Review: 42049 Mine Loader
Posted by Huw,
It's a bit of a quiet week for news this week so we are taking advantage of the lull to cram in as many reviews of 2016 sets as we can. Today I am looking at Technic 42049 Mine Loader, one of the eight Technic sets released in January and, unusually, the only industrial plant vehicle in the range.
Box and contents
The box is smaller than one might expect for a $50/£30 set, and it is much heavier than you would expect too.
There are three instruction manuals. It was a pleasant surprise to see a book for building the alternative model, usually instructions for the second model are only available online. The second model is also a mining machine, one that hacks away at rock with a rotating blade. I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know what it is!
The main cause of the weight is the four large tyres, not shown below, which accompany the 472 other pieces in the box
There's a dreaded sticker sheet, too.
Parts-wise, there is nothing new in this set but there are several pieces worth mentioning.
For some reason the 6L and 7L axles are red and yellow respectively. There's no good cosmetic reason why this should be the case, as is usually the case when coloured axles are used.
The model makes extensive use of these new pins, introduced in 2014 and 2015. There are 13 of the type on the left and two of the one on the right.
The full inventory can be viewed here.
Construction
Like many Technic sets, construction begins in the middle of the model with the most complex gear assembly which in this case is the heart of the steering, engine and front grabber control.
The engine is mounted at the back. I always find constructing Technic engines so tedious. Luckily this one is not too bad given it has only two cylinders.
The front is added next which, as you can see, is articulated by means of a large 'Z60' turntable.
The hand/grabber assembly is a neat compact design that may have uses in your own models.
This is attached to the front via a mechanism that enables it to be raised and lowered.
The cab is attached to the left-hand-side.
Fitting rear mudguards, bodywork and the wheels complete the model.
The finished model
It looks great. At about 40cm x 10cm x 10cm it's a good size. Operation is via three controls:
- Steering, using the black gear by the cab.
- Opening and closing the grabber by rotating the black gear on the horizontal axle above the left rear wheel. This is a somewhat unusual means of operation in my opinion but it works okay.
- Raising and lowering the grabber using the mechanism illustrated in the next two pictures
Grabber in lowered position.
See the 5L grey axle above the front wheels? Push it back/down to raise the grabber.
The barrel is constructed from two Container 3X8X5 With Hole Ø 4.85, design 15361, which was first used in HERO Factory sets in 2014. This is its first appearance in a solid colour and for some reason it's not included in the set's inventory at LEGO Customer Services.
You can see the gear that operates the grabber better in the picture below, just in front of the engine. Yes, that's a fencing foil being used for the aerial.
As this type of vehicle operates primarily underground it has a very low profile. I've been unable to find photos of real mine loaders that have a grabber at the front, they all seem to have shovels. Perhaps that was deemed too boring to replicate here.
Here's a view of the underside showing the gearing and steering mechanisms.
Verdict
I'm a sucker for Technic models of plant. I can give cars and trucks a miss but I do like a good yellow machine so this was the only model from January's selection that interested me.
Although there hasn't been any Technic mine loaders before there has been plenty of similar vehicles so this isn't going to set the Technic world alight but nevertheless it's an interesting vehicle with plenty of play potential for those that want it.
There's not much to complain about but there are a couple of small things I didn't like: the seat in the cab is off-centre so the driver's view would be impeded by the right-hand pillar, and the control mechanism for opening and closing the jaws -- the vertical gear in the middle of the model -- seemed a bit unconventional although it works perfectly well.
Overall then, it's an interesting vehicle which, unlike many small Technic sets these days, packs in a good amount of technical functionality. So, as well as pleasing Technic old-hands like myself, it's a great introduction to the theme for budding engineers.
It's available from shop.LEGO.com now: USA | UK | Canada | Germany | France
(Note: before anyone complains, the set was purchased with my own funds and I chose not to apply the stickers).
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24 comments on this article
For some reason this article incites me take out my old 8480 Space Shuttle. Might not be as complex as some recent sets, but I still consider it as one of the best. Lots of emotional reasons tho.
There is a new angles panel in yellow in this set
This model reminds me a lot of the very first Technic models. Every time I see it I think of my old 850 forklift model from my childhood. ( Still have it! ). As I'm a sucker for nostalgia, I wouldn't mind owning this at all.
I dismissed this as a boring set when I first saw photos of it, but after reading the review I'm actually quite tempted to get it! I'm not sure I like the technic axles in red and yellow though... I hope Lego isn't moving into colour coding all the parts like k'nex.
@inversion: No... 8480 is still just as complex as any modern technic set
In fact, as someone who grew up with technic in the 80's/90's I consider a lot of modern technic sets simplified... 'In the good old days'.. every function would be routed back to a 'control panel' of levers or cranks.. - even the original Technic 856 Bulldozer is fully operated from the rear...
Look at any recent Technic Backhoe, or small crane.. and you'll be rotating a gear right next to the claw, to open it... what's the point in that? may as well just directly hand-operate everything, like a City/System set!
This set, while definitely original in creation, suffers a similar 'simpleness'... a control lever at the rear to operate the lift, would have been cooler... and cranks/handles are much easier to control, than a small black gear
^ Totally agree. That's what surprised me about the controls on this one: normally they are all neatly presented at the back or side of the model, aren't they.
This set is kind of iffy to me. It looks good and fun to play with, but parts of it seem unfinished... like the designers ran out of budget to get a proper cover for the rear end. And it should be illegal to have such an inefficient worm gear system for the claw and put a tiny, vertical GEAR in to control the thing!
So for the asking price, I'll pass.
^Huw, the last few years' Technic sets don't have all the controls neatly in one place. By which I mean none of them.
Stickers of today are of very high quality. They are certain to hold up better than stickers of the past. Whereas in the past I used to dread it, I actually look forward to applying stickers now!
I, too, do not like controls so close to the bucket, but to say that sets of yesteryear all routed controls to the rear is inaccurate. Look at the original forklift. That said, when I create a MOC the controls all must be in the rear or in the operator's seat. Even on today's big sets you will see controls on stabilizer feet, for example. Lazy design!
"packs in a good amount of technical functionality."
No, it does not. It is badly designed, with poor functionality. That axle with universal joints under turntable is not reinforced, because otherwise it would not work. Articulation points on the universal joints does not match points on the frame and arm. In other words, that axle bends a little to allow to move grabber up and down.
Whole arm has very limited range of movement, few cm in something that is called a loader is not enough.
I have few Technic sets in my collection and this one is worst of them all.
@RohanBeckett,
Agreed that the older models had more interesting mechanisms. For example the grip and lift mechanism in the 8250 Search sub is accomplished with one function rather than two, and is way cooler to watch in action.
I also find it strange that they took the trouble to route the gripper control all the way through the articulated middle to behind the cab, but didn't bother to run it to the back, where a larger gear or crank could make it easier to use.
Despite the unique subject matter of the set, I don't plan to purchase because it really offers nothing new or mechanically interesting.
Blimey, it's a bit of a minefield reviewing Technic sets: there seems to be more nit-picking of the reviews and the models than any others we do.
Maybe we shouldn't bother...
For what its worth I enjoyed the review. Had a good laugh about the comment regarding the stickers too. I didn't actually notice them missing till you mentioned it as I never apply stickers to my Technic models and many of my city models as well. Tough job being the reviewer I would be sad to see you neglect the theme completely. Thanks again for the work you do.
i am with "tallblocktoo" on all that he sed.
good job.
Ignore the negativity Huw, i love the technic theme so appreciate the reviews :)
I greatly appreciate both the review and the nit-picking comments--they make me more, not less, curious about the model itself. I was very tempted to get this after reading the review, but now I'm actively looking forward to having it in my hands and looking for evidence of the flaws M_longer has pointed out. Many thanks to the whole Brickset community!
The review is great! Its a rational and well written opinion about this set. Although there has been comments about geometry mistakes made on the grabber's axis, the universal joint is supposedly placed in a wrong place (not in the articulation axis). But it seems that is not affecting the performance as you just confirmed in the review, seems like a fun model to play with.
Please keep reviewing Technic, this has been an enjoyable read :)
To address @M_Longer's point about the position of the UJs, yes there is a minuscule amount of up and down movement of the axle attached to one of them as the mechanism is operated, but it's tiny, and well within the tolerances you can reasonably expect in a toy. It's a non-issue. You wouldn't notice if it wasn't pointed out to you.
Keep up the great reviews Huw! They're great to get a sense of where Technic is at now. I've got my old Technic 8860 up in the attic (my main Christmas present from when I was 8). Tempted to get it down and rebuild it with the kids to see what they make of it.
Huw, the review is constructive and useful, please don't cut down on Technic reviews, increase them!! I'm hoping you are visiting the toy fair tomorrow and will pay particular attention to the Technic info, it's certainly in demand and lots of anticipation around the 2H models!
Yes more technic reviews please!
Agree with what the other reviewers have said about more Technic reviews, not less. The advanced nature of Technic models/builds may invite more review critiques, but for every critical comment you've got hundreds/thousands of other readers that don't comment but that appreciate the review. For Technic reviews I check out Sariel's YouTube channel, and JANGBRiCKS when he reviews them, but Brickset reviews have their own unique style to them, e.g. reflecting on the in process construction with words and pictures, which I learn so much from, and I'm thrilled anytime you review Technic.
For the record my comment was not a reflection of the quality of the review, and I absolutely appreciate the reviews of Technic sets.
As a mining engineer I have seen plenty of underground loaders at work. They typically don't have grabs as we use telehandlers or ordinary wheel loaders with forks for that. Much older ones may have had grabs though.
Also in virtually all mine loaders (or LHDs - Load-Haul-Dumps) the driver sits facing towards the machine and side-on to the front and rear. This is because the machine spends 50% of it's time reversing and it's much easier if the operator can look left and right rather than turning around.
As for the rear and engine area being uncovered, many do operate like that as it gets pretty hot underground (40-50C) so it helps cool the engine.
Looks like a pretty decent basic Technic model to me, just like the older stuff! Great review too! Oh, and the alternative model looks loosely like a Roadheader.
Strange this model is called mine loader, since it is equiped with a nuclear waste barrel. Does not sound so friendly I guess. I do miss radiation stickers though.