Three new LEGO Technic sets were released at the beginning of the month, and they are definitely something to talk about. The enormous #42055 LEGO Technic Bucket Wheel Excavator is the largest LEGO Technic set ever released, the #42054 LEGO Technic CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC is considered one of the best looking LEGO Technic sets in recent history, and the #42053 LEGO Technic Volvo EW160E comes with some really neat functions. So let’s take a look at these very impressive sets in more detail. 🙂
➡ #42053 LEGO TECHNIC VOLVO EW160E: After the very successful #42030 LEGO Technic Volvo L350F Wheel Loader, it makes sense for LEGO to continue recreating some of the most iconic heavy equipment made by Volvo. The black and yellow color-scheme is very pleasing, and the vehicles look awesome. The #42053 LEGO Technic Volvo EW160E is not motorized, although Power Functions can be added. There are a lot of interesting hand-operated moving features however, that doesn’t really need Power Functions anyway. This includes the expandable boom, working bucket, height-adjustable cab, rotating superstructure, rear-controlled front steering, working front blade, and expendable outriggers. (You can see all the working functions in the video-review by Sariel.) The set is a nice addition to the LEGO Technic Volvo collection.
Here is the official description of the set: Operate the powerful Volvo EW160E! Enjoy a rewarding building experience with this awesome 2-in-1 LEGO Technic model. Developed in partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment, this meticulously detailed replica of the Volvo EW160E, with its classic yellow and black color scheme, has all the features of the real-life wheeled excavator. Operate the versatile pneumatic boom and grabbing bucket, rotate the massive superstructure and elevate the cab for optimal visibility. If you need extra stability, extend and secure the outriggers, lower the front blade and lift the entire structure into the air! The authenticity of this model is without bounds, right down to the detailed cab with seat, armrests, sun visor and adjustable mirrors. Upgrade with the #8293 LEGO Power Functions motor set (not supplied) and you have a fully motorized boom and working lights! When you feel like another building challenge, rebuild it into the heavy-duty Volvo L30G compact material handler. Volvo EW160E with boom and outriggers retracted measures over 6” (17cm) high, 9” (25cm) long and 4” (12cm) wide, and over 11” (29cm) high, 18” (47cm) long and 7” (18cm) wide with boom and outriggers extended. Volvo L30G with bucket lowered measures over 6” (17cm) high, 13” (34cm) long and 5” (13cm) wide, and over 10” (26cm) high with bucket raised. 1166 pieces. Price: $119.99 – BUY HERE
➡ #42054 LEGO TECHNIC CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC: What really stands out with this vehicle is the color-scheme; the lime-green, red, and white combination really pops and makes this an impressive display-piece. But there is more. The model is also motorized the raise and turn the cab and to operate the crane, and there are a number of hand-operated features as well. Unfortunately the model can’t pick up any heavier weight (not even a banana), as you can see in the video-review below, and the alternate model is just a rebuild of the attachment, but it is still a very cool looking set.
Here is the official description of the set: Harness the awesome power of the CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC! Experience the ultimate in farming technology with this 2-in-1 LEGO Technic reproduction of the high-powered CLAAS XERION tractor. This meticulously detailed replica comes with the trademarked green, gray and red color scheme and an array of authentic features and functions. Turn on the included Power Functions motor and you can raise the cab and turn it through 180°, operate the versatile crane or extend the outriggers. The vehicle’s front-wheel, 4-wheel and crab steering provide ultimate maneuverability with the huge tractor tires ensuring optimal grip for immense pulling power on all types of terrain. Rebuild the tractor’s crane to create a CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC with Silage Plow! CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC with crane arm lowered measures over 11” (30cm) high, 24” (61cm) long and 7” (18cm) wide, and over 14” (37cm) high with crane arm raised. 1977 pieces. Price: $179.99 – BUY HERE
➡ #42055 LEGO TECHNIC BUCKET WHEEL EXCAVATOR: This juggernaut is the most talked about LEGO Technic set since it was revealed at the toy fairs earlier this year. It is the largest LEGO Technic set every released, and it is definitely monstrous! While it doesn’t really replicate any specific real-life mining equipment, I don’t think that’s a problem, and personally I love the look. What is a problem however is that the bucket wheel has trouble picking up stuff except from very specific angles. Also, while I do get that such large equipment doesn’t move around very fast in real life, the LEGO model with only one motor is painfully slow. In the video-review by Sariel you can see it in action. I still think that this model is extremely impressive, and perhaps with a bit of tweaking could be made even better. I also really like the look of the alternate model, which is a clever sorting-machine that can separate 1×1 elements from 2×2 elements, and looks like a mobile processing plant. Instructions can be downloaded from the LEGO Technic website.
Here is the official description of the set: Experience the huge Bucket Wheel Excavator! Enjoy building and operating this massive 2-in-1 Bucket Wheel Excavator, the largest LEGO Technic set to date! This awesome, meticulously detailed reproduction of a real-life mining excavator comes with a cool dark-blue and yellow color scheme and an array of authentic features and functions, including hand-railed walkways, huge tracks and a detailed cab. Switch on the included Power Functions motor and you can activate the conveyor belts, rotate the massive superstructure and maneuver the colossal machine into position. Then activate the boom to lower the gigantic, digging bucket wheel and convey the mined material to the waiting mine truck. When you feel like another building challenge, rebuild it into a Mobile Aggregate Processing Plant. Bucket Wheel Excavator measures over 16” (41cm) high, 28” (72cm) long and 11” (29cm) wide. Mobile Aggregate Processing Plant with boom retracted measures over 8” (21cm) high, 34” (88cm) long and 8” (21cm) wide, and over 12” (33cm) high with boom extended. Mine Truck measures over 3” (10cm) high, 7” (19cm) long and 3” (10cm) wide. 3929 pieces. Price: $279.99 – BUY HERE
From the three sets I like the LEGO Technic Bucket Wheel Excavator the most. It doesn’t just provide two great models, but also plenty of very useful parts to build your own monster machines. And the other two sets are faithful replicas of real-life equipment and are also excellent. I think LEGO Technic fans would be happy with any of them. They are listed under the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like the new LEGO Technic sets? Do you have a favorite? Are you planning to get any of them? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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