Review: 42148 Snow Groomer
Posted by CapnRex101,
I think smaller Technic designs have developed quickly in recent years, including many creative functions and offering good value. 42148 Snow Groomer certainly appears impressive, packing three neat functions into a model that contains only 178 pieces.
Moreover, the model features substantial detail for its scale and only costs £8.99, $12.99 or €9.99, so should be an outstanding entry-level set.
Summary
42148 Snow Groomer, 178 pieces.
£8.99 / $12.99 / €9.99 | 5.1p/7.3c/5.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
42148 Snow Groomer is an ideal introductory Technic set, with excellent functions
- Several satisfying functions
- Detailed, considering its size
- Some unsightly blue elements
The Completed Model
Large industrial vehicles provide excellent inspiration for the Technic theme, given their potential for interesting functions. Technic snow groomers and ploughs have accordingly been developed frequently, although generally as B models. In fact, only 8263 Snow Groomer has preceded this model and the 2023 version shares its colours, perhaps paying homage to the 2009 design.
Despite measuring only 14cm in length, this vehicle includes multiple functions. The articulated blade is connected to a black gear atop the snow groomer, changing its position using a simple linkage. This mechanism is exposed, although I like being able to see any functions in action on smaller Technic models like this one.
Additionally, a lever on the other side raises and lowers the blade. These two functions are quite clever because they can work in unison. Also, the blade looks good, using relatively new panels to create an authentic shape. The cab has provoked criticism though, as the frosted windscreen from 42121 Heavy Duty Excavator returns. Personally, I think the misted finish looks reasonable at this scale.
Red tooth elements are combined to form rounded bodywork around the cab, alongside a pair of 2x3 panels, appearing in red for the first time. The structure behind the cab is less attractive and includes some unsightly colours, with blue 1x1 beams highlighting levers. I understand the need to identify functions clearly, but perhaps black pieces could have been used instead.
On the other hand, occasional splashes of blue are present across the model, so there definitely could be worse colours. The second lever controls the snow cutter on the back, which works like the forward blade. As expected, the snow groomer also includes functional tracks, beside rubber wheels to aid movement on smooth surfaces.
Overall
Among several good options in recent years, I think 42148 Snow Groomer could be my favourite small Technic model to date! The functions are perfectly integrated and the bidirectional motion of the blade is particularly enjoyable. Moreover, this model looks quite appealing, without losing its traditional Technic charm.
Only the aforementioned blue elements are really an issue, but even those are excusable at this scale, in my opinion. The price of £8.99, $12.99 or €9.99 represents reasonable value too, so I would absolutely recommend this set to anyone seeking an introduction to LEGO Technic.
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37 comments on this article
These small technic sets are one of the best things lego has to offer. Small affordable builds with good functions and they often cover a decent range of topics! Now if only we could see a full size snow groomer....
If LEGO wanted action in a box they could have included Hawkeye in the set (to soon? Glad Jeremy Renner is recovering but my dad upon seeing the set in the LEGO catalog made the same observation)
I don't think the blue is all that unsightly. Makes it look like the sort of snow groomer Spider-Man would drive.
Gift this to Jeremy Renner
Is it really unsightly when it was made as a clear accent color?
Lovely selection of parts anyways. Would be good as a parts pack.
I dunno: 56/178 pieces are tracks. Seems the other 122 pieces are Renner jokes.
@Onatu said:
"Is it really unsightly when it was made as a clear accent color?
Lovely selection of parts anyways. Would be good as a parts pack."
I think so because many of the blue pieces feel randomly distributed, rather than part of a coherent pattern. It could certainly be worse though and others may disagree.
I wonder how the driver can see anything with this milky windshield.
+ it has a B-model
@Sandinista said:
"Gift this to Jeremy Renner"
Only if it was a Marvel Themed set.
Didn't think I'd see translucent windscreens again (though mine are only that way because of the scratches).
Picked this up just to have a little parts pack for tank tread pieces once built and disassembled. So blue accent color not minded — but frosted screen: not known if it’ll ever be put to use.
The frosted windshield/screen may actually be a plus for this set -- seems appropriate for a cold snowy day.
I guess it would have been in bad taste to put a Hawkeye mini-figure under it in the pictures.
I fondly remember the 2009 model, so this one homaging that, packing in very similar functionality, it has a b model, and the price seeming to be inflationproof make this an absolute win for me.
I'm saving it for an impulse purchase though, these sub-£10 sets are good for that.
The only thing I think could be improved would be if the B model was also a homage to that 2009 set, and I imagine that they at least considered that.
Another very decent little Technic set. Lego generally does a pretty good job on these, and this one is no exception either. The frosted windscreen is....not ideal, and is it weird that the few yellow parts bother me more than the blue?
And while I'm glad these still have a B-model, the one from this set is rather disappointing, very unlike 42147 where I actually like the alternate model more than the main model....
@xboxtravis7992 said:
"If LEGO wanted action in a box they could have included Hawkeye in the set..."
When you know you shouldn't laugh but you can't help yourself :~P
@Terry_Wright said:
"I don't think the blue is all that unsightly. Makes it look like the sort of snow groomer Spider-Man would drive."
Not going to lie, at first glance I thought this was a Spider-Man set. An amazing Technic model though. I'll be picking this up for my kids.
@Goujon said:
"These small technic sets are one of the best things lego has to offer. Small affordable builds with good functions and they often cover a decent range of topics! Now if only we could see a full size snow groomer...."
8263 would like a word with you.
The blue 1x1 beams are pretty rare, though. Previously only found in the Daytona. Individually it looks like they go for around $1/ea. right now.
[Personally, I think the misted finish looks reasonable at this scale.]
Agreed! I really don't understand all the fuss about it. It's just a small toy machine, not even compatible with any figure who would need to "see" thru it. It could have been black for all I care. It just need to represent a windscreen, not actually be one. Frosted looks good to me, even more so for a snow/ice themed thing.
It was here on Brickset that I first learned the word "Snow Groomer" for "Snow Plow." It couldn't have been back in 2009. That was way too long ago. Was there a snow plow in an advent calendar that this term came up. "Snow Groomer" sounds so funny to me. It makes the Snow Plow man sound like he's really an artisan or a beautician for the streets. Like when the Subway restaurant calls the kids behind the counter, "Sandwich Artists."
Wow, this small set is actually quite good! Is lego regaining their touch?
@captcrouton said:
"It makes the Snow Plow man sound like he's really an artisan or a beautician for the streets."
"Mr. Plow, that's my name. That name again is Mr. Plow."
@captcrouton said:
"It was here on Brickset that I first learned the word "Snow Groomer" for "Snow Plow.""
They are not really interchangeable terms, two different machines for different purposes. Snow plows are used to clear snow from roads, walkways, and such areas where you don't want any snow. Snow groomers are used to prepare the snow in areas where you want it, like ski-slopes for example.
Why does the background keep changing with the reviews lately? A mix of white and grey...
Also, can we get a review for 75337 and 21331 as they appear to be forgotten about with all these new 2023 sets...
@ozbrickcreator said:
[[Why does the background keep changing with the reviews lately? A mix of white and grey...]]
It depends on who's taking them. LEGO is notoriously difficult to photograph easily and effectively on white because the light reflects off its glossy surface, which is why Capn and I use grey. Colours tend to 'pop' more.
Also, can we get a review for 75337 and 21331 as they appear to be forgotten about with all these new 2023 sets...]]
@ozbrickcreator said:
"Why does the background keep changing with the reviews lately? A mix of white and grey...
Also, can we get a review for 75337 and 21331 as they appear to be forgotten about with all these new 2023 sets..."
I am intending to review 75337 AT-TE once the current range of 2023 sets has been covered. I starting work on the review for November, but other articles took precedent at the time.
This is what Technic has come to.
The only sets that warrant a purchase and are worthy of the name are the 10 Euro entry-level ones.
Why can't there be large sets anymore that are this good and with such great value for money?
Oh wait, because this has had actual thought and care been put into the design - and it doesn't include (and doesn't need) a licence.
THIS is how a Technic set should be.
@LegoBoi69 said:
" @xboxtravis7992 said:
"If LEGO wanted action in a box they could have included Hawkeye in the set (to soon? Glad Jeremy Renner is recovering but my dad upon seeing the set in the LEGO catalog made the same observation)"
What a great MOC idea "
I thought of it, and I don't have a Hawkeye minifigure yet. Only member of the core-6 original Avengers I lack completely. I do have the City snowcat from a few years back...
Awful idea, I know!
@captcrouton said:
"It was here on Brickset that I first learned the word "Snow Groomer" for "Snow Plow." It couldn't have been back in 2009. That was way too long ago. Was there a snow plow in an advent calendar that this term came up. "Snow Groomer" sounds so funny to me. It makes the Snow Plow man sound like he's really an artisan or a beautician for the streets. Like when the Subway restaurant calls the kids behind the counter, "Sandwich Artists.""
There was a City snow groomer in 2019- 60222. Perhaps this is what you remember?
@xboxtravis7992 said:
"If LEGO wanted action in a box they could have included Hawkeye in the set (to soon? Glad Jeremy Renner is recovering but my dad upon seeing the set in the LEGO catalog made the same observation)"
My thoughts exactly. lolz
@RTS013 said:
" @captcrouton said:
"It was here on Brickset that I first learned the word "Snow Groomer" for "Snow Plow.""
They are not really interchangeable terms, two different machines for different purposes. Snow plows are used to clear snow from roads, walkways, and such areas where you don't want any snow. Snow groomers are used to prepare the snow in areas where you want it, like ski-slopes for example."
Exactly. Totally different things.
One of the most common examples appears to be the Kässbohrer Pistenbully, which looks very much like 60222 from 2019's City lineup.
https://www.pistenbully.com/en/home/snow-groomers.html
Funny thing is that 60222 actually misses the "grooming" tool itself, which is the attachment at the back of the vehicle that does the grooming bit. The blade at the front clears the slope, the tracks of the vehicle compress the snow and the grooming attachment forms the final result, be it totally flat, with different kinds of grooves or roughened. There's various grooming possibilities.
Great to have functionality different from the usual steering. Maybe if the scale was slightly larger, with similar piece count to 42032, then the parts could contain more beams etc for alternative builds.
There was a very large scale snow groomer which was the first Lego Ideas Technic model to reach 10k but was not taken further
https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/c1c654d5-3057-4777-a9c6-992014948425
Maybe an update of 8263 would be more realizable.
Love this set. Went to the store a week or so ago to see if there was a nice Speed Champion set, but then I saw this one and the 42147 Dump Truck on the shelf and immediately bought both.
> The structure behind the cab is less attractive and includes some unsightly colours, with blue 1x1
> beams highlighting levers.
I like that they are blue, since when I tried to get hold of some in October hardly any had parted the big Ferrari, so I had to use a different part :)
@Ridgeheart said:
"I like it, but my broken brain just wants to add a System-seat to it, so I can add a minifig. Scalewise, it works.."
I tried. Too small of a cab to fit a mini figure.