Meisseli

I began to wonder what's wrong with the picture... and yes, it seems you have made an error when placing the counterweight. Can you spot the difference when compared to this: http://www.brickfact...00/8868/034.jpg ? (these details I seem to remember very well, when really important stuff in life I keep forgetting... sigh)

I think it's little bit misleading to say that Pneumatic cylinder made it's first appearance in this set (or year). Although the cylinders in earlier sets originally had yellow top (whereas this has a black top), they were otherwise identical to this. And at least one of those earlier sets (8862 Backhoe) got these newer cylinders at some point, because when I got mine back in early '90s, it had these new cylinders in it. But still, this is a great set and one of my all time favorites, and you made a great review which it certainly deserves. Thank you.

If I understand right, 8421 had pneumatics and they were unable to hold the boom in upright position? Controlled lowering of boom was also very difficult? And now you want them to make same mistake AGAIN? I like pneumatics, but they just don't work everywhere. Of course IF they made bigger and stronger pneumatics...

Well, what's better than getting a flagship for xmas? Getting TWO flagships of course! My girlfriend got me 8110 and 9398, and my sister gave me Sariel's book. Best xmas ever! Seriously, I haven't got any flagships as present after my dark ages. I have bought some myself, but last time I got to unwrap one for xmas was in 1994 (the 8880!). I can confirm that it still feels as good as it did back in the days.

Nope, I remember having instructions for one set combining three other sets. Although I can't remember where the instructions came from, were they included in one of sets or did I get them somewhere else...

Just got my 8448 and... WOW! This really seems like something unique, all those little boxes and instruction books thick as... well, something very thick. Can't wait to get building. Yes, I live at south coast, in city of Kotka.

Maybe I should thank skppo for starting this topic. It was a reminder for myself to check local auctions for technic sets and I believe that we are watching the very same site! Or maybe it was coincidence, but I found those same sets. Since I already own 8868 and 8880 from time before my dark ages, my choice was 8448. With all parts, instruction books, box and even those small boxes inside the large one, 105€ didn't seem like too much for this great looking car. Should look very nice on my shelf along with 8880 and 8070!

Yes they can be mounted on regular axles. And there is more than a friction force to prevent slipping. It's hard to explain (with my poor english), but if you look at this picture from Technicopedia (http://technicopedia.com/8857/8857wheels1.JPG), you can see how the other end of bushing matches the wheel. Yes, it can be driven around, range is not limited in any way.

Really brings back memories! 8843 Fork truck was my first ever technic set, my grandpa gave it as a christmas present. I don't remember that well myself, but my dad has told me afterwards that he had to help me build it and it really was not an easy task for him. He then told grandpa to never ever again buy such things to me. Luckily, he didn't obey and my next set was 8851 Excavator. Which I built all by myself. Thanks for posting!

Okay, this topic finally got me to register, so far I've only been reading but maybe now is time to write some thoughts. For me, year 2011 has been the end of the dark ages. At my younger years I was really into lego. Then as usual, I forgot them for many years to come (shame on me), roughly years 1995-2009. In 2009 I got 8262 Quad bike as a birthday present. It was not because of my interest in lego, but mainly because I ride ATV on my freetime. Little did the buyer of this gift (or even myself at that time) know what she started. That was the first touch to modern lego for me. Almost a year went and I didn't buy another set, but I became a regular reader of Technicbricks blog and later also this forum. Then one day I was buying a Duplo set as a birthday present... and before I noticed, I had walked out of store with not only the Duplo set, but also the 8069 Backhoe for myself. Then came year 2011 and there was no turning back... Next set was 8052 Container truck, because I wanted to get my hands onto power functions and linear actuators. Then I spotted a 8265 Front loader, second hand but in new and unopened box, with decent price... But now I had the urge to obtain a FLAGSHIP, something I hadn't been building in more than ten years. Unimog was just hitting the stores, so I had a difficult choice between 8258, 8043 and 8110. My choice was 8043 Excavator, only because I had to get those remote controls for use in some MOC. At some point I also rescued my old sets from my parents house, where they had been gathering dust for ages. All have to be disassembled and cleaned brick by brick... So far I've only done one, the mighty 8880 which is now shining like a new. At the end of 2011 I still got more sets, 8071 Bucket truck as christmas present and... right after christmas I decided that it's now or never for 8258 Crane truck. I found a shop that was still selling it and bought right away. Just finished building it and boy, did I have fun! I was also surprised to see that it was not a very old set, it had new type of LA:s, new type of 16T clutch gears, new type of engine cylinder molds... So it hadn't been just lying on shelf all this time. I believe I can't resist very long the calling of 8110... But I think I'll try to hold on a little longer, just so I won't run out of building. It was also kinda sad to realize that I won't be building any MOCs anytime soon. This studless building is SO much different from what I was used to in yearly 90's! But maybe someday... Must also say that it was a little shock to build 8880, after I got used to these new instructions where you only add a few parts on each step. But I managed, so not all skills are gone. That was my story, or should I say, the beginning of my story, I don't think that end will come anytime soon.