Review: 42116 Skid Steer Loader

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Skid steer loaders are an ideal type of vehicle to model at a small scale in Technic because, as the name suggests, they do not have conventional steering but instead steer by varying the speed of the left and right wheels, which thus simplifies the mechanics.

Weighing in at 140-pieces, 42116 Skid Steer Loader is the smallest of the 2021 Technic releases, so let's take it for a spin, or should that be skid...


The model offers two controls to operate the bucket. The gear on the top of the cab raises and lowers it, via a chain of 4 gears, while that on the left-hand-side tilts it to discharge the load.

Unfortunately there's a lot of slack in the mechanism and doing the latter also causes the arm to move up or down.

The model looks quite good until you view it from the right, at which point it looks awful!

From what I can tell from Google Images these machines have an 'arm' on both sides: there's no way just one would suffice when dealing with heavy loads. I guess the left-hand one has been omitted from the model in the interests of aesthetics.

There's nothing here really that'll be of interest to AFOLs -- other than a pair of black bushes that have not been used in a Technic set since 2005 -- but as a means of introducing the more advanced building system to a youngster and fostering an interest in mechanics and machines, it's ideal.

It'll cost $9.99 / £9.99 when released on 1st January.

Fans of B models will be pleased to hear that this set can be rebuilt into a hot rod using instructions that will be available online.


Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

19 comments on this article

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By in Germany,

It has more gears than the Jeep Wrangler ;)

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By in Australia,

Valid criticisms for people interested in complex and realistic Technic sets, but I agree this set is deliberately simplified for beginner builders and that's fine

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By in United Kingdom,

This model is based on the JCB 260 skid steer, which also has one arm. It allows easier access to the cab.

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By in Czechia,

Thank you for nice review. I like this set and I think it has good potential for alternative models. And about arms on both sides - it is true that most of skid steer loaders have two arms but for example loaders from JCB has only one same as this model. ;-)

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By in United Kingdom,

Thanks maaboo35 for clarifying single arm, although a yellow JCB body and black arm would be more pleasing to the eye and easier for spares in larger models. Reminds me of a simpler, lower piece count version of 42032: Compact Tracked Loader, which had similar lift and bucket twist.

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By in United Kingdom,

@maaboo35 said:
"This model is based on the JCB 260 skid steer, which also has one arm. It allows easier access to the cab."

Thank you. It looks to be suitable only for relatively lightweight use, though.

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By in Germany,

This is more in keeping with the spirit of Technic than all those recent overpriced licenced "display models" combined imho.

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By in United Kingdom,

"There's nothing here really that'll be of interest to AFOLs -- other than a pair of black bushes that have not been used in a Technic set since 2005"
Didn't we get black technic bushes in the Darth Vader constraction figure a year or so back?

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By in United Kingdom,

^ Yes, but that's not Technic :)

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By in United Kingdom,

@Huw said:
"^ Yes, but that's not Technic :)"

That... that is a good point.... :D

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By in United Kingdom,


@AustinPowers said:
"This is more in keeping with the spirit of Technic than all those recent overpriced licenced "display models" combined imho. "
100%. This 140-piece model has more functionality & playability than all three of those never-should-have-been-Technic vanity models put together.

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By in United Kingdom,

A nice review explaining it's functions. A fairly good price too. My only gripe in terms of aesthetics are the bucket scoop- it's very unappealing in shape. I agree, perhaps a black/yellow colour scheme would have been better?
I also agree with others that Technic thesedays is not the same as the studded Technic up until the late 1990s - even the smallest sets had more functionality and the great thing about Technic of old was the fact one could see the mechanics in action. SNOT sets do not do this anymore - a shame.

But as AustinPowers correctly pointed out,

"This is more in keeping with the spirit of Technic than all those recent overpriced licenced "display models" combined imho. "

I agree. It actually seems to me that it's the smaller sets that have some more link to the vintage Technic sets in terms of functionality over form.

I may still buy this set as it's a fairly cheap and small and will be something nice to build during the on-going Pandemic. (I am shielding for health reasons).

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By in Australia,

The single arm is very real, it’s a safety system so the driver can enter and exit easier

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By in Russian Federation,

It reminds me of my 1st Technic set – yellow front loader.

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By in United States,

I'm a big fan of the micro Technic builds. They pack great functionality into a $10 - $15 set.

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By in Australia,

@Huw said:
" @maaboo35 said:
"This model is based on the JCB 260 skid steer, which also has one arm. It allows easier access to the cab."

Thank you. It looks to be suitable only for relatively lightweight use, though."


It's rated at 1179Kg payload operating capacity (aka 50% Towards tipping point). That's pretty average across most types of skid steer loader from what I could find.

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By in United Kingdom,

Yep, I've driven the JCB one of these, with the lifting arm on one side. It lets you have an actual driver's door on the other side. They're also really good for wheelies, and kickspins!

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By in United States,

@

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By in Canada,

I'm new to lego technic, so as a beginner I think this set is great. I built it with my 5 year old and we had lots of fun with it.

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