Ngoc Nguyen

I built the complete B-model yesterday and it let me down more: - The motor speed is reduced to 9/16, by using 2 sets of a 12-tooth gear and a 20-tooth gear. The result is that the pump in the B-model pumps more slowly than that in the A model, which means the pneumatic cyclinders also operate more slowly. - The crane can not be rotated manually since its gear is locked by a worm (http://brickset.com/sets/containing-part-4211510). For me, sometimes I don't feel like turning on the battery box, so this to me is a minus. Besides, because the motor speed is reduced, the crane rotates very slowly too, too slowly to the point of impatience. - The function of rotating the basket isn't very fun to play with, unlike the function of clamshell buckets. - The front part of the trailer looks odd. The motor is located there, and around it are some spaces. It feels like a hole in the front part. The only redeeming feature for me is perhaps the creative outriggers.

8484 Ultimate Building Lightning McQueen - 29.99$ 8677 Ultimate Build Mater - 29.99$ 8678 Ultimate Build Franchesco - 29.99$ So much for "ultimate".

It wouldn't make sense for Lego to obtain license for a model only to produce it in small or medium size. Since 2016 isn't going to be "normal" like previous ones, we may end up having 4 big sets: Volvo, Xerion, bucket wheel, car.

I just thought that, since this year Lego introduced 2 non-flagship licensed set, which can be considered a break from pattern, maybe the IP car can turn out to be not RC? If you would like to say that the set with largest number is the flagship, just 2 years ago (2013) the Mobile Crane 42009 is not the set with the largest number that year. Technic sets in 2013 in with 42011.

Just got my hands on the set yesterday. Words are not enough to describe how amazing this set is. While building this set, I made two mistakes because of assumption: - I used 2 stop bush pins on both side while building the first module, because I assumed the model is symmetric. It turned out only one side used a bush pin to attach the exhaust pipe. The other side just used a 2-stud black pin. - I used a 4 axle to connect the bevel gear in the rear chassis. It turned out that it used a 4 axle with stop. Then I took it apart partially just to build the small truck of the B model. I have to say I was quite disappointed because it didn't look good as I thought. The cabin is huge, while the B model truck chassis is short. That makes the B model truck looks really disproportionate. The A model has the big dump bed and crane behind so these two balance out the huge cabin. Furthermore, since the B model truck doesn't have anything behind it when not connected, it tends to lean forward because of the heavy cabin & battery box. I was so disappointed that I didn't build the trailer, but took apart the truck and rebuilt the A model.

Considering that the licensed Volvo and Xerion already have the brand in the set names, I think it's safe to say that the Ultimate IP car is not a licensed model. 2016 is getting more absurd: the supposed flagship is not a licensed model, while the non-flagship sets are... I wouldn't be surprised if the Volvo and Xerion boxes even have flaps.

From my observation the number of motorized functions in most case is an even number. Assume that the pump is always a switch function, if the cabin is manual then the outriggers are likely to be manual also. That leaves only 2 motorized functions: turntable & pump. On another note, upon closer examination I saw that the bucket can even rotate around the arm. So maybe a mini-turntable there with another cylinder (similar to the crane in 42043 B model), raising the number of pneumatic functions to 5! And to those who still doubt there is no Volvo next year, you can visit http://shop.lego.com...o-EW160E-42053. The website says "Product Not Available", which means it is a real Lego product. If it is not, the website will say "Page Not Found" instead.

Let's imagine this Volvo EW160 has the complexity of a flagship. My take: Manual: HOG steering. Motorized functions: - Outriggers front and back move simultaneously, capable of lifting the vehicle. - Turntable - Lifting the cabin - Pump Pneumatics: 5 cylinders for 4 arm joints, see picture. If this thing turns out to be a mere 1H set, I guess cabin lifting and outrigger deploying will be degraded to manual functions. Or maybe no cabin lifting at all. The excavator arm is the star of this set, so it's unlikely TLG will make any compromise on it.

I'd love it if the Volvo Wheel Excavator turns out to be 2017 flagship. It's another chance to introduce pneumatics. Xerion can be 2018 RC flagship. The real thing can even do this! This Volvo truly deserves to be a year's flagship not just a 1H set.

At this point only the Volvo and the Xerion are appealing to me. I'm not really a huge fan of cars. As for the Volvo, how do you guys think the steering function will be handled? I think it can either, be at the end of the lower base like that in the 42009, or can go through the turntable and end up as a knob above the cabin. I'm curious to see. In case it goes through the turntable: From the real model I guess the front outrigger can move up and down. If this outrigger is motorized or handled with pneumatics, a pump or an axle will have to go through the turn table. I'm also curious to see how TLG designs this and combine it with the steering. Perhaps they can do the 2-axle transmission like that in the 8043 or 8258. Or maybe they can design the outrigger to be moved manually.

Maybe the set with largest number may not be the flagship, as witnessed in the 42009. 42009 is not the largest number in those 2013 Technic sets.

Maybe the Volvo, Claas and the IP Car are all flagships? Then 2017 and 2018 will have no flagships.

I don't know who does, but I sure don't wish for a RC supercar *looking at the 8070*.

How about adding the function of self-raising, like in this video? XD

If that Ultimate IP Car turns out to be the flagship and RC-ed, at the moment I can't see how it will be different from the Super Car 8070. I think all the RC functions a car can have are those 6: steer, drive, and the 4 functions of the 8070. So it doesn't seem to be much of a difference. Well unless there are some more RC functions for a car that I haven't thought of yet.

Anybody has any idea why trucks like this need 4 steering front wheels instead of 2?

I'm really looking forward to see how the bucket wheel excavator looks like, because IMHO in real life it isn't very aesthetically appealing (if not outright ugly).

A reach stacker with the unimog/volvo tires wouldn't be realistic in terms of size, I think, since in real life reach stackers don't have the height of a L350F.

But the rear wheels don't have them?

Why do the two front wheels have some sort of disks inside them, in both the Lego model and in the real truck?

According to the pattern this year's flagship is a RC model. I would want a RC Reach Stacker (like the 42009 B-model) with 6 functions: driving, steering, lifting the boom, extending the boom, rotating the grabber, opening / closing the grabber. The model can contain 4 motors, 1 of which serves as the gear shift like in the 8043. In the lower mode, the 3 motors drive, steer, and lift the boom. In the upper mode, the 3 motors extend the boom, rotate the grabber, open/close the grabber. The B-model can be an RC forklift or snow groomer with 4 functions.

Any idea why the model use the cardan ball and cardan cup in the axle that links the rear wheels with the inline engines instead of the universal joint? I can't see any difference since they both appear to do the same thing.

Then shouldn't the yellow ones be placed in the rear wheels instead of front wheels? Since the rear wheels are supposed to carry heavy loads from the tipping body.

What are the differences between the yellow suspension and the grey suspension?

I'm planning on motorizing the small truck in the B-model with one motor for driving and one motor for steering. Any idea on where to put them?