42024 Container Truck: the perfect Technic set?
Posted by Huw,
I'm catching up on building some of the Technic sets I've acquired over the last year or two, now I have room to store them following the dismantling of many of my older ones.
Whilst building 42024 Container Truck it struck me that it's pretty much a perfect Technic set, and possibly the best of the year. Read on for my reasoning.
This year's Technic sets have come in a variety of sizes, from a tiny 140-piece helicopter to the 1600-piece motorised Volvo Wheel Loader.
The smallest and cheapest sets have a place on the shelf and fulfill the need for inexpensive gifts and pocket money items but, generally, they are of little interest to the AFOL Technic aficionado.
At the other end of the scale, the Wheel Loader and the Cargo Plane will of course appeal to AFOLs but I would argue that they are too big, complex and expensive for all but the most experienced young builder, and perhaps so for some AFOLs who don't want to sit down at a table with thousands of pieces and spend eight or more hours building.
The container truck sits somewhere in the middle, with just under 1000-pieces, and costing just one-third of the price of the Wheel Loader.
It's an extremely attractive, functional and colourful model. Unlike the Volvo behemoth, which is virtually all black and yellow, there are six colours of beams and panels in this set (black, dark grey, yellow, red, blue and light grey). When you look through the Technic back-catalogue, you'll see that that's quite unusual.
The only thing wrong with it is the name because clearly it's not a 'container truck' but a European-style rubbish skip lorry.
It has two functions: raising/lowering the outriggers at the back and loading/unloading the skip. In common with many recent Technic models, the functions are switched via a gearbox controlled by a lever which enables a single motor, or wheel on the right-hand-side, to power both.
The motor and battery box are not included in the set but I've added them here because it takes a lot of rotations, and effort, to operate it otherwise.
The unloading 'arms' are moved using two large linear actuators. If the skip is unloaded with the outriggers raised the axle on the back of the skip is caught by a 'hook' on the back of the truck which causes it to tip and to empty the contents.
With outriggers lowered, the 'hook' is moved out of the way and the the skip can be unloaded.
The only thing I can fault, other than the set's name, is the way the chains are attached to the skip: the skip should have nubs on the side for the chain to connect to. I suspect it's a relatively easy modification to make although a longer chain would then be needed, and the chain links are not that common.
The motor fits very elegantly underneath and can be added and removed without the need to dismantle any of the vehicle. Fitting the battery box requires only minor modification.
In summary, it's pretty much a perfect Technic set and one that would make a great introduction to the theme.
- It's not too big to be intimidating but it's still packed with realistic functionality that mirrors that on the real vehicles.
- It's attractive and colourful.
- It doesn't take ages to build, it's not too complex, but it is very satisfying to construct and also to operate once it's complete.
It's my favourite Technic set of the year. What's yours?
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11 comments on this article
I haven't managed to get hold of the Volvo wheel loader yet and haven't actually got round to building this one either. But I bought this as soon as it was out, as it was my must buy Technic set of this year. And yes it is a skip lorry. Nothing wrong with that name.
Glad to hear it has other things going for it than just it's kerb appeal. Might have to shuffle it up my long 'to build' list.
Shame they don't make the Technic "macrofigures" anymore. Have they been relegated to the dusty annals of LEGO history?
In Germany we call the thing on the back of the truck "Container". So for us the name is just right. ??
My favorite Technic set of the year is the Construction Crew. Three simple and yet functional builds, plenty of good parts, price is in the middle of the range... I would have a blast with that. Only one downside: You can't motorize it!!
Bought this on a whim (it was half price) even though I'm not usually a Technic builder - sounds like I made a good choice! Looking forward to building it even more now...
@UtarEmpire, they haven't seen the light of day since the early 2000s or so IIRC which is a shame, I agree.
@Larsianer, OK, fair enough. It's a rubbish 'container' then :)
I recently purchased this direct from Lego NZ when they made a range of damaged boxes available to LUG members at heavily discounted prices. It pays to belong to such a group.
I agree with all your comments in this review:
* I like the colours, particularly the blue beams and plates.
* The rubbish skip is lifted on and off with precision.
* Attaching the power motor makes the set function smoother.
* The chains should be longer and attach to the sides.
* Like you, I also did not attach the stickers.
* It should be called a Rubbish Skip Truck.
@UtarEmpire, I agree that the return of Technic macrofigures would be great. I have used Emmet Key Light figure in my displays, but that is not a perfect compromise.
While I think it is a great set for someone looking for a large-sized (but not too large) entry to Technic (it's the first large set my other half bought - I had to rebuild it after she accidentally placed one of the gearbox gears the wrong way around), I would disagree with it being a near perfect set; at the very least it needs the motor, it operates too slow without it (though that is the case with a lot of these types of sets, and since I keep them mostly for display it isn't really a great problem for me - but for somebody new to Technic expecting lots of movement they can be a bit of a put-off).
I do like the functionality, it's quite satisfying, and the build is a great easing into it for those new to more complex Technic sets, while still being interesting enough for those who have built a lot of Technic. Lack of motor aside, my only other issue is aesthetic. I'm not fond of the colour scheme, I would switch the red chassis for dark grey. But I guess that's a matter of personal opinion :)
Skip lorry.
Pretty good value for those who got them half price from Argos.
Came out in 2012, but got the 4x4 Crawler and it was my favorite build this year! The model was pretty cool but mainly the remote control aspect is the best feature. Moves very slowly though and just made me want to build something faster with the set. If you search the web for: 4x4 Crawler 9398 model C, you should find custom instructions for a nice size, very quick, Four Wheeler ATV!!! Difficult to build and follow instructions, but doesn't take that many pieces and now I have an awesome remote control LEGO Technic vehicle! I love it so much I haven't even taken it back apart yet. Way cooler than the actual model I bought!