Many have written of how awesome this set is. And they're not lying. I desperately wanted this model as a kid, and remember building it and playing with it fondly.

The primary model is awesome: the pneumatics are wonderful, especially the rather ingenious way in which the crane is rotated using two antagonistic cylinders. The pneumatics, with all the associated tubing, fully pack the model, so its amazing that not only have they managed to include also a motorized compressor, but there's also a V6 engine driven by 2 rear-axle differentials. For me as a kid this set was a endlessly enjoyable to play with.

But wait, there's more! The B-model. It's supposed to be a garbage collector, I think, and it's admittedly not very pretty, which may be why it's often overlooked. Undeserved, because it's probably the most ingenious Technic model in existence.

I remember when I built it I couldn't figure out how it worked: where in the A-model the compressor has a tube going to the center nozzle of the switches and then distributed to each nozzle of a cylinder, the B-model has tubing going everywhere. Also cylinders are in weird places, with cylinders actuating switches even! Only when you finish the model turn it on it's clear what you've built: a pneumatic sequencer! With the compressor running, the model will close the grabber, lift the arm to the cargo area in the back, open the grabber and bring the arm back down. It was many years later that I fully understood what was going on there.

I recommend getting this set, build the B-model, be amazed, and then build the A-model for it's stunning good looks (even now) and playability.

I got this set at a local Goodwill with a few other similarly-aged technic sets for $10! It was missing a few parts, but all the pneumatics and electronics were there and working, so I cant complain.

• Box/Instructions: None of the sets had their box or instructions, 8868 didn't have them either.

• Parts: Even for the time period, the parts are really cool, and work very well. The motor surprised me with how fast it was. The amount of parts is great as well.

• Build: The build was unfortunately confusing at times, and it was frustrating to build in the pneumatic parts, but the build was worth it.

• Completed Model: The finished model looks really nice, even for 1992. Its also pretty big. Now, what can the model do? First of all, the roof-top steering is very smooth and responsive, and when you push the truck, the V6 engine in the front turns making a satisfying sound. And for the pneumatics? They work wonderfully! There are two switches on either side of the truck that control the four functions of the crane: rotating superstructure, lifting and lowering shoulder and elbow, and grabbing claw. All of these work well and with some practice, they can be operated fluidly.

Final Thoughts: This set is way more than I thought it would be, if you can find one for cheap, pick it up! Even for todays standards, this set is phenomenal! the functions are great, the truck looks really good, and thw size of the truck is incredible for not having 1,000 parts.

This is one of my favorite sets of all time. I got it as a gift when i was 13, and struggled a bit once i got to the pneumatic portion. I wasn't very patient, but what 13 year old is? I never finished it. We ended up moving and the new tenents (family) found a collection of toys we accidentally left behind and sold them. I since recently bought it on ebay and built it over a weekend. Great build. Very well thought out and engineered set. The pneumatic tubing is a bit tricky if you aren't patient. I since grew up to be a plumber, so i take my time and make it look perfectly straight and square. My kids are a 2 and 4, so they aren't gentle with it, but with supervision they love to play with it. Ive taken it apart and rebuilt it twice. One day it will be theirs. Hope you all enjoy it as much as i did!

Box/Instructions

Yes

Parts

technic studded

Minifigures

no

The build

straightforward but challenging enough

The completed model

Fun to play with pneumatic claw funtions

Overall opinion

One of my favorites of all time

Oceans of ink have have already been spilled praising this model, so I won't cover what's gone before, what a remarkable set with just under a 1000 pieces, why do new sets have double/triple this?

Did you know that lego air tanks beautifully replace the mock standard ones with just a long axle and some pins to hold them on? Did you know you can get white air tanks? Well you can and although the mini compressor takes a while to charge the twin tanks it's great!! A double compressor setup 180 degrees out of phase with the original would really make this model fly, I've yet to develop this but as I'm typing I think it's something that needs to be completed!

The build is simple, but you have to pay attention with the hose routings, and get inventive when you add the plumbing for the air tanks (turntable cylinders turned up side down and hose runs are underneath).

If I can get one cheap enough I'll buy another to make the B model, and make the rear area solid like the unimog and arocs so it can actually hold and tip!

Brilliant, ingenious, astounding... the only way to describe 8868 is in the highest of superlatives. The king of all studded Technic sets totally deserves the glowing accolades that generations of fans have bestowed upon it. The iconic status of the set that ruled the 90s has not faded a single bit over the decades. While the aura of sentimental values adds to this set's fame, it's really the design, engineering quality, innovation, and playability that distinguish 8868 from its peers.

I recently got the chance to purchase a used 8868 from the second-hand market in reasonable condition. It was dusty, some bits were missing, a couple white parts had started to show signs of yellowing, and the box lid had unglued from the base. The set clearly had seen better times and was in need of some loving care (understand - dusting, rinsing, b?rick hunting). One can get copies of the set in way better condition than this, but for the price that I paid for it, I could not complain. A couple days worth of work and the set was back to its former glory. And indeed, what a glory it was - I was shocked how good 8868 looks still in 2015, 23 years after its birth (which in Technic years is a very respectable retirement age).

The very first look at the box sets the stage for a luxurious joyous build experience that is characteristic of the best Technic sets from the 90s. Next, the building table is overtaken by all kinds of wonderful and unique Technic bricks in all shapes and colors. The pneumatics take central position in the symphony, followed by the electrics (yes, the 9V motor looks solid to the bone), surrounded by cogs, wheels, elastics, and all sorts of other goodies. The build gets off to a promising start with the introduction of the rear differentials and holds its excitement to the grand finale when you are ready to press the on button and the pneumatics spring into action to the astonishment of the public...

But wait a second! When I pressed the lever directing the rear superstructure to turn, all I got back was a grinding sound - the thing barely moved. Yikes! A quick analysis of the situation revealed that my loving fiance, who helped with a big part of the build, had left a little surprise (even though I thought that I had keept an eye at what she was doing and corrected her occasional errors early on). The two parallel pistons that rotate the turnable where anchored one stud closer to the rear of the truck than they were supposed to be and the toothed plates were not catching well on the cog in the middle. Luckily, I managed to detach the superstructure from the base and shift the toothed plates one stud closer to the front to compensate for incorrect position of the pistons. Voila - the turntable worked like a charm under the action of the pneumatic forces. This is to illustrate the complexity of the build - one has to be carful to position all the elements precisely and route/connect all of the dozens of hoses that power this beast just right. Get it wrong and you will end up scratching your head. Get it right and you will be treated to the flawless pneumatic spectacle packed in the Claw Rig!

I am enamored with the finished 8868. It looks fantastic with the yellow, white, red, and gray colors perfectly balancing the classy black base color. The shape of the truck is amazingly realistic and awe inspiring. Did I mention, the whole contraption feels rock solid (for a LEGO, that is) thanks to its parallel beams construction. The HOG wheel is super responsive and precise - something we rarely see in the modern Technic models. The engine has been geared up perfectly to the point that the engine fan spins beautifully when the truck is in motion, while the engine makes a very cool sound that is as realistic as it gets with Technic. The compressor, which is in the heart of 8868, works wonderfully with a very real-life like sound as well. It would have been nice if the decorative air storage tanks on the side of the truck were of the real kind, but it's an understandable omission since these were introduced in 1997 (5 years after 8868). Interestingly enough, the pneumatics in the set work wonderfully even without storage tanks, thanks to the numerous flexible pneumatic tubes that can absorb some pressure build up and act as an energy store. In fact, the operation of the rig is delightfully smooth if you work the valves with a fine touch.

The claw rig is one of the most playable Technic models that I have ever touched. The valves are positioned perfectly for two-hands operation and with just a little practice you can make the rig bow to your wishes. The claw boom is very articulated and works great for shifting objects around the radius of the rig. It's super cool too that the rotation of the superstructure is pneumatic, as well as that you have the ability to "park" the claw at the end of the work day by grabbing on the white beam in the rear of the truck.

Do you need any more convincing in the superiority of 8868 (like you didn't know already)? Don't take it from me - go read the other reviews that folks have written about this remarkable set. And if you haven't had the joy of owning one, you are missing on one of the greatest LEGO sets ever (perhaps, even the top Technic of all times). If I were to have to give up all the sets in my collection and could keep just one, 8868 would be my choice. This set is the very epitome of the goodness of Technic - a pinnacle achievement in brick engineering of the highest class!