8288 Crawler Crane

[S.I]

I just finished dismantling them, two are dusty, one is really dusty and stinks, after I finish washing them I cant wait to build each model once. I wasn't planning on getting three but this way I should have two complete ones and a spare set of wheels. If you find someone willing to ship to the US you could try buying one here, they almost always sell for under 100 euros, most of them under 70.

ok the prices in the US are pretty crazy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Technic-8285-Tow-Truck-Pneumatic-RARE-New-Sealed-/290675870667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ada1cbcb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Lego-Technic-Model-TOW-TRUCK-Set-8285-SHIPS-WORLDWIDE-New-/280836589847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41632a4917

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Technic-8285-Tow-Truck-Pneumatic-RARE-New-MISB-/300544098513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f9d300d1

Edited March 26, 2012 by S.I

[DarkShadow73]

@Blakbird - I agree, it really isn't that special in terms of the set itself, for a $50 set to skyrocket in price is kind of odd, although Technic really does lack in crawler cranes, they make a lot of wheeled cranes, my quirk with the 8288, and also the 8053 is no hook, just a jib, which is kind of useless mostly. On my 8288 I replaced the jib with a black metal hook and it looked a lot nicer, same with the 8053, but one thing I noticed on the 8053 is that you really need to motorize it like most sets with LA's to raise heavy booms or extending a boom(8295 and 8265 come to mind), all that manual winding is a chore and kind of detracts from the set. I motorized my 8053 with PF elements and took off the jib and put a hook on it, but its almost too light in weight, the string keeps getting wound off the reel and gets tangled on either side of the reel, and there is no easy way to untangle and rewind it manually without tearing half the superstructure apart. I also bought the yellow City crawler crane(can't recall the set no, but it was released in the last couple years). Put a hook on that one, no issues with reeling in the string, but with most 'block' sets parts easily fall off unlike Technic where most everything is pinned tightly together.

I didn't realize those had become so expensive. I bought 2 of them back when they first came out for $50 each. It is an excellent set, but it is certainly nothing special enough to warrant the outrageous prices. Some of the white parts are pretty rare to it could be hard to put one together from scratch. If you make it yellow, it should be easy. The #2 dark bluish gray angle connectors are also incredibly rare, but there is no reason the carrier couldn't be black.

@mostlytechnic - I am always a bit leery about used sets as opposed to new, sealed sets, you never know for sure what you're getting, or whether a piece or two are missing, especially on eBay, I've bought a few through Bricklink used and the sellers there are more reputable in my estimation. You are right in most of Europe Technic is much more popular than in the US, thus the lack of stores that carry a good selection, most independents have gone under, TRU has the market, but they are so up and down, one day they might a bunch of them, another day shelf tags are gone and so is the product. Then another day one or two sets might come back. Case in point, the 8070 Supercar, it showed up briefly at TRU last spring, then was gone, only to come back recently, odd...

Tecnhic prices in Germany do not relate to the rest of the world, because it's so much more popular there. There's just more sets available in the used market, so the prices don't increase. In fact, I've done well in the past importing sets from Germany and selling them here in the US for a nice profit.

Here in the US, I just did a completed search on ebay. Used sets sell regularly for around $250-300, and sealed sets are $500 and up. Looks like around 15 complete sets sold in Feb/Mar.

Last night I checked Amazon and they had 2 8421's listed, one was if I recall $999.00, the other one was $1,125.00 (ridiculous, in my estimation, yes) -- just shows the markup, but am betting it will take a long time, if ever, unless a price reduction or somebody very well off to buy something that MSRP'ed at $149.99 back in 2005...

Edited March 26, 2012 by TechnicFreak

[skylinedan]

I just watched a 8421 miss the reserve, last bid was 215.00 on Ebay. There was one on there a couple weeks ago for 265.00 buy it now, I just about bought it, but changed my mind. I picked up a set on instructions for less than 20 bucks, got those today. I looked the invintory over and see what I dont have, been looking on BL. I figure about 10 bucks and I,ll have evrything I need to build it. I have way to much stuff, LOL. Just dont have some of the odd things it takes to build the more interesting sets is all. I need to pick up a set of instructions for the 8053, I had one, but sold it. I,ve got all the stuff for it too.

Dan

[DarkShadow73]

Told ya S.I - we get crapped on by eBay, Amazon and BL(though their prices are a bit more reasonable) as far as the really old sets. Profiteering is king in the US. Sure I plan on doing it too when I open up an Amazon storefront and my BL store again, but I'll keep it at a reasonable level. I sold a brand new in-box 8285 Tow Truck last summer for $275, included shipping, to a guy in California. Didn't realize the shipping would be so high to send, but a deal is a deal and I held up my end. Sure I made a bit of profit on it, but didn't gouge.

I just finished dismantling them, two are dusty, one is really dusty and stinks, after I finish washing them I cant wait to build each model once. I wasn't planning on getting three but this way I should have two complete ones and a spare set of wheels. If you find someone willing to ship to the US you could try buying one here, they almost always sell for under 100 euros, most of them under 70.

ok the prices in the US are pretty crazy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Technic-8285-Tow-Truck-Pneumatic-RARE-New-Sealed-/290675870667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ada1cbcb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Lego-Technic-Model-TOW-TRUCK-Set-8285-SHIPS-WORLDWIDE-New-/280836589847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41632a4917

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Technic-8285-Tow-Truck-Pneumatic-RARE-New-MISB-/300544098513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f9d300d1

[skylinedan]

I,m not out to rip people off either, since I found out about BL, I,ve been looking on there more than ebay. The thing I like is I can look up a set and see what parts I dont have and then see who does n for how much. I only look at US sellers, just because shipping is gonnna be a whole lot cheaper. Its gonna be interesting to see what a 8043 goes for in a few years after its pulled off their site, the shelves are bare at TRU. I picked up the older green n black farm tractor for less that 60.00 on ebay a couple years ago now, and I see some guys trying to get 200. Its a good example of a small set that doesnt do a whole lot.

Dan

[nychase]

I was away on vacation so I missed this very relevant thread.

I think that Technic Freak and I have quite a bit in common.

I noticed the spike in 8288 prices around a month or two ago and actually decided to "re-part" 2 of them out of some of my stock and then buying what else was needed. I already had the links (I think I have 2k) so that was a huge chunk to not worry about. But with instructions and all I ended up paying 80 bucks to build two of them. A huge part of that being possible was that both the 31 and 41 strings were re-released this year which means prices were falling. Now, am I going to wisely sell them, take my profit and run? No...I just can't bring myself to do it.

Funny story though, 8288 was one of the first sets I bought after my dark-ages so I bought a MISB (I didn't know any better) for 110 off BL. I never opened it because before I even received it I had found one on Craigslist for 20 bucks (complete with instructions). Needless to say, the MISB one is worth quite a bit (especially after I noticed a few (mentioned) on ebay go for 800's), and the used one is now worth 200 or more.

Just crazy prices.

Then again, just ask how many 8466's I have ;). Never paid over 100 for any of them. And you could NEVER re-part those.

[sama]

How tall would the b-model of 8288 be? This set seems pretty amazing but my budget doesn't agree with the price. Actually, it doesn't agree with any price of any set!

[dr_spock]

How tall would the b-model of 8288 be? This set seems pretty amazing but my budget doesn't agree with the price. Actually, it doesn't agree with any price of any set!

Around 85 centimeters or 33.5 inches.

[skylinedan]

I built the first one, but never the B model. For 50 bucks back when it was new and in the stores I would say it was worth it, but not today at the prices I,ve seen people trying to get for one. 899.00 is a bit too much for me even if I had that kind of money to throw at it. Granted thats in a sealed box, the used ones seem to go for a couple hundred.

Dan

[technicfan]

I have recently brought one off bricklink from Belgium MSIB to New Zealand was about $300 euros, it was the cheapest new one on bricklink. Will be building it soon. But the euro to nz dollar is nearly twice the price so I wont be buying anything from those places anymore, stick to somewhere closer. I have heard alot of people saying that it needs more boat weights in the back is this true?, might have to buy me some more weights. Has anyone got a photo with new tracks on one?, might end up changing to new tracks aswell.

[Dannnohhh]

My turn to finally chime in as I also relate to you guys. 8288 was my 3rd set coming out of the dark ages, and less then a week after building my first two new sets, the Enzo and the 8421, I had to buy another Technic set and the 8288 was CHEAP in comparison! So cheap that I eventually bought 9 8288's on sale and on BL to stock up on studless parts. Wish I knew how much just opening those boxes would cost me

While the current 8288 prices discussed are absolutely exorbitant, I too am equally surprised at the current 8421 prices, especially remembering how much less then MSRP they ran for on BL when still in production. Future demand was really hard to predict on that one.

[nychase]

My turn to finally chime in as I also relate to you guys. 8288 was my 3rd set coming out of the dark ages, and less then a week after building my first two new sets, the Enzo and the 8421, I had to buy another Technic set and the 8288 was CHEAP in comparison! So cheap that I eventually bought 9 8288's on sale and on BL to stock up on studless parts. Wish I knew how much just opening those boxes would cost me

Dannnohhh...

Sounds like you have alot of experience with with this crane. Care to share any pictures of a modified version thats twice as tall with the members???

For the record, quite a few of the parts I mentioned needing to rebuild those two cranes came from ^^^ that ^^^ guy.

Luckily, hes a good guy!

I also stocked up on boat weights for the very same reason as recommended to me by Dannnohhh.

[Dannnohhh]

Dannnohhh...

Sounds like you have alot of experience with with this crane. Care to share any pictures of a modified version thats twice as tall with the members???

For the record, quite a few of the parts I mentioned needing to rebuild those two cranes came from ^^^ that ^^^ guy.

Luckily, hes a good guy!

I also stocked up on boat weights for the very same reason as recommended to me by Dannnohhh.

LOL that being my first MOD out of the dark ages, I'm not worthy of sharing, especially the base which has been on the project list ever since the new tread links were leaked, uhmm 5 years ago now?

I must defer to more capable builders who motivate me to tear down and start over, here's a good one that you guys have likely already seen: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=483890

[technicfan]

Does anyone know what you call the new tracks on bricklink?, can't seem to find them.

[PaulBaldowski]

8288 is an expensive set these days but owning it I would have to say its a fantastic set... I'd love a second one!

I'd love a first! Looks like an impressive set. The mechanics behind these Technic sets really sets it apart from anything else. Filled with holes as it is, I often find these models far more impressive than the non-Technics sets, no matter how impressive their subject matter might be.

[DLuders]

Does anyone know what you call the new tracks on bricklink?, can't seem to find them.

@ technicfan: Your question is off-topic, but you are probably looking for the 57518 "Technic, Link Tread Wide with Two Pin Holes". TRAINS run on "tracks" -- bulldozers and tanks run on TREADS.

Edited April 2, 2012 by DLuders

[jorgeopesi]

I've always loved the heavy machinery and after reading this post I decided to learn more about cranes because I have no idea of ​​pulleys, counterweights or systems. The first thing I do is build the 8288, does anyone know of more cranes with instructions or any site with good basic information on how they work? thanks guys.

[gti180]

after seeing this thread I dug mine out 8288 crane sadly I've lost its box. Really enjoyed building it again. The price on ebay doesn't justify this model - DON'T LET THE SELLER RIP YOU OFF! look for the instructions on line instead.

[skylinedan]

I hear ya, I see them on there for buy it now at 999.99, and can only laugh. I bought one on ebay for around 145.00 used a while back and sold it about a month later for close to 160.00. I think I said earlier that if I bought one for that price and got it home, put it together. I,d be pissed off. I,ve god all the stuff to build one now, so all I need it instructions like you said.

dan

[nychase]

I've always loved the heavy machinery and after reading this post I decided to learn more about cranes because I have no idea of ​​pulleys, counterweights or systems. The first thing I do is build the 8288, does anyone know of more cranes with instructions or any site with good basic information on how they work? thanks guys.

You may find Jennifer Clarkes information from her Demag AC50 quite helpful. JC Baldwin Crane

Also, Thomas Avery has built a few cranes in his day Thomas Avery Models

And I don't remember how I found this but for what its worth this also has usefull information David Wegmuller

Hope this helps!

[jorgeopesi]

You may find Jennifer Clarkes information from her Demag AC50 quite helpful. JC Baldwin Crane

Also, Thomas Avery has built a few cranes in his day Thomas Avery Models

And I don't remember how I found this but for what its worth this also has usefull information David Wegmuller

Hope this helps!

Thanks nychase, sure all this information will help me.

[DarkShadow73]

Its a big crane when assembling the 'b' model, and the nice part is if you have regular crane already built, the instructions lead you through the modification without having to disassemble the whole thing, just a matter of removing some of the portions and reconnecting them, I took of the jib and put on a black metal hook, more realistic I think anyway. The tower crane version is quite tall especially if you raise it up the whole way, never measured it and have disassembled right now, this thread is urging me to rebuild the tower crane version, and although I am bit undecided which version is better, I'm leaning towards the tower crane, amazing how long this thread has gotten, maybe that is why the huge price tag on this set nowadays...I believe I commented early in the topic that it would be really cool if the TLG produced an RC crane of this scale, but in yellow/black color scheme...just for the record it has exploded in price and unfortunately I left my assembled one too much in the sun and it faded some of the white pieces used for the booms, and I found a fellow Bricklinker that sold me one for $400 in December, yeah it stung money wise, but I wanted a new one MISB, luckily he lived in my city so it saved me on shipping...

How tall would the b-model of 8288 be? This set seems pretty amazing but my budget doesn't agree with the price. Actually, it doesn't agree with any price of any set!

Edited April 10, 2012 by TechnicFreak

[PlaneCrazy]

Almost have all the bits for the crane.

Just cannot bring myself to pay approx $9.00 each on brick link for qty two 5m lengths of string (x77).

Anyone know of an alternative source?

Jamie

[Dannnohhh]

Almost have all the bits for the crane.

Just cannot bring myself to pay approx $9.00 each on brick link for qty two 5m lengths of string (x77).

Anyone know of an alternative source?

Jamie

I'd suggest using the shorter 2M length string; I think thats still in production but have not searched for it myself. Tying them together would work if needed.

I've wanted to find an alternative long crane string/cord for some time, for larger crane MOCs, but have yet to find anything. Tried various fishing lines but the suitable ones are even more costly. That said if anyone knows of a non-Lego string thats good for cranes please share!

[dr_spock]

I'd suggest using the shorter 2M length string; I think thats still in production but have not searched for it myself. Tying them together would work if needed.

I've wanted to find an alternative long crane string/cord for some time, for larger crane MOCs, but have yet to find anything. Tried various fishing lines but the suitable ones are even more costly. That said if anyone knows of a non-Lego string thats good for cranes please share!

Maybe kite string. I haven't been able to find it in black. I tried some black crotchet string. It seems to work ok.