DarkShadow73

August 5

Generally Canada and the US release dates are the exact same.

I also thirdly am wondering the same thing, nerdsforprez..Kman860 is right there, all of a sudden S@H had them up a few days before release..what I don't get, unlike other websites, is why you can't place a pre-order with Lego, so you are guaranteed the sets on release day, Amazon.com lets you pre-order...and it seems like the UK S@H and Amazon.co.uk seems to list release dates long before the same US based S@H and Amazon ever show them...I realize they are produced mostly in Denmark, so it would only make sense that in Europe you would get them first, whereas the US is overseas and long ways for Lego sets to travel. I know with the 42056 the Coming Soon was put up 3 weeks or so before they released the Porsche online only, except why did Lego stores in Germany have it available? That was really odd. I missed the boat, I believe they sold out on June 1, I can recall checking on the 2nd I think...of course now they are fixing the box issues. But, I digress, I really want the 42053, 42054 and 42055, the Porsche is a bit high IMO. I know I'll end up getting it eventually as I collect nearly every Technic set released, but right now my money's going for the summer releases. It seems prior to 2014 the summer release was around July 1. So, being a bit nitpicky and waiting without patience, Lego ought to make it real even, 6 months between 1H and 2H releases. With all the members that are interested and post the pinned topic right after the last batch of Technic releases, so many people know, or are able to gather the images for the next batch release, so why not release dates. I did call Lego Cust Service yesterday and as usual, they are so secretive about release date of new sets coming up, in fact the woman I talked to said she didn't even know anything about the set#'s I gave her, and you know darn well all agents know about hot items coming up. As far as the Lego stores having stock vs S@H, I've often wondered that too. Do the stores put the sets on their shelves at same time S@H has them available? I've never been to a Lego store, but this year I could justify a day trip of about 340 miles round trip to the nearest Lego store, but will they sell all their available stock before I can get there? I wonder if they will hold items. Myself, I want 2 42053's, 2 42054's and a 42055 (can't justify getting another copy of that set cause of the high price). I like the B-models of all the sets this year, just like last year's 42042 and 42043. Toys R Us in the area I live in didn't ever stock the 42043, and only 2 had the 42042 and not until springtime, so like 7 months after release last summer. I live in a metro area with a population of 1.3 million people, so I can't understand why the 4 Toys R Us stores, farthest being about 30 minutes from where I live, don't carry the big summer sets. They might carry the 42053 I'm thinking, but maybe the other themes are a lot more popular, so they don't want to waste 'real estate' space with the monster 42043, and this year the 42055. The 42054 is a big question mark, but considering they are still stocking some 2014 and all of 2015 sets less the 42043, they probably don't have the space for the 42054, definitely not the 42055. And 2 stores are huge. Whereas the Toys R Us stores nearby the Lego store on the other side of the state seem to always carry the sets, probably a competition thing, but its a long drive on busy freeways, and naturally the nice construction season where I got majorly jammed up last summer when I traveled about 280 miles round trip to a TRU to attain the 42042 and 42043. Simply put, I really hope its not September 1, or even August 15. I am assuming August 1, and hope it is, that's only 3 wks away. Once I saw these sets in mid-May I've been waiting and saving...

Ok, since it is 1/3 thru July, and I haven't even seen the sets show up on the S@H site with the 'Coming Soon on (insert date) like when they listed the Porsche and Coming Soon on 1 June 2016, does anybody the date for the US release of these sets? I have Googled it, and get so many varied opinions, July 15, August 1(which seems to be the standard the last few years), and also saw September 1. Concerning the Porsche, I think it was listed a full 3 weeks or more before the 1 June release. I'd like to buy it, I know it is on manufacturer backorder until the box issues are resolved. Anybody know? I'm like the non-patient type. I have saved for these 3 sets and I'm itchin' to get them. Thanks much for any info on release date.

Claas box is same size as the sets you listed? Those sets all had between 1050 and 1400 pcs, and has been used extensively since 2008 or 9, whereas the Claas (esp the huge new tractor tires, FINALLY!) is coming in at 1977 pcs IIRC, seems like it would use a size larger, not as large as 42043 or 42030, but something in between. 42053 actually looks kinda small, but 42000 size box makes sense Bet the BWE has a LOT of pins of various types, and looks to have maybe 200 or more track pieces. Though I hate snapping track pcs together (chaps your fingers bad, esp w/ the amount on the BWE's base and on the conveyors itself), I can't wait for this set to be released. Its a set so unusual and fresh for Technic unlike all the wheeled vehicles (not criticizing at all, I love Technic) and the rash of tracked excavators in the past several years, almost like a mobile gravel pit. Back in the day when 8053 Mobile Crane came out and I built the harbour crane version, I modified the 4 'bases' and made the unit static instead of moveable. So, really the first the 'land-based' Technic model I had. I really like that version of the 8053 with my small modification, and it may fit in well with 42055. I wish the US would just go to the metric system like the rest of the world. Its tough to calculate centimeters into inches in your head. I know 2.54cm=1 inch, but still that's some heavy math to calculate. At least we have calculators and unit converters on cell phones nowadays.

Well, it did sell out first day, who knows maybe earlier this morning. I live in the US, and it says out of stock, expected 30 days. Figured that would happen, never had a chance with working hours. I'm sure it will be available again at some point, but somewhere I read the set is limited to 10,000 production units... Typically, the US and Canada get stock at the same time and I believe it is all controlled from Enfield, Connecticut.

I believe I asked this, but when are the 42053, 42054 and 42055 being released? I know usually its around first of August, but some years it has been much earlier, like end of June. Anybody know? I know the Porsche is slated for June 1, not interested in that, way too expensive and no PF elements. The other 3 I'm interested in immensely, especially like most, the BWE. I found out it is around $280 USD. Seems like since 2013 with the 42009, Lego has tried to keep making models larger and larger as far as piece count, 3900+ is almost obscene, but I'd love to have it. Seems like in a lot of cases in the past 4 summers, only the 'wealthiest' can afford to buy the large Technic sets. I imagined to get an Arocs and also the Crawler Crane last year. Those, in itself, and I had to drive 300 miles round trip to acquire them, broke the bank. Even the B-models which many times aren't that interesting, we're good on those 2 sets. Only issue I have since Lego stopped printing B-model instructions in late 2007, is that the printable instructions (no room to build by the PC) take a ton of ink and most times only include 1 step with 1 or 2 pieces on each page, but once a model is pretty big, just those 2 pcs or so waste ink cause of having to print the entire model on the same page, while the main models instructions generally have more than 1 step and more pieces per step in the in-box instruction manuals.

Yes, the Arocs truck, sorry about that.

That is one thing I've never liked about S@H is no pre-order option like other sites such as Amazon, TRU. If this is the case, it would be real nice to be in line instead of trying to get a hold of Cust Svc that morning it releases. I wonder but doubt it will be sold in TRU stores, thereby avoiding shipping. Yeah, I realize at that price, normally it wouldn't be a sellout, but I am thinking, at least in the US and Canada, we won't have as many here as in Europe where the product is produced, and from looking at quite a few websites, that is the 1 set every Technic car enthusiast wants. $300 is pretty steep, but considering it has nearly as many parts as last year's Unimog is astounding. On a side note, the bucket conveyor system is immense as well, 3900+ pcs. I can't even imagine the price tag on that one.

Are these 3 2H models available in the USA about same time (Aug 1)? I know usually they are, but thought I'd ask anyway as most have been about July-Aug timeframe each summer here. I'm drooling over this year's offerings, probably the best ever. Can't even imagine what the cost of the Bucket Wheel Conveyor system will be... It shows Jun 1 on the USA S@H site. Bet it sells out in the first day, and it will be a challenge for the factories to keep up with demand. Beautiful car. Love the orange color, too many red supercars, kinda sick of all red.

@Paul B: Excellent review of the Race Truck. I, too, think it's a great model with a few tweaks, one of which I don't know how to resolve. The space between the spoiler and the back of the cabin seems rather empty. I do realize the spoiler is there for a reason, but its kind of a large assembly that needs something in front of it to cover or fill the void on the chassis. I usually angle it where it's sitting on display, and that solves the problem. The front is real mean looking, and the build was a lot of fun. It's sort of on par with the 8041/42041 Race Truck, but that model lacked a spoiler. Funny thing, the 'b' model of the 8041 was a race car, sort of in reverse to this set, albeit quite a bit smaller and about 400 less pieces. I was mainly looking for a review of it, since you don't always find reviews on 'b' models.

I need to wash a few models w/ linear actuators(full size) integrated into them. I generally just use the sink sprayer then wipe off what I can and let the rest air dry. But, I am wondering if this is bad for LA's, or for pneumatic cylinders on older models? I know the full size LA's have a metal ram and a screw inside them and of course the pneum cylinders have a metal ram. I have always extended the rams on both and wiped them down. I am not sure of the internal mechanics of mini LA's, they seem to be all plastic w/ a plastic ram. Of course, with motorized models and LA's, unless the motors are easily taken out, I have had to disassemble the model entirely, 2 come to mind that are not easily to get the motors out are the 8052 Container Truck and 8264 Hauler. I'd like to just know. Legos are horrible to keep dusted, even other themes besides Technic. Thanks.

Yeah, when I originally started this topic in 2011, I did see the reply about changing the gear ratio, and honestly Jurgen's Ultimate 8043 did this, but I didn't have enough parts to create the whole in depth modding he had done with the model. I honestly don't see a difference in old light gray pins and the newer tan pins either, they seem to operate the same way, frictionless. I did change the bucket boom and created the complicated remote control setup, but parts shortage left me unable to build his entire modification. I'm still in the dark, even with your saying it applies to just one M-motor? In my post today a couple above this one, I mentioned a couple of pages for that assembly and thought I would change just the 2 blue pins with the gray ones(I have tons of tan as well). I just don't know if you change both pins and it solves the problem, or just one or the other. I could build the model up to that point, I mainly just took it apart as it was superdirty and I hadn't played with in years, and I washed and dried all the major parts and scrubbed the PF elements and LA's. But, I remembered how much trouble I had with the clutch switching, it would go to the neutral position, then I had to hit the lever again for it to engage into the opposite clutch gears. I may have put the gears on too tight when I originally built it, I tend to leave more play with models since then. I also thought it might the 2 yellow knob wheels on the other side of the model that have to turn to switch back and forth betw functions. Still confused...

Hi guys- I'm going to rebuild my 8043 and burned out the NiMH batteries long ago from extensive use and repeated charging. I'm going to try and change what many have, replacing the blue axle/pin with the old light gray version. Problem is I'm not sure where in the instructions changing this part is located. Upon looking at book 1 and finding where the clutch changing assembly is there are actually 2 blue axle/pins on both page 78, step 34, and page 79, step 35. Do I replace both the blue pins? I don't want to build it all up only to find I'm wrong, then have to disassemble to get to these parts. I realize this is a topic from early 2011, but if anybody recalls and can help I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks

I know that many have added a boom section to the brilliant 42042 Crane. I am wondering is there enough parts left over, what I mean is the blue assembly that the claws are holding, to construct another piece to add to the boom to make even longer, and higher? Thanks, Eric

I have built a lot of Tomas's models and designing them just with the parts of a particular set he builds some amazing models. I particularly like the 8052 Forklift and the 8294 Snow Cat. Those two models you have to add a small amount of extra parts outside of the set they we're designed from. A half metre of string for the 8052 and some motors and IR receivers and a remote, and most serious Technic fans would have these in his or her spare parts collection. However, 99% of Tomas's designs use just the parts from the set that inspired him. I go back a lot just to see what's new and read his blog. I've offered up a couple of things I'm sure he could design. And yes, like another member said his instructions are among the best, easy to print and easy to clearly define each step. Thanks so much for your great works, my friend. Oh, forgot the 42006 Bulldozer, that's another favorite in my collection. Eric

Here's one from way back...in 2007. I never bought this set, but I found an elusive one for sale. Didn't get the greatest review here, Brickset was a bit better, but still think I might round out an abnormally high amount of yellow and red construction equipment and cars/trucks. Had the 8284 lime-clad tractor but sold it a long time ago, wish I hadn't now, only have the nearly identical red/black color 8063 Tractor. Guess that freaky looking green trailer might come in useful now though for the harvested grain...

So I guess I'm not the only one, the outriggers are jittery for sure and I made sure I put everything together correctly, checking each step double where gears, or an entire gearbox was involved. I will check out the ultimate 42009, I have plenty of PF parts, so that might be a good idea. Especially since I bought 3 of them, 1 to build main model, 1 for alternate model, and 1 to keep for later resale. Thanks for the idea. I should have worded the topic name differently, 42009 vs 8421. I definitely liked the 8421 better, but with all things Lego, it is hard to make a criticism or praise without actually building it. Yeah, between the black friction pins and the blue 3L friction pins, there are without checking nearly 800 pins, and yes they are definitely needed on not only the boom, but on the superstructure as well. Who knows, I loved the 8258 Crane Truck, but the crane was subpar at best, and no motorized winch and such, but the overall looks and the build we're incredible. The gearbox alone was genius. One little criticism about today's cranes. What happened to the standard black metal hook? The jibs are fine, but as is with most wheeled and tracked cranes, there is almost always a hook. I believe the last time the black metal hook was used was in the 8285 Tow Truck from 2006.

Is it just me or is the 42009 MkII Crane not all that great? Yes, I've just built it even though its been out for 2 years, more a time thing and I got into a lot of MOCs and MODs. I didn't find the build real interesting or the finished product. Yeah, I have 2 8421's from 2005, and I believe that model was far superior (even with the chunky battery box and odd 8287 motor, best in my opinion though, just a bit noisy, and about 700 less pieces(cripes there we're so many pins out of those 2606 pcs)) to the 42009 in terms of the build and playability. And yes, the pneumatic boom of the 8421 was troublesome, you almost couldn't feather the valve to let it down without it coming down fast, and it didn't stay up overnight, even with a completely closed pneumatic system. I found a way to keep it up, as well as the heavy backhoe part of the 8455 Backhoe Loader. Its not that I don't like the 42009, its a pretty shelf model, 8421 is as well, but I guess I was awestruck when I was building and finished the 8421, not so much with the 42009. I'm just wondering if any others share my opinion, especially if you may own both sets.

Thanks for the replies. I rather think Allanp's makes a lot of sense since I do modeling late evening. I think the T-pieces are the hardest to fit the tubing onto, they are small and not attached anything...brings to mind the 8455 build many moons ago, that was a lot of T's and a lot of tight fits onto valve nipples. I also built an MOC of a telescoping man lift, similar to a Genie Boom lift we see extensively here in the US and the whole thing was pneumatic, I'm not as great with the LA's, plus I wanted a look of tubing and valves, cylinders, etc. The lubricating oil sounds interesting, but in the long run would it damage the plastic or tubing? The hot water softening bit sounds good too. I had considered dipping the ends of the tubing in plain water from a dixie cup, then putting them on, thinking the water would be a decent short-term lubricant to get them fitted, then when done attaching the system to a hand pump or an electric pneumatic system, the force of the air would dry up any moisture. Just wanted to get opinions first.

This may have been a topic posted in the past, but thought I would ask anyway. Is there an easier way to fit the tight pneumatic tubes on the valves and especially the small t-pieces? Its enough to bend back the flesh under your thumbnails, and that hurts. Mainly large pneumatic heavy models, one example being the 8455 Backhoe Loader. I'm not sure what to use to make easier to get them on instead of using brute thumb force, which at least for me results in the painful thumb as listed above. Just thought I'd throw it out there to see what others use, especially the MOCer's who make giant models using a lot of pneumatics. Thanks in advance.

I bought 2 of these 42042's last week, one for main model, one for alternate. My issue is I want to build the tower crane version, and followed the link on the back of the box like always I find no b-model instructions, yet I've seen them, along with the main model ones posted on Lego's website before official release dates, and really its like 4 days before release and so many places already have this item in stock. I also went to the technic.lego.com site, and not only is it confusing now, haven't been there in a long time, but all I can find is digital app instructions for tablets. I just want the standard old pdf files you have always been able to download. Are these a thing of the past now? I hope not, main reason I picked this one up was for the tower crane, but the crawler crane is great as well. If anybody has a link for me to follow for instructions, if available, I'd really appreciate it. I know this was an issue for one other set if I recall correct, the 9397 Logging Truck's b-model plow from 2012, but I believe a member here really prodded Lego into allowing those instructions to be posted. IMO, I think this crane and its tower crane version have been a long time coming as a competitor the long coveted 8288, and have in many ways surpassed the 8288. Thanks in advance. I'm on business so this is the first real computer I've been able to do recreational browsing on. Hopefully when I return in a week or so, maybe I'll find an answer. In the meantime I'm going to copy down the exact topic name so I can look again. Sometimes cellphones just aren't the greatest thing for fast, easy browsing, at least mine isn't.

Probably a dumb question, but I know in the past 2H Technic was released either around end of June/start of July or first of August. I skimmed a lot of the posts on this thread but didn't really come up with anything. Seems USA and Canada seem to get a lot of items delayed when they have been released 1H overseas. Examples, 42039 Lemans Car, 42036 Motorcycle. 2014 was unbelievable and I know I'm not alone here, I can name about a half dozen sets that we're available in January overseas that we didn't see over here until last summer 2H release, which meant stores like TRU we're jammed with still some of the 2013 stock, plus all the sets we didn't get over here. All that said, I am looking forward to Crawler Crane immensely, and just wondering if anyone knows when the release date might be? End of July we got a ton of the 2H items here, but after Christmas it was kind of a bust. TRU's stopped carrying the 42009 and 42030 which had just been released a few months earlier. Just thought I'd ask...

Yeah, guess there isn't much I can do. I know all the tubing is very tight on all T's, valves and cylinders. Display was my intent. I guess I could see if there is a way to add some long liftarms to keep the boom upright, maybe 13 or 15L ones, this would probably work fine with the 8421 which is studless construction, but not sure how I can accomplish this on the 8460 since it is mostly studded. Even though I prefer the studless construction because it is more sleek and realistic, I really took quite a liking to the 8460 once it was done. I have an 8448 Supercar and 8462 Tow Truck to build, both we're produced at a time where studless construction was just being added in small amounts. I also have an 8446 Crane Truck and even though it is an odd looking beast, something kind of perked my interest. I also have an 8428 Concept Car, 8443 Log Loader, 8853 Front Loader (really like this one as well). I have an 8837(think that's the right set#) wheeled Excavator. That one I don't really like too well. I got from an adult collector and all pieces we're in fine shape, but the finished product looks rather dorky, but at least I only paid $50 for it on Bricklink a couple years ago. Actually the set was brand new and mint. Tubes are thus brand new and in excellent condition, its only been together for a little over a week. On the note of excess wear on tubing, I bought a used pneumatic 8455 Backhoe Loader that was 'well used' (ended up returning it to the seller as it was in much rougher shape than she described), and I had plenty of isses with split tubing. Glad you told me that. Problem with Lego models is they gather dust that almost always needs a wash in soapy water unless it has PF elements which most do nowadays. I didn't know about the cylinders rusting, I'll definitely not wash them, thanks for the tip. I have an 8464 Pneumatic Front Loader bought in 2001 and after a while the cylinder rams have developed some corrosion and pitting and it was never washed. I lightly wet sanded the cylinders with 1500 grit paper, but now the cylinders don't work well at all, even though I was extremely careful and made sure none of the dust from the sanding didn't enter the cylinder itself. Now I'm thinking I should have gone with 2000 grit or steel wool.

Yeah I realize that, that prompted me to ask, but am wondering about a fix if possible. I've had a couple of 8421's for years, and the main model crane does the same thing. Even on the 8455 Backhoe Loader the same thing happens, the main boom's cylinder also does the same thing, it seems too heavy to hold it upright for more than a day or two at most on the model, but where are the air leaks coming from? I guess that's the biggest question. If all the tubing is tight and I've tried on all 3 models to keep the valve at the neutral position or having the switch on the valve body in the raising position.