Maaboo the Witch

No, it's one-way in and out.

Front-discharge truck would be a good idea.

Nicely put, Erik. @Jim, mate, you don't even build B-models. This is not your fight. "Pre-chewed"? Pal, I would hardly call models like the Mack LR or 42094's tracked dumper that. And I've never bought a Tamiya kit. I build with Technic. To those who disagree with me, I am not changing my stance. Every other theme can drop them as far as I'm concerned, but B-models should be, in my opinion (which I will stick doggedly to), part and parcel of the wider Technic theme. They add value and appeal to a set. End of.

Exactly. Back in the 90's and early 00's, all of these sets had B-models as well, and I enjoyed figuring out how to build them from the back of the box (I remember that surge of pride when I figured a particularly hard part out). But the net result now is, ironically, pretty much what you describe here. I feel that Lego products have been losing an intrinsic value both creative and monetary over time since the mid-00s, and much of Technic is just the latest casualty of that.

It also removes the essence of Lego. If you want a Volvo A60H, why not just get the Tamiya version and save yourself five hours it takes to put 42114 together? Same goes for 42112 - just get a Bruder concrete mixer, since you get the same net result with the Technic version. TLG are shooting themselves in the foot with this.

Tracked dumpers of the configuration seen in 42094 generally don't have tailgates. Neither do they have winches. It's accurate.

What the hell was wrong with 42094's B-model? It's one of the only two Technic tracked dumpers in existence! And it could have been the A model!

The best kind of right to be.

Digital instructions are less accessible than booklets and take more effort to obtain. Plus it means staring at a screen for hours on end or printing them off yourself at great expense (even if you double up the pages), and is an altogether less pleasant experience than simply taking your time with a real manual. It should therefore come as zero surprise that less people would take that route. No, I was making a counterpoint to Tim's argument that everything in the 2H wave was entirely new. Which it isn't. Can we drop it now? Thanks.

I did once, only it was a crappy secondhand lot that I got from some spiv on Amazon (it had pins from the 80s in it). I did actually build the buggy first, then the tractor. I noticed recently that his store has gone the way of the dodo after some complaints, but I'm not gonna be smug about that. Oh well, maybe a little. Couldn't agree more.

Is it, though? Say that five per cent of Technic buyers do download instructions for alternates. How much of TLG's combined customer base buys Technic? Surely more dedicated fans are worth the effort. I for one always build the B, except 42006 for some reason. Never got round to it, I guess.

Paradoxically, saying "that's a bad argument" is a bad argument. My point was that @Timorzelorzworz was saying everything this year was new in principle, when only 42112's drum is even remotely new. The rest has been seen before, albeit not for a while in some cases. Tiltrotor - 8434. Motorized gearbox - 8043. Motorized dump bed - 8264. That isn't good in my view. And not including booklets for micro sets doesn't bode well on that front either. I have a feeling that B-models in general may be endangered. It's a shame, seeing as some B-models have attracted my interest to certain sets in the past.

They're great sets. I am not calling that into question at all. What disappoints me is the lack of B-models. The C+ stuff just about gets a pass (and even that is provisional, given Milan's work with 42100) because the rigid nature of the platform makes creating B-models harder. But the mobile crane and concrete mixer should have had official alternates. Relying solely on the fans isn't good practice in my view, and TLG should at least present a starting point for those who want to try making their own models.

Same here. No results for him on Google either. The Masked Designer has arrived! Yay Mic! I'll say it again - that's interesting. Maybe the "98-18" clue in 42097 had a deeper meaning than we first thought. Not surprising. 42113 does have shades of 42066 about it. Markus has also done sets with loads of new parts before, so that fits. JCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCBJCB.

It's okay, I understood. Wow, Lars T did 42112 and Markus was behind 42113? Fascinating. Interesting to hear that Alfred may no longer be on the payroll, as well. So who did 42114? I just think Uwe whenever I take a close look at it.

I think it's more of an Aurelien job. The beam work and general style (especially the doors) remind me of the Arctic Truck and other sets by him.

We really need a digger or loader that uses the bucket parts from 42055 and/or 42061.

I understand how it works just fine. Speeds and horsepower. Technic sets from 2000 worked on that principle. And B-models of previous sets have rocked. Look at the PEGAX and the dumper from 42094! I don't even think 42097's B was that bad. Sure, it didn't rotate, but it was fun to unfold.

Tipping dump bed and steering? Never seen that before! And a complete lack of B-models? That is new! Woooooooow!

There's always boogie suspension. All you need is the right beat.

The concrete trucks I see going about have rearview mirrors, so I guess that technology has yet to hit England. Or, at least, the part of England where I live.

Each bogie could have its own drivetrain.

Pendular bogie suspension is literally one of the simplest features to implement. 8264 shows that all it takes is a couple of pins and some beams.

I know they're not included in 42108, but these tyres would look great on this thing: