Random set of the day: Mud Masher
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 8226 Mud Masher, released in 1998. It's one of 27 Technic sets produced that year. It contains 127 pieces, and its retail price was US$13.
It's owned by 1757 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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12 comments on this article
Sure looks good for mashing mud. If that is possible.
Yesss! One of the few Technic sets I have (other than Bionicle). I remember it was Lego Mania Magazine that made me want this one.
I’ve got most of this one. The main body’s all there, as are the tires, but strangely all the actual wheels are missing.
Technic chairs are a beautiful piece of design.
There were really outstanding Technic sets that year. This is not one of them. It may be creative but it doesn't appeal to me.
Where did the steering wheel go?
This is one of my favorites from 1998! Unlike Technic sets of the early 90s, the Mud Masher was of the short-lived "Tech Play" subtheme. The focus seemed to be less on technical realism to achieve functionality, but functionality through play features. In this set's case, steering for the front and back sets of wheels could be performed by rocking the set left and right whilst holding the car at the knobs above and behind the driver's seat. Rubber bands held the back set of wheels in a vertical position, and then would allow a certain degree of movement when you rocked the set to the left or right. Pushing the set forward would allow to then activate the steering of the front axle, which wasn't held in place by rubber bands, just a linkage connecting the wheels.
In short, it is a simple set, but for me, incredibly fun to roll around over the floor, the bedspread, or any uneven surface. I loved the balloon tires and the red-and-black color scheme. The driver's seat, an unnecessary detail, allowed me to place Technic maxi-figures in the car for a wild, "autonomous" ride. I think I even used some of the pieces in my Mindstorms MOCs in the following years before packing it all back together again when my family moved in 2003.
@brickengineeringdude said:
"Where did the steering wheel go?"
I used to have this set. It steered by pressing the whole car to left or right. If I remember rightly it was an interesting combination of technic arms and rubber bands
Pretty cool Technic car, looks like a fun design. I also like the parts included, like the black ribbed hoses and the technic chair on witch you can fit actual figures.
A note of thanks to the thoughtful admin or user who uploaded a decent scan of this set. Hoorah for more pixels!
Actually looks quite sturdy despite most of it appearing to be made from tubes
It's a small but fun play set. The steering on this is definitely one of the more creative designs.
No special parts involved, so you can easily build one from online instructions (although the pdf that's linked here on Brickset is a bit of a mess...