Paul B Technic

Yes, I also had this and so have other reviewers. I just don't push mine around.

Sad to see but as I posted in the Technic Pub, I worry at some point that Technic will become so far removed from what we knew and loved, that some of us will step away. I was looking at an old thread and a lot of the posters have not been on here for years.

95% auto, 5% manual for new cars in the last few years. The only manuals you really see are in commercial vans and small trucks.

Very nice work and good to see something different from this set.

My apologies... ; 100%. My last personal car with a manual transmission was in 2017. Since then I have had work cars, so stuck with whatever they are. One of the team had a manual transmission work car but when he left, nobody wanted it, they were all so lazy / happy with an auto. In the end, I told the boss I would swap mine with this one, as I don't mind a manual and it was actually a nicer model.

Anybody feeling a bit "uneasy" about the future of Technic? Will we get to a point where what it is, is so far removed from the place it started, that some of us no longer has the same interest in it?

I think this is fine.

LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 – Mod – Post Rammer One of the advantages of modifying the LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 is the ability to create a wide range of functional attachments based on real-world equipment. This Post Rammer attachment is inspired by machinery used to install fence posts, guard rails, and similar roadside infrastructure. The attachment is mounted to the rear of the Unimog and connects directly to the rear PTO system. Power from the PTO is used to drive the lifting mechanism, causing the rammer assembly to move up and down in a controlled motion. A post rammer works by repeatedly lifting and dropping a heavy weight onto the top of a post, driving it into the ground. While this LEGO Technic version is designed for demonstration rather than actual installation work, it recreates the basic operating principle of the real equipment. The model makes use of the rear PTO that was added as part of my ongoing modifications to the 42242 Unimog. This allows the attachment to be powered directly from the vehicle without requiring its own dedicated drive system. As with my other rear-mounted attachments, the design focuses on reusing existing mounting points and drive connections. This helps reduce the number of additional parts required while maintaining compatibility with other attachments built for the same rear mounting system. The Post Rammer adds another practical utility attachment to the collection and demonstrates another real-world application that can be recreated using LEGO Technic mechanisms and the modular rear PTO system.

LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 – Mod – Lifting Access Platform One of the latest attachments developed for my modified LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 is a rear-mounted lifting access platform. The attachment uses my standard rear-mounted lifting setup, allowing it to connect to the Unimog using the same mounting points and lifting mechanism as several of my other rear attachments. This approach helps maintain compatibility across different designs while reducing the number of unique components required. The concept is based on a telescopic boom lift or elevated work platform, although in this case the lifting mechanism is mounted at the rear of the vehicle rather than using a traditional boom arrangement. A significant amount of development time was spent on the access platform itself. One of the primary goals was to keep the platform level throughout its operating range. This required a number of design revisions to ensure the platform remained level when fully lowered, fully raised, and during the lifting process. The completed attachment provides another functional option for the Unimog platform and demonstrates how the standard rear lifting system can be adapted for a variety of different applications. It also serves as a basis for further experimentation with lifting and access equipment designs in the future.

I am not "reviewing them", I am sharing them and notes and comments on when I have come up with an improvement to a previous one.

I also found these were running on my blog, which I have also killed.

I really can't explain that, as it is a very cool design. I guess most people go for the "full size" one. I use to own 42177, which I did a bunch of MODs to.

LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 – Attachment – Rubbish Loader MK2 I have always been a fan of rubbish trucks and rubbish loading equipment. Over the years, I have built several different versions, experimenting with various lifting mechanisms and designs. There is something fascinating about watching a bin being lifted, emptied, and returned to the ground using a clever mechanical system. After returning my modified LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 back to its original tray size, I discovered that my previous rubbish loader attachment was simply too large to fit the revised rear layout. Rather than seeing this as a setback, I took the opportunity to redesign and improve the attachment, resulting in the new Rubbish Loader MK2. The attachment connects to the rear of the Unimog using my standard rear mounting points, allowing it to be installed and removed quickly. Like the original version, it is powered by the rear PTO output, providing a realistic and functional method of operating the lifting mechanism. One of the main improvements in the MK2 design is the lifting mechanism itself. The entire system has been strengthened and reinforced, resulting in smoother operation and improved reliability. Despite being more robust, the attachment is also noticeably more compact than the original version. The reduced size brings another advantage: it uses fewer parts. This leaves more pieces available for designing and building other attachments for the Unimog, something that is becoming increasingly important as the collection of rear-mounted equipment continues to grow. Using the PTO drive, the Rubbish Loader MK2 is able to lift a rubbish bin, tip it to empty the contents, and then lower it back to the ground. The sequence closely mirrors the operation of real-world bin lifting equipment and provides plenty of satisfying mechanical movement. I am very pleased with how this updated version turned out. The smaller footprint suits the standard tray configuration much better, while the improved lifting mechanism makes it both stronger and more reliable. It also continues to expand the versatility of the Unimog platform, demonstrating how a single vehicle can be adapted for a wide range of specialised tasks. The Rubbish Loader MK2 is a great example of how redesigning an existing model can lead to a better result. By making the attachment smaller, stronger, and more efficient, it has become an even more practical addition to my growing collection of Unimog attachments. https://paulbtechnic.blogspot.com/2026/06/lego-technic-42242-mercedes-benz-unimog_0482663457.html

Nice work with all these mods and improvments, I do agree that the wheels do look too small.

Well I could but I like the Unimog and am using that as a base for a bunch of mods. I was pretty set on buying another copy to do the loader but the other two are now also ones I want to build. If I buy instructions for an alt, I don't normally pull them apart l.

Very nice. You need to stop making these alternative models, as I now need to buy 3 more copies of 42242 to build all of them :)

LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 – Mod – Rear Mount Road Scraper This idea came from seeing the types of equipment commonly used to maintain gravel roads and tracks. A road scraper seemed like a perfect fit for the Unimog, adding another practical utility function while making good use of the rear PTO. PickupTrucks The attachment is built around a simple but versatile lifting frame that mounts directly into the rear tray. It fits neatly within the tray and is secured using just two 3L pins, making installation and removal quick and straightforward. Rather than designing a dedicated mounting system for a single attachment, I created a universal lifting arrangement that can be reused for future implements. This allows the road scraper to be swapped out easily while providing a solid foundation for additional rear-mounted equipment. The lifting frame is powered by the rear PTO, allowing the scraper blade to be raised and lowered using the Unimog's existing mechanical functions. This provides realistic operation and integrates the attachment seamlessly into the vehicle. The finished road scraper works surprisingly well and gives the Unimog another useful maintenance role. It also demonstrates how effective a simple attachment system can be while keeping the vehicle largely in its standard form. With the lifting frame now proven, I have plenty of ideas for future attachments that can use the same mounting points and PTO drive, further expanding the versatility of the LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023.

Very nicely done. Adding string is well within the scope of what is considered an alternate.

LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 – Mod – Rear Mount Plough After making several modifications to my LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023, including building a new crane mount, extending the tray, and replacing the tray tipping function with a rear PTO, I decided to set myself a new challenge. Rather than continuing to modify the Unimog further away from the original design, I wanted to see what could be achieved while keeping the model much closer to its standard configuration. To do this, I rolled back some of my earlier changes, moving the crane back to its original location and rebuilding the tray to its standard size. The only permanent changes I kept were the rear PTO and the removal of the tray tailgate, allowing room for future rear-mounted equipment. This led to the first attachment in what I hope will become a growing range of implements for the Unimog: a Rear Mount Plough. The attachment consists of a simple but versatile lifting frame that mounts directly into the rear tray. The entire assembly fits neatly inside the tray and is secured using just two 3L pins, making installation and removal quick and easy. A key design goal was to create a lifting mechanism that could be reused with other rear-mounted attachments in the future. Rather than building a dedicated plough-only solution, I designed a universal lifting setup that provides a solid foundation for additional implements and accessories. The lifting frame connects to the Unimog's rear PTO, allowing the plough to be raised and lowered using the vehicle's existing mechanical functions. This gives the attachment realistic operation while making good use of the PTO modification. The finished plough works well and demonstrates the flexibility that can be achieved while keeping the Unimog largely in its original form. It also marks the beginning of a new direction for the model, focusing on practical rear-mounted equipment that can be swapped in and out depending on the task at hand. With the lifting frame now complete, I already have several ideas for additional attachments that can make use of the same mounting system, further expanding the capabilities of the LEGO Technic 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023.

Random question: how much time a week do you spend on Technic? I am spending about 10 hours a week building, plus around 2 hours a day online, here, Facebook groups and eBay.

Get out....

Spot on, this is what Technic is all about.

Late 90's, early 2000's for me. Bush Placebo Garbage Green Day Silver Chair A whole bunch of "lesser known" Australian bands...

That is understandable. I am hanging out for your review on 42242, but understand you have a bunch to deal with.

Given TLG are happy with releasing the same sets in different colours or sets only a few years after a previous version, it would be great if for 2027, they released updated versions of some of the "classic" sets from the past :) Maybe, pick one from each of the last 5 decades? 8880 8043 8010 8258 Other than 42242, 2026 has not been great from my POV, I am now tracking down some older sets.