[REVIEW] 8043 - Excavator

[hoeij]

Shame about some models that don't work as intended. Nobody should be making any alterations, it should work 100% fine for everyone!

Does TLG ever revise a model during its production, anyone know?

Yes, the Emerald Night train has changed. I bought mine the moment it came out. One of the

gears would run off when pulling a long train. I solved this problem by adding a 1x1 technic

brick with 1 hole, this brick prevents the gear from running off.

It turns out that the newer sets actually have this same solution in the instructions.

This train had another problem with the piston mechanism. The first 3-4 hours everything

works great, after that, the friction slightly increases which causes the mechanism to buckle.

Since this mechanism has much fewer moving parts than the excavator, there are a number of

solutions to that problem. Most of these solutions are pure lego, however, one solution

is simply to add some WD40.

I wonder if adding some WD40 in crucial places in the excavator (careful not to spil any!!!)

would also drastically improve functionality. With each gear, you lose a bit of the

energy, but with so many gears that can really add up to a big problem.

A small improvement, added up over a lot of gears, could add up to a big improvement at

the end. Anyone tried some WD-40 or other lubricants?

[Zerobricks]

NEVER USE WD-40!!! It melts bricks. Use a silicon spray.

[Jonas83]

I have just recorded a video of mine to show how poorly it functions. In all the videos of the 8043 i have seen, i believe mine is functioning the worst.

As mentioned before i took great care and time in assembling mine, so i don't believe that i made any mistakes in the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sYqxMd1ehI

Edited August 13, 2010 by Jonas83

[rgbrown]

I have just recorded a video of mine to show you how poorly it functions. In all the videos of the 8043 i have seen, i believe mine is functoning the worst.

As mentioned before i took great care and time in assembling mine, so i don't believe that made any mistakes in the process.

Gee, yours sounds ill ... are you sure your batteries aren't flat? And also, did I hear skipping gears in your video (sounds a bit like popcorn) ? Yours surprises me, because it even struggles with jobs like lowering the boom.

[Countdown]

Gee, yours sounds ill ... are you sure your batteries aren't flat? And also, did I hear skipping gears in your video (sounds a bit like popcorn) ? Yours surprises me, because it even struggles with jobs like lowering the boom.

Mine reacts the same way as Jonas83 on the arm functions but the bucket movement is fine. But my transmission switching mechanism and my carriage functions work flawlessly (tracks and slewing).

I did a little bit investagating on my model and found that if I hold the excavator by the boom (even when it's barely touching the ground) the main boom and dipper functions work perfectly. Even to the point it can raise itself without any trouble. I'm convinced that there's too much load on the lower bearing axle where the idler gears connects to the LAs. The flexing of this axle could create a lot of friction due to the bending. I might try to dissassemble it over the week-end to check it out.

Also that kind of reaction from the M-Motors means that it's close to the stalling point, and it's not very good for the life expectancy of the motor and sucks way more current from the batteries.

-Nick

[hoeij]

Yours doesn't seem to work as well as mine. And I'm using the 8878 rechargeable battery which gives only 7,4 V instead of 9 V.

The PF receiver might not send all of those 9V to the motor. It could be that the motors get the same voltage

regardless of whether you use a 7.4V or a 9V power supply.

[Jonas83]

Just an update:

Today i was contacted by Lego and one of their employees came to my house to pick up my copy of the 8043 Excavator for testing purposes. I only live about 20km from Lego headquarters in Billund.

He was very nice to talk with and they are of course really sorry for the problems their customers are having with the model.

I can tell you that Lego are working very hard to locate the cause to these problems, that some of us are having with the excavator.

Hopefully they can provide a solution to us in the near future when they get it solved. I wish them best of luck.

[JunkstyleGio]

I do hope you got a refund or at least a new set!

Hopefully TLC will come up with a solution soon!

[tomacwhite]

This is amazing, and it must be a more wide spread issue than most of us think. A company wouldn't typically do anything about a handful of users on a forum having a problem, it must be lots of people contacting Lego about the issues.

VERY good news.

[Blakbird]

VERY good news.

Personally, I can't decide if it is good news or not. For years, we AFOLs have been asking (begging) for bigger and more complex sets. Over the past couple of years, LEGO have been delivering with sets like 8258 and 8043, both of which I think are dreams come true. On the other hand, we may be getting to the point where the sets are so complicated and must be built so carefully that they will not work for a significant percentage of the buyers. If this is the case, LEGO may just decide that sets of this complexity are not worth it to produce because they have to deal with so many complaints which effects their image.

I hope I am wrong. I want to keep seeing sets like this in the future, and it's OK with me if they get even more complicated. Anyone who works with complicated technical hobbies knows that things don't go right a lot of the time and a lot of trial and error is involved in getting something that works. I'm sure LEGO did lots of testing and I'm sure they are disappointed that some of their customers are having problems.

Here's hoping there are some simple remedies for the issues of 8043 or at least that most people are not having problems.

[Fyredog]

Personally, I can't decide if it is good news or not. For years, we AFOLs have been asking (begging) for bigger and more complex sets. Over the past couple of years, LEGO have been delivering with sets like 8258 and 8043, both of which I think are dreams come true. On the other hand, we may be getting to the point where the sets are so complicated and must be built so carefully that they will not work for a significant percentage of the buyers. If this is the case, LEGO may just decide that sets of this complexity are not worth it to produce because they have to deal with so many complaints which effects their image.

I hope I am wrong. I want to keep seeing sets like this in the future, and it's OK with me if they get even more complicated. Anyone who works with complicated technical hobbies knows that things don't go right a lot of the time and a lot of trial and error is involved in getting something that works. I'm sure LEGO did lots of testing and I'm sure they are disappointed that some of their customers are having problems.

Here's hoping there are some simple remedies for the issues of 8043 or at least that most people are not having problems.

Cheers to That! I couldnt agree more - I love these complex sets!

[DLuders]

It's good that TLG is testing some of the "troublesome" 8043 sets. I looked at the results of the "8043 Motorized Excavator Trouble-Shooting" poll, and (so far) 3 AFOLs have no problems with their models and 9 do. That's 75% of the people polled. Since we know that SOME of the 8043s out there CAN operate well, I bet that it's a manufacturing QUALITY CONTROL problem with the Linear Actuators and/or Power Functions Medium motors. We'll see....

[JunkstyleGio]

@Blakbird:

I think it IS good news; TLC is listening to its customers. And we will probably get a kind of fix.

Personally I’m still convinced it is a good thing that we get these massive and very complicated models. In my opinion we all should realize that, even when Lego is “just” a toy, that some models, like the 8043 and the 8258, are definitely designed for very experienced builders. So maybe in the future this should be mentioned on the box. Sometime like: “Ultimate Builders Series”

I don’t think that TLC will stop designing sets like the 8043; but I think they should test these models a little more outside the company. I do believe it was tested by many a TLC-employee. But with this kind of testing comes one problem: Company-blindness. (Employees usually look over difficulties and small design flaws because they all know how it’s supposed to work and don’t have a fresh look on the product.)

When a product is tested it should be done by single testers and not in a group under heavy supervision and help.

(Of course they all should sign a Non-Disclosure agreement, but I do believe you, me and many of the AFOL’s gladly would!)

So keep your head up!

Edited August 13, 2010 by JunkstyleGio

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Personally, I can't decide if it is good news or not. For years, we AFOLs have been asking (begging) for bigger and more complex sets. Over the past couple of years, LEGO have been delivering with sets like 8258 and 8043, both of which I think are dreams come true. On the other hand, we may be getting to the point where the sets are so complicated and must be built so carefully that they will not work for a significant percentage of the buyers. If this is the case, LEGO may just decide that sets of this complexity are not worth it to produce because they have to deal with so many complaints which effects their image.

I hope I am wrong. I want to keep seeing sets like this in the future, and it's OK with me if they get even more complicated. Anyone who works with complicated technical hobbies knows that things don't go right a lot of the time and a lot of trial and error is involved in getting something that works. I'm sure LEGO did lots of testing and I'm sure they are disappointed that some of their customers are having problems.

Here's hoping there are some simple remedies for the issues of 8043 or at least that most people are not having problems.

I really agree with this. It would be a real shame if TLG would stop designing the complex sets. These are indeed a dream com true.

[DLuders]

On Lugnet, someone figured out that the PARTS VALUE of the 8043 set is quite good. For a total cost of USD 200, the 8043 Motorized Excavator contains all of these Power Functions items:

8043 Excavator

---------------------------------

4x - M motor ($32)

1x - Battery Box ($7)

4x - Linear Actuator ($60)

2x - IR Receiver ($30)

2x - IR Transmitter ($20)

---TOTAL----------------($149)---

The remaining USD $50 is for the other parts (Technic treads, liftarms, etc.).

[CP5670]

On Lugnet, someone figured out that the PARTS VALUE of the 8043 set is quite good. For a total cost of USD 200, the 8043 Motorized Excavator contains all of these Power Functions items:

8043 Excavator

---------------------------------

4x - M motor ($32)

1x - Battery Box ($7)

4x - Linear Actuator ($60)

2x - IR Receiver ($30)

2x - IR Transmitter ($20)

---TOTAL----------------($149)---

The remaining USD $50 is for the other parts (Technic treads, liftarms, etc.).

I'm not sure about the price of the LAs. That is the price Lego Education charges, but some people have reported that you can call Lego customer service and order them for $6 each from there.

As for the set's value, I think it's quite the contrary. This excavator is arguably the worst value we have had in years in terms of the parts-to-price ratio, at $0.178/piece. For comparison, 8258 is $0.08/piece, 8265 is $0.075/piece and 8275 is $0.108/piece, Of course, you can't go by the piece count only, but these other sets also include LAs, PF elements, etc. and do give some idea of how much those special parts should be worth. As I said earlier, I can't remember such a bad value among any flagship Technic set since 8485, way back in 1995.

Granted, the design of the actual model is top notch, but it needs to be to justify such a high price. The price also makes any flaws in the design harder to excuse.

[Routemaster]

Hi there,

Piece Count isn't all what counts.

With the new Excavator you get alot of big parts.

Okay, I'm a little disappointed to get only M-motors with this set. At least one XL-motor would have been nice.

Just checked bricklink and Peeron: For the new Excavator you only have to pay for 120 black Technic Pins.

Last year's flagship had 360!!! incl. the extra ones.

I still have to wait for the release of the new Technic sets in local stores.

Don't want to buy online.

Maybe it's good to wait this time. Hopefully TLG gets the problems many of you have fixed.

Anyway can't wait to get my hands on this set.

Ralph

[CP5670]

With the new Excavator you get alot of big parts.

Okay, I'm a little disappointed to get only M-motors with this set. At least one XL-motor would have been nice.

Just checked bricklink and Peeron: For the new Excavator you only have to pay for 120 black Technic Pins.

Last year's flagship had 360!!! incl. the extra ones.

8275 is a close comparison with the PF elements and tracks, and it was $150. 8043 has four LAs as well, but $50 more for that with a tradeoff of 260 fewer pieces is not what I call a good value. As for the black pins, even if you don't count those the other sets are still better values. In the case of 8258, it had so many pins since the model itself is much larger. 8043 is a relatively small model compared to the last few flagships.

On the other hand, the 8043 pricing seems to be better in Europe, especially relative to the prices of other Lego sets there. I think someone here had posted a link to a Dutch site selling it for 130 euros.

[JunkstyleGio]

Lowest price here in the Netherlands so far: € 129,95!!

Got mine (of which i'm STILL ever so proud of owning one!!)for €3 more!

So...

Even when you consider it as a partpack: With retail price of The PF parts considerd; you get the rest of the parts for free!!!

What about good value for money?

Edited August 15, 2010 by JunkstyleGio

[Fyredog]

Anyone consider the "fun" factor of building this piece of art? I enjoyed every second - almost want to tear down and build again!

[dr_spock]

Anyone consider the "fun" factor of building this piece of art? I enjoyed every second - almost want to tear down and build again!

Not yet. I haven't acquire the set yet but want to. Should I wait until there is a fix or take my chances?

[DLuders]

@ dr_spock: I would get the set now (while they're available). Any published "fix" (like the 8265) is likely to be a different method of parts attachment, or just additional verbal instructions about balancing the Linear Actuators, attaching a rubber band, etc. Most of the sets are being bought up by eBay speculators and young people who have no idea about any "problems." Once the set is sold out in various countries, the cost to you will only go up.

I have left my 8043 box unopened, only because my son's birthday is not until October. If it were MY birthday gift, I would have built it by now!

[allanp]

I know the solution, i'm sure you know what i'm thinking it is by now

Anywho Blakbird raised an interesting point as regaurds to the complexity of these sets. Now as mentioned by somebody earlier, 75% of poll takers have had problems with this set. When you factor in the 100% of us are fans and not casual customers I really don't think it's complexity was the problem (I hope TLG realises that) as it is not a very challenging build at all. Complex it may be but thanks to the quality of instructions nowadays not at all challenging, not compared to sets like the 8480 space shuttle.

The problems seem to come from this model pushing the capabilities of LA's and m-motors to their limits. Maybe they had an exceptionally good batch of parts when they were testing the model. Now if it were pneu....... you know the rest

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Anyone consider the "fun" factor of building this piece of art? I enjoyed every second - almost want to tear down and build again!

I enjoyed every second of building it twice (building the B-model in between). It's an absolute joy to build. I'm enjoying modifying it even more. I've just removed the gearbox and added 2 motors and a PF receiver to give it complete controll (the boom got an XL-motor). I've transformed the PF-handsets into joysticks using Jason Railton's thumbstick-design. No more switching between driving and digging-functions adding so much to the playability. I hope to publish my mods here soon.

[JunkstyleGio]

@ Jonas83:

Did you get any info yet from TLC?

I know it's only three days.....