Holiday gift guide: Concrete mixer truck
Posted by Huw,
Today's selection in the $100-$200 category comes courtesy of chefkaspa, 42112 Concrete Mixer Truck:
Finally, a new truck idea at a good scale! A cement mixer (to be precise: ready-mixed concrete) was only available in the Lego City line before.
The set designers chose to use a special, big drum piece to implement a play function: The drum can be filled with Lego pieces and unloaded by a Technic function.
What I also like: Bright - respectively classic - blue is back in Technic, but only as supporting element as the main colour is dark blue. The size should be attractive to anyone interested in Technic. The build isn't very challenging and seems to be suitable for all ages.
Upon closer examination, one may find some issues that could be improved. Don't be afraid, the truck allows for any improvements that you may think of!
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5 comments on this article
Back when this was first reviewed, I said it'd look good next to my 42079 if only I had the spare change for it. (I know, concrete mixers and forklifts aren't normally found together, but... that dark blue!)
Well I got it at 36% off last week. Still over 100 bucks where I live, granted, but the local MSRP is almost 200, so... a good deal's a good deal.
If being very pedantic (nerd alert), having worked in the trade many years ago the model here appears to be an "in-transit" mixer, the tank behind the drivers cab contains water and any additives and it is mixed en-route or at site.. i.e. loaded with dry ingredients at the plant... It can to be fair also be filled with ready-mix from a batching plant but the actual model depicted is designed for in-transit mixing. It's distance, likely wait times and mix requirement (slump, working time, strength, additive types) etc that would determine if done at plant on in the mixer.
In The Netherlands it is sold for € 75,00 at Amazon.nl
Seems to be regularly on discount at Amazon, probably as there are lots of alternatives at the same price which may have been more popular, e.g. crane 42108 as all the usual mechanical crane functions, Dom's Charger 42111 for a mid-size technic car, RC Stunt Racer 42095 for fun with wheelies!
We have this set, and my kids like it. The color scheme is sharp, the design puts the fun into function, and it also has some cool details like the multi-radius proportional steering (I'm sure there's a proper term for that, but I don't know it). I haven't tried to motorize it yet, but there's plenty of space behind the cab for a servo motor and possibly enough space under the tank to squeeze in a medium or large PF motor. The battery box is a problem, but worst-case there's always the cab.
The engine rotation is directly geared to the wheels, so i might need to redo that so that the engine connects directly to the electric motor and barrel, and the shifter controls whether the wheels are engaged.