I recently got an extra copy of 42009 and 9396 on sale at Toys R Us with the intent to use them for parts. I figured that before I parted them out I may as well build and enjoy the B-models first. I took a few pictures and will present a very brief review. I can hardly hope to improve upon Sariel's excellent video review.

A reach stacker is a topic that has never been tackled before in an official Technic set, but it is something I see regularly at my nearby port. This seems like a natural model for Technic given the intrinsic mechanical functions. I admit I was underwhelmed by the pictures of the reach stacker and truck on the back of the box, perhaps because the styling was a bit sparse. Having now built them though, I can say that this is one of the best alternate models ever. Super fun to use and well designed.

When you open ALL the numbered bags from 42009, you get a pile of parts that is pretty daunting to behold. Some presorting was a necessity. The second image shows how many parts were left over after the build. Nearly all of the beams were used, but a great many gears remain.

The shipping container is not particularly impressive, but the open design was necessary not just because of the limited number of parts available but also to make the container light enough to be lifted by the stacker. The diagonal braces are essential to the box remaining square.

The truck is not very impressive visually, but performs its function well. To start with there is 4 wheel steering actuated by a HOG control.

The only other function is a grapple which locks the container to the truck once in place. The grapple has a hook at either end of the truck, geared together and driven by small linear actuators. Come 3x5 ellipses are used to guide the container into place and lock it laterally.

Obviously the reach stacker itself is the highlight of the build, and I admit that even after watching Sariel's video I didn't fully appreciate just how much went into the design of this and how clever it is. For example, the 3 position gearbox is pretty complex. In this case both the gearbox and battery are actually installed in the boom, not on the carrier. In fact, the battery box is used as a counterweight and the arm is installed with a pivot well ahead of the battery for balance. This was required since the boom can barely lift the container at full extension. I build the model out of order and made the boom first. The functions are:

• Boom lift: accomplished by a pair of large linear actuators mounted upside down (rod end down).
  
• Boom telescope: accomplished by a rack gear running the length of the inner boom arm.
  
• Grapple open/close: accomplished by small linear actuators at either end of the grapple
  
• Grapple rotate: manual function driven by a worm gear through the turntable.
  

The way the grapple works is awesome. Linear actuators at either end drive the end plates using 13L gear racks. 2L axles act as pins to engage the ends of the container. At the sides of the grapple, some 3L beams are used as cranks which rotate inward and guide the container so that it will always be aligned with the pins. The way the pins engage the container is quite similar to how it works in real life.

The base has a couple of other features. The rear wheels steer, the V8 engine moves, and the operator cabin can be elevated using a wheel on the front of the body. Just remember to lower it before you lower the boom or they collide!

Once it is all done, this thing is a lot of fun to operate. I am highly tempted NOT to part it out and instead keep a second copy just for this model. The model has very few weaknesses.

Did I mention it is HUGE? I forgot to photograph it next to anything else, but the reach stacker is well larger than any other forkift made by TLG and even larger than the 8295 telehandler.

In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

You know, I didn't bother building the B model because I thought it looked buttugly. Your short review has made me reconsider, however.

Another nice review. I would love to build this just don't want to disassemble my 42009

I usually build all B models. And this particular one was really fun. I even dare to say, it is more interesting then the crane - in regards to mechanisms. And even if it doesn't look to good, it works pretty well.

I started building the b model a few days ago. I was kind of bored with the crane. So far it is a fun build.

Steve

I meant to build this b-model sooner or later. Looks kind of nice.

@ Blakbird: Why don't you take a picture of it next to some other model?

Maybe the 42025?

I've built this model last week, and it's a very fun model to play with. I might even like it better than the crane.

If i get my hands on a second crane i'm building this! Nice mini review. These are fun to drive in real life to ;)

@ Blakbird: Why don't you take a picture of it next to some other model?

Maybe the 42025?

Because I already took it apart. I needed the parts for the Grove GMK 4600 crane.

I motorised it a while ago: http://www.eurobrick...topic=92747&hl=

That was surprisingly easy, except for load rotation which needed a second motor input at the end of the boom. So I "had to" buy more parts :)

Edited July 10, 201410 yr by Moz

Nice mini review. I rarely build B-models, but you got me enthusiastic to build this one

Looks like it has some great features!

I just finished building this, however I ran into a problem. I probably did something wrong, but I am unable to mount the double wheels on the rear axles.

There is just not enough length. I can clearly see on the few pictures that are floating around that it should be possible but I only have 2mm of axle left when fitting the first wheel. Anyone else have this problem?

Any pictures?

Edited July 25, 201410 yr by JunkstyleGio

BTW the double wheel should be fitted on the front non steered axle... Rember to fit the wheels (ab<=>ba) the correct way

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Edited July 25, 201410 yr by JunkstyleGio

I build the B-model on my holiday, and it's an impressive model.

I like the functionality of it, and the fact that it contains two vehicles.

It's really original as B-model.

I already played more with it than with the A-model.

Another thing that caught my eye was the huge amount of gears you have left after building the B-model, which shows that this is also a really great parts-pack.

Btw Blackbird, your pictures are not working for me.

Edited July 25, 201410 yr by captainmib

BTW the double wheel should be fitted on the front non steered axle... Rember to fit the wheels (ab<=>ba) the correct way

.

For some reason, probably fatigue because I built this at night, I completely overlooked the fact that they should be on the front axles......... Silly me, I checked it multiple times . Thanks for helping out!

Btw Blackbird, your pictures are not working for me.

Bricksafe is down. So no pictures from Blakbird until the site is back up