Review: Technic Volvo EW160E
Posted by Huw,
This is always an exciting time of year for Technic fans, when the large 'advanced' models are released. I can clearly recall building 8480 Space Shuttle on my lounge floor in the heat of July 1996 having just purchased it in Argos, and I've enjoyed summer Technic building sessions ever since.
Technic went through a bit of a rough patch in the early 2000s when many of the 'flagship' models were lacklustre or non-existent, but that's certainly not the case nowadays. This year all three of the sets, 42053 Volvo EW160E, the subject of this review, the Claas tractor and the bucket wheel excavator could have been 'flagship' models.
I had planned to review the BWE first but it's proving something of a challenge to photograph due to its size, so instead I'll start with the smallest of the three, which weighs in at 1166 pieces, £70 and $120.
Despite its relatively diminutive size it's pretty much the perfect Technic model...
The prototype
The EW160E was introduced in 2015, the latest in a long line of Volvo wheeled excavators. It's a sophisticated and versatile machine, as shown in this video and product brochure. The version modelled by LEGO has the optional hydraulically raised cab which enables the operator to, for example, see into containers from above. Here's a nice picture from TheConstructionIndex, although I don't think this one has the raising cab.
Packaging and parts
I'm not going to bore you with details of the box but it's worth pointing out the picture of the alternative model, a L30G wheel loader which I'm told, appropriately, is built in the same factory as the EW160E. The instructions for it are not yet online but I suspect I will buy a second copy of the set in order to build it.
This set is the second to use the new Pneumatics v2 system, following last year's 42043 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245. The Arocs used a motorised pneumatic pump so this one introduces a new manual pump, part 6152004.
There are no other new parts in it as far as I'm aware.
The build
The build is split over 403 steps in the 250 page manual. At about half way through the chassis and pneumatic plumbing is complete. I had no problems routing the pipes (which are pre-cut to the correct lengths, unlike in years gone by) as can often be the case.
Although the model uses a hand pump to pressurise the pneumatic system a 6133813 Pneumatic Pump 1 X 6 No.1 (sorry the image is missing from LEGO's server) is provided along with instructions to operate it with Power Functions. It's buried deep inside the body.
Here is the cab raising mechanism which, unlike on the real vehicle is operated mechanically via a knob rather than hydraulically (or pneumatically in the case of Technic)
After about 300 steps the model is largely complete and awaiting the cab assembly.
The cab is built separately. I presume the orange part is a handrail which would be better positioned to the side of the cab but in the instructions its shown in this position which is why it's there in subsequent images.
The cab is held in place with a couple of pins and once attached all that's left is the addition of some body work and other cosmetic details.
The completed model
Excluding the arm, the model is 25cm long, 12cm wide and 16 high, so it's a nice and compact model that can be displayed easily.
The dashes of orange, presumably indicating the areas safe for the operator to tread on or touch, really make the model stand out from the ordinary and make a huge difference to its appearance. However, I've not found a picture of a real vehicle that exhibits them.
Functionality
Technic is all about functionality, of course, and this model has plenty of it. First, the front outrigger can be raised and lowered using the grey connector in the centre.
Here it's in an intermediate position with wheels still in contact with the ground
Pushing down again lowers it a bit more to raise the wheels off the ground.
The cab can be raised by rotating the black gear just behind it
The rear outriggers are lowered manually. The grey beams are moved separately and mate with the black sections to lock them in place. When in this position the wheels are lifted off the ground.
The black gear in the middle operates the steering.
Last, but certainly not least, three levers control the pneumatic system. The labels show what does what although unfortunately the direction of movement is not indicated which can lead to confusion when operating them.
The hand-operated pneumatic pump is situated behind the arm and is used to pressurise the system, which can be done before or after operating one of the levers.
Adding power functions
Instructions are provided for adding a Power Functions medium motor and battery box. I've not done this and I'll tell you why in a minute. Quite a lot of the chassis has to be removed in order to accommodate the battery box and some of the model's aesthetic is compromised. That's not the reason, though. I probably won't bother to do it because personally I think that motorised pneumatics do not work particularly well unless there's a reservoir in the system and unfortunately they have not been used since 2004.
Verdict
This model is small but perfectly formed and might just be my favourite Technic model from the last few years.
What I liked:
- It works well and is easy and fun to operate, once you've remembered which direction to move the controls.
- The colour scheme -- particularly the dashes of orange -- looks great
- It's based on a real vehicle and is a good representation of it.
- It's a good, solid, building experience which is not marred by pneumatic pipe routing difficulties which has been an issue in the past, or repetitive stages.
- Compact size, but full of detail and functionality.
What I didn't like:
- Actually I'm, struggling a bit to think of anything. I guess the lack of a reservoir is the only negative thing I can think of. They make pneumatically operated models work so much more smoothly.
- I can't even add 'stickers' to the list because they were generally easy to apply and now they are made of a new material they should be more robust than those I've had problems with in the past.
Overall it's an excellent set and one I do not hesitate in recommending. Pedants will find fault in it but then they find them in every Technic set, forgetting that it's a toy.
It'll be available in brand stores and shop.LEGO.com on 1st August although you may find in some shops already. Argos, for example.
Video review
Video reviews of Technic sets are a great way to demonstrate their functionality but as I'm not one for creating them I'll encourage you to view renowned Technic expert Sariel's if you want to see it in action.
Thanks to LEGO's community team for providing the set for review. The review is an expression of my own opinions and not those of the LEGO Group.
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17 comments on this article
I've looked forwards to this one since seeing the toy-show images. It's really nice they've included a motor-pump in the kit - with the one in the AROCS I can build a double action pump system! I'm really glad this model lives up to the billing, it seems very nicely resolved and developed and comes with a bunch of cylinders too for MOC's.
It's now in the purchase queue after the Crawler Crane - with the tracks, there's plenty of potential for building big pneumatic diggers.
Thanks Huw for a great review. This set was not even on my radar. Having experienced the new pneumatics in last year's 42043 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245, I agree that including a reservoir would make the system operate more smoothly.
I will probably give this set a miss and wait for the BWE. I do support the recommendation of viewing Technic expert Sariel's videos.
Baby you will be mine very soon...
Thanks for a review. Short yet detailed and precise, with great pictures. Can't wait for you to review BWE.
I can't wait to play with it! I (pre-)ordered mine at Amazon.fr last week for 89.99 €. It's probably the official € price.
Very well put together review, if I was on the fence about the Volvo, I certainly wouldn't be any longer after the read..I picked up 2 yesterday, 1 to build the main model and 1 for the alternate.
Have a question though..how soon does Lego post those alternate instructions for download on their website? I really want to build the loader version as well. I realize it is officially an 1 Aug release with TLG.
Wow. This is really quite a nice set... I might get this rather than the Claas, for two reasons... it's cheaper, and it has pneumatics--I've been wanting pneumatics in a smaller set since the Arocs came out.
I am really intrigued by the B-model. I can't wait for a review of it!
^^ I would think they'll be available on Monday when the sets appear at LEGO.com.
^ Pneumatics are very cool and well implemented in this set. It's a great introduction to them if you have none already.
I saw a few of these on a shelf a couple of days ago but I was really there for a BWE. Unfortunately the only BWE they had left was in a horribly destroyed box so I passed on it until they get more in stock. I guess I should have picked up one of these to mess around with while waiting.
The BWE doesn't do it for me but overall this is a great year for Technic!
I put this excavator on my wish list as soon as I heard about it and this review justifies that. I don't agree with the comments about the orange bits though, I think they look wrong and I'll most likely replace them with yellow. I do agree with a comment from Sariel about the tubing; it just looks messy on this model.
Apart from those two points though it looks like a brilliant model and I can't wait to build it.
Yes Sariel does have a point about the tubing. it could have been better constrained and tidier.
Great review Huw!
@ darkshadow79 If I was to ever have a gripe about the way new releases are handled, its that the digital version of the instructions are not available on release day. Thats not even a gripe really, more of a nit-pick :) There are still no digital instructions for Volkswagon Beetle 10252 and that was released to VIP's almost 2 weeks ago. Big Ben 10253 instructions were released the day or 2 after. Perhaps that has something to do with VIP vs public release dates. Some purists will disagree, but flipping through the digital version of instructions on my tablet, or even my computer monitor frees up more desk space for building.
Since mountain-moving machines do not appeal to me, I had been planning on giving this wave of Technic a pass--thank you, Huw, for showing me that this set was perfectly designed to give me enormous pleasure! It's skipped past a lot of more obvious desires to a second-place rating on my "Want List," entirely thanks to your detailed and beautifully photographed review!
^ Sorry! :-)
That looks like a really great model; I enjoyed your review very much! Looking forward to hearing about the Bucket Wheel Excavator - I can see why it'd be hard to photograph!!
These posts on Eurobricks show the real version with the orange step and handrail:
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120405&st=200entry2536604
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120405&st=275entry2582789
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120405&st=300entry2598847
Thank you for not simply treating stickers as a con on principle! Time will tell how the new sticker material will hold up, but no need to automatically assume they won't. :)
Good review overall! Not really interested in this set, personally — doesn't have the same "wow factor" for me as a lot of the larger Technic sets with Power Functions. But it's certainly a great and authentic-looking design.
^ Thanks for the links.
@rock99rock - I couldn't agree more. Seems like last year with the 42042 Crawler Crane and 42043 MB Arocs 3245 it took a couple weeks for them to become available. It would seem that if a set is released with an alternate model build, then TLG should post those instructions right away. I saw them several hrs ago available on LEGO.com, but no instructions link for either A or B model. Granted where I am in the US, its still nighttime, but still...I do have another gripe about the newer digital instructions. They used to be split into segments, 1/4, 2/4, etc., but now they are all in one very large pdf download. Only reason I don't like this, is that where I live all I can get is DSL connection, and it can take literally hours for just one pdf to download and many times it fails after so much time has elapsed, whereas if I did them in segments, its not too bad. Sucky part is I have to print them as I don't have any room on the computer desk to build. Ink is expensive, but I willingly do it with every summer release.