Pictorial Review: 8462 Tow Truck

[Lost_In_Noise]

8462 Tow Truck was released in 1998, contains 774 pieces, and features a pneumatic tow fork and rotating tow crane with a winch to pull heavy loads.

Brickset reports a retail price of $122 for this set, I paid $80 for mine.

The parts

The interesting parts include several pneumatic elements such as three cylinders, a pump, a switch and of course the two air tanks which allow a more steady airflow.

This link is only seen in this and 8450 The Mission set. The black edition from 8450 fetches an average of 2$ on BrickLink.

The tires are 6 of 70x28s, which sits on silver rims. This combination is seen in two other sets; 8417/8430 Mag Wheel Master and

8428/8432 Turbo Command/Concept Car.

The last rare part is the "Liftarm 1 x 9 Offset Crossover", which only exists in black. It was included in the 8417 and 8432 as well.

All the special parts have sequenced numbers, suggesting they were all introduced with this set.

There are only 10 gears included in this set, so pneumatics are the main feature.

The build

The build starts with the chassis frame, as most studded Technic sets, before a pneumatic cylinder is placed on a free axle.

The rear wheels spin freely, as there is no engine in this truck.

The first cylinder for lifting the fork is placed, before the left side of the chassis is mounted.

The rest of the wheelbases are next. Rear first, then front.

The front steering is made of Steering arm with pins and Perpendicular Axle Connectors.

Rear lights in place. This set uses the same decals as 8479 Barcode Multi-Set

The steering rack is made from axle connectors.

A 8T gear with a 12T DB gear provides input to it.

The second axle for the HOG is added, along with some hoses for the cylinder.

Some more hoses, and air tanks. The hoses links the two air tanks together, so that the total volume is doubled.

The top of the chassis is mostly made of bricks.

This pneumatic switch controls the airflow to the cylinder. Hoses run from both of the air tanks.

The third switch completes the circuit, now we can move on to the front grille.

Next is the gears to turn the The "Wheel Full Rubber Balloon with Axle hole" is used for a knob, the same as 8446. This is not the only thing these sets have in common, I'll show you later on.

Thin liftarms keeps the structure together.

The starting point for all the action of this set: The pneumatic pump. A 8T gear will control the turntable.

The turntable is placed, and a 12L axle locks it in place.

Rear end of the cabin complete.

Seats and steering wheel.The dashboard has some air vents.

The roof completes the cabin.

Some flex axles and tubes improves the exterior look.

The wheels are placed before the rear attachment is made.

First off it's the towing fork.

The 1 x 11 links provides structural support.

Placed on the back of the truck.

Now the crane.

The crane is hinged with thin liftarms, making it very small when retracted.

FInished!

Now let's see it work.

It's very fast when the air tanks are filled.

Even though it appears the fork is supposed to tilt, it only happens because of the way it is attached to the tow arm. When towing a vehicle, it will act as a articulated joint. This way the vehicle in tow won't skid when the tow truck is turning.

I read somewhere that the Turbo Command would fit this tow truck nicely, but as I don't have it, the 8081 will have to do.

It's also able to lift last years 9395.

Comparison

8846

8285

8436

8435

The Verdict

This is a fun set to have, the air tanks really make the set. A big plus is that it's blue, a color not too often used in the Technic line. Its functions and odd color choice remind me of 8446. The build is fairly straightforward, but with some elegant solutions such as the folding crane. This is maybe the coolest looking tow truck.

I wouldn't buy it at the original retail price, but at $80 it's okay for nearly 800 pieces and the two air tanks.

Thanks for reading/watching pics. Any questions or comments, don't be shy.

As always, big pics @ BrickShelf.

Edited October 14, 2012 by Lost_In_Noise

[Lost_In_Noise]

Can anyone tell me why I always jump to the end of the page when pasting something in edit mode? Is it an error with the new forums?

[Tadej]

Cool, this was my first Lego set before my dark ages, i wish i would still have all the pieces to build it.

[zyrex]

Sorry for bumping, but I would just like to thank you for the review. This was the last Lego set I got before my dark ages, so I remember it well. Fortunately I never sold my lego, so I've since rebuilt it, naturally.

Really fun to see this review and remind me yet again about the time.

And also your review of the 8479, next last set I got. Also a gem! :)

[MrNumbskull13]

Thank you for the review, it has inspired me to make a pick up tow truck MOC! :)

[Lost_In_Noise]

You're very welcome.

[technicfan]

What part number is the lights on top?.

[maxxens]

Brickset doesn't work for me right now but I guess it would be something like "4x2 w. Bow"

[paul_delahaye]

http://www.bricklink...1477&colorID=19

Trans-Yellow Brick, Modified 2 x 4 No Studs, Curved Top

Bricklink part 6192

Edited August 8, 2013 by paul_delahaye

[rener]

This one deserves to be compared to 42008. Functionality and size seem pretty much the same. Anyone got pics yet?

[EyesOnly]

Ah the nostalgia this brings. I was never able to buy it when it was released so i'm hoping to run into it at some second hand store or similar. If only because of those airtanks.

[Doc_Brown]

Wow that's a great review! Thanks for sharing last year!

[skriblez]

Very nice review. Need to find me one of these sets :)

[N-4K0]

I like the blue color, but I'm not a fan of sets with mainly studded beams and pieces. I also think the futuristic rims and look of the truck is rather ugly.

I'm considering to get the blue/grey container truck, but I'll probably rather buy the 42008 for tires and use the set to build the container truck.

[Lakop]

I wish I had bought that set. However, I think I might build it in my own way. I will post if and when I do it. Good review by the way and interesting to see it along side the other models. It must be the only set with two air tanks. I only have one. The air tank set up, with a compressor, works very well.

H

[Lost_In_Noise]

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately, I had to let this one go, to make room for the 42009:( A full day of building awaits!

[paul_delahaye]

This one deserves to be compared to 42008. Functionality and size seem pretty much the same. Anyone got pics yet?

Edited August 10, 2013 by paul_delahaye

[skriblez]

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately, I had to let this one go, to make room for the 42009:( A full day of building awaits!

Did you sell it? If so Crazy man :P

[Lost_In_Noise]

I'm selling about half of my total sets here

[rener]

@paul_delahaye: thanks very much. They both look good next to each other, although 8462 has the more impressive forks!

[Carrera124]

When 8462 was released, I thought that it was ugly and had nothing to do with "classic" Lego Technic that I knew.

Last year, I checked the building instructions at Peeron, changed my mind, bought a MISB set and built it

Imho, it's a nice mixture of classic studded technic bricks, some additional studless parts and pneumatic elements.

It still looks a little bit strange to me, but parts, building experience and features were convincing