LEGO quietly added a new set to the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop without any funfair or announcement. This is surprising, as the #42131 LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer is the second largest LEGO Technic set ever released after the #42100 LEGO Technic Liebherr R9800 Excavator. So, let’s take a look at the new behemoth!
Just to compare, the #42100 LEGO Technic Liebherr R9800 Excavator comes with 4,108 pieces for the price of $449.99. It measures over 15″ (39cm) high, 25″ (65cm) long, and 10″ (27cm) wide, and includes 3 XL Motors, 4 L Motors and 2 Bluetooth-controlled Smart Hubs. The #42131 LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer comes with 3,854 pieces and is also priced $449.99. It measures over 10″ (26 cm) high, 22″ (57 cm) long, and 14.5″ (37 cm) wide, and includes 2 #15 Motors, 2 L motors and 1 Bluetooth-controlled Smart Hub. The piece-count and overall size are comparable, but the Bulldozer has less Powered Up components, which makes it even more expensive than the Excavator.
Here is the official description of the set: Celebrate a hero of the construction world as you build a replica version of the biggest Cat dozer with the #42131 LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer kit. This large set lets adults enjoy quality ‘me time’ focusing on their passion. Just like the real Cat bulldozer, this model is built in modular sections. LEGO fans will love the new-for-October-2021 LEGO element – a large track that can be tightened and loosened. And the build is just the start! With many authentic features and functions packed into this model, there’s lots to discover. Requires 6 x AA batteries (not included).
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BULLDOZER MODEL – Use the CONTROL+ app to operate and explore this heavy-duty machine. Use the app to drive and steer. The app delivers realistic movement as you raise, lower and tilt the blade or raise and lower the ripper and ladder.
EXPLORE ENGINEERING – LEGO Technic buildable models feature realistic movement and mechanisms that let LEGO builders explore engineering concepts in an approachable and realistic way.
In the video below, LEGO Technic expert, Balazs from RacingBrick will share with you his initial thoughts on the set, with a full review following in the near future.
The #42131 LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer is going to be available starting October 1st. It is already listed at the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like this new LEGO Technic App-Controlled set? Which one is your favorite large LEGO Technic set? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!
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The yellow threads look a little strange, but it is how some of the real ones are done too. Awesome set, but too expensive for me.
Yellow threads might look cool if you’d do a Blacktron Moc or something similar.
And I guess it’s based on a real-life model, but yellow Technic vehicles are so common, I find it hard to muster any real interest…
I have the same issue with this set. Yellow and black are so common amongst Technic sets. I can’t get over the feeling that this is boring and we have seen it a million times before. I know it’s not their fault, as these are the colors for the real vehicle. But I would have to see it in real life to muster up any real enthusiasm.
They could have made a non-licensed bulldozer and make it any color they want. It would have been probably cheaper too.
Looks great! I’d like to have one in my collection but too expensive for me.
My favorite remains the Bucket Wheel Excavator. It was big, it had power functions, it had great colors, and it was non-licensed. I’m not convinced about these app controlled sets. What happens when the app is no longer supported? We sorely need a physical remote that works with Technic sets.
I never switched over to powered up because of this. Power functions will work as long as standard batteries are available. I have no faith that powered up will be available with Lego’s track record of supporting apps.
It’s cool, but my phone doesn’t like the Control+ app. I had to delete it.
I’ve been hoping for a new Technic bulldozer set for a year or so, seeing as the last one was released in 2014.
However, I’m not very impressed by this set yet. Although it is huge and expensive (which already means I can’t get it), it compares poorly to the real Cat D11. The black rigging on the top is bulky and looks cluttered, making the cab hard to discern from most angles. The yellow tracks are fine, I guess, but then why aren’t the edges of the blade also yellow? The real D11 shown on the back of the box has both blade and tracks painted yellow; they change color when the paint wears off. Since the blade edges are black, the tracks should have been black or dark grey to match. I could nitpick more (the bodywork is inaccurate in places, for example), but overall this set seems to me like a rather poor rendition of the real bulldozer. They could have simply left off the CAT stickers and made it unlicensed.
All that said, those issues are purely cosmetic; I care far more about the functions in Technic sets (be they app-controlled or not) and I look forward to seeing how well those perform.
BTW, I note that the bottom-left picture on the back of the box shows a preliminary model, with the 5-stud wide tracks and a different blade-lifting mechanism. Kinda odd.
Hm… you’re right about the image at the back of the box. That’s interesting. Perhaps they accidentally used a preliminary model on the box image? Or perhaps it’s not the image that will be actually on the box. We will see. I’m looking forward to Balazs and Sariel’s full reviews.
Everything is AWESOME!
Great post! I love how technology and creativity come together in this set. It’s amazing to see how far LEGO has come with their kits. I can’t wait to build and control this bulldozer using the app Thanks for sharing! 😃👷♂️🚧
Wow, this LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer looks awesome! I love how LEGO keeps pushing the boundaries of what you can build with their sets. The fact that it’s app-controlled adds a whole new level of playability. I can’t wait to get my hands on one and see what it can do. LEGO Technic always delivers on fun and functionality! 💪🏗️👷♂️
I am absolutely thrilled with the LEGO Technic App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer! This marvel of engineering and design has taken my LEGO building experience to a whole new level. The attention to detail is simply outstanding, capturing the essence of the real Cat D11 Bulldozer with remarkable precision.