8265 Front Loader had an engine. Not really a complaint, its a great crane and loaded with gears and such, just thought I'd throw it out there...

Guess I shouldn't have complained about the 2+ week delay to get mine in the USA...wow that's bad, I don't know if these types of packages have to clear customs in any given country they are shipped to?

@Jurgen: Yes, this helps, it looks like the same exact pinnings to the arm retraction/extension assembly, that clears it up for me. I noted you used a few different parts at the top of the assembly so wanted to make sure I had all I needed to assemble as I was able to locate all the parts, albeit in different colors in some of them. Thanks.

Do you possibly have instructions for this crane, I really like it...

How can you distinguish between the old LA's and the new ones on Bricklink? I checked myself and all seem to have the same part no or maybe I'm reading it wrong? I did see an explosion of LA end caps as well, but those didn't come from the SP's for the 8043 as only the newly designed LA's were in those packs.

The 8258 Crane Truck was HORRIBLE with inserting long pins through the beams, at least the one I built. I realize this makes for a tighter fit, but some of them were a real pain to get through and also I am kind of a details guy and like all the slots to run the same direction and trying to turn the pins in the beams was a real strain on the 'ol fingers. I noticed this to an extent on the 8265 Front Loader also, but not as bad as the 8258, maybe last year's production line was a bit off in the molds of the beams and such or made the pins, especially the long pins too wide. I had a far easier time with this summer's 8043 Excavator, the mobile crane you are referring to and also the 8052 Container Truck. Tight enough to hold everything but not overly so that you felt like you literally needed to force them in.

I did the soaking in olive oil trick with the old LA as I mentioned above and I just got my 8043 completed and it works flawlessly, except for a slight wiggle in the bucket tilt function, but I have isolated that not to the LA, but it I can visibly see that one of the axles is jerking a bit as it spins, not sure which one, but I am thinking one of the longer axles might have a slight deformity in it, I had this problem in my 8294 when I got it assembled and motorized it. I fixed it by one by one replacing the axles till I found the one that was causing the jerkiness. However, that aside the boom raises flawlessly, just a very slight motor strain, no more so than the function that moves the excavator forwards and backwards, the motor that drives that feature strains that particular motor a lot more than the boom raising motor. I didn't experience problems like what was described in many of the assembled non-greased LA's and the major problems even raising the boom or having to 'help' it by hand, so I do think the friction was greatly reduced by soaking the old LA's in the olive oil and thanks for the tip. It remains to be seen if the boom raise eventually slows down, but I am going to raise and lower it a lot over the next few days just to see if it continues to work well, it really does raise quite quickly.

That was my thought too, the standard large bucket is really quite light, but even with the new LA's installed it still struggles to lift the boom, albeit less than the original ones and hopefully they don't stress the motors too much as the original LA's did. Had another question too as far as the instructions Jurgen posted on retrofitting the 8294 bucket. It is a bit vague on how it attaches to the swinging arm portion of the boom assembly. Step 16 is a bit unclear on attachment to the rest of it, does the axle leading through the secondary arm still go through the lt gray 3L part with the hole in the middle and axles holes on either end then attach directly onto the U-joint in the bucket tilt assembly? I guess that's where I am a bit confused. I can see it still attaches mechanically speaking with the 6x4 yellow liftarms and 5L yellow beams to the swinging arm assembly, but just want to make sure I'm doing it right, I did find some thin 5L black beams to sub the 5L thin yellow ones Jurgen had noted for the attachment of the bucket itself so got all the pieces I need to assemble it. If somebody or Jurgen could clear that up I would appreciate it. Thanks.

I know a lot of you are fans of the old brick style Technic models, but I personally do like the studless beams as far as visible parts and I sort of think a brick built bucket might detract from the fluid lines and curves of the 8043, just my opinion as you asked... Shoot - I don't have all the parts needed to make this MOD, or at least the right colors, I hadn't figured they wouldn't be part of the 8043's inventory. I have plenty of pins, axles, the of course you use the same fairings that are on the bucket attachment, but I don't have a couple of parts needed to complete the MOD in the yellow color, thought of subbing black but I don't have those either, all I have is mostly red or lt gray, and red would look pretty dumpy when it is mostly a yellow and black model. Might have to order from a parts seller on Bricklink, but at least I have the instructions to do the MOD. To a person who kind of stinks at doing MOC's and MOD's it is good to new there are many out there who have the expertise and creativity to do these MOD's. Thanks again Jurgen.

They finally arrived today, gonna see if my Bricklink customers are still interested or I'll relist on my BL store with the new SP's included for free.

Thanks a lot Jurgen, I really appreciate the instructions. Eric

Finally got my SP's today...stands to reason whether those little extra pieces do any good, can't really see how, just a couple of friction pegs w/ axle ends and a crossblock with axleholes and a 3L axle w/ end stop is supposed to help the rotating of the superstructure? Seems like just a couple pieces wouldn't fix the whole issue, almost seems like they should have modified with an XL-motor for the boom raise, but that would have drastically altered the design and would have been very expensive.

Ah, I kind of gave up waiting for them and the 2 Bricklinkers that I had been saving the sets for decided just to wait until the re-release of the 8043 which I understand should be soon, can't blame them really, I have no real idea of when or if I'll get the SP's, called them again today as they instructed me to and I was told by a 3rd person that I really should have had them by now and there must have been a shipping messup and they offered to re-order them, I said nah, I'll just soak the original LA's in olive oil to reduce friction that I found in another part of this site, which I understood to be the problem anyway. Heck, the re-releases will probably be out before I get my 3 additional SP's. Still haven't gotten them and I notified them of their error 2 full weeks ago.

Any special instructions for attaching the 8294's bucket to it? I suppose I could fuss around with it, but I know sometimes people do up simple instructions for retro-fitting a model with different attachments...thanks