TECHNIC 42042 Crawler Crane

Bar none this is a five star set. I'm relatively new to Lego Technic sets and am an AFOL (adult fan of Lego) but only Technic sets. Unless you already have a passion for construction vehicles, this set may not be on your radar when there are other cars and "cooler" vehicles out there. I didn't notice it until after buying about 20 other sets first (almost all non-construction). So if I sound like you and your interests, let me tell you that you MUST buy this set. It's a LOT cooler than you think. The playability factor, functions that are incorporated using just one motor, color and ability to modify/improve it is why this set exceeded my expectations by miles. If you don't believe me, head over to Youtube and search for: Lego 42042 speed build. My favorite video is by Sariel and it'll give you a visual of why this set is outstanding. Buy it NOW because if you don't, you'll seriously be missing out. Added on 12/17/2016: New reasons to buy it: This is directed to the parents considering it for a gift for a pre-teen/teen or other adult potential purchasers... Eurobricks.com: this site has a post called "C-Model index". Do a google search for it plus the website name and you will find links to instructions (free/$10-15 each) which will take this exact model all by itself and build all of these: A. Bulldozer (this ones awesome) B. Tractor C. Two separate "GBC" (great ball contraption) Models that are simply fabulous I have bought the two GBC instructions already and my eight year old son and I are simply amazed by how cool these are to build and play with. This set will be discontinued soon (they stay in production for about 2 years give or take a few months). It came out on 8/2/2015 so your time is running out to get this at retail prices ($150 or less). If you don't you will regret it. If it helps, crawler cranes are extremely popular models in the Lego Technic line. The last set came out in 2006 and had 838 parts. It was smaller, less intricate, has no motor BUT you cannot get one for less than the price of this set NEW!!! Trust me... get this as a gift or buy it for yourself and you can add a few bucks more for some alternate build instructions (all created by adults with quality instructions). In a year or two go and see what it sells for on eBay and thank me... I have over 25 sets and this is easily one of my top three Lego Technic sets from the past five years.

The transmission on this is really cool. You can run all four functions in both directions with the gear shifters off only one motor. Impressively large build. I have built in both the regular and alternate build. The tower crane version transmission isn't nearly as nice. To change swing and travel direction you have to reverse motor directions. Grapple winch has forward and reverse directions on control.but it become backward with motor running in reverse. Grandson and granddaughter love it. Next visit they can play with the boom crane. I am sure they will love it too. I am a novice Technic builder and stumbled a couple times. Be sure to follow instructions closely or you get to take it back apart to correct your mistake.

The Lego Technic Crane 42042 is a great model and was fun to build. The gearing system is cool and functional even under a slight load. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I would add a spot to add some counterweights behind the gearing. I would do this because when adding a load to the crane and trying to rotate using the gearing it will grind and won't turn. The Crane is cool and would make a great gift for anyone that loves cranes and building.

One of the best Technic sets ever! Crane goes up and down, turret swivels, body goes forward and back, all with only one motor! Builds to four separate models and has insane replay value. This one should never go out of style. Next to the Arrocs truck and the MK II crane the best technic set ever!

I'm a 30 year old man, and I spent 8 contiguous hours on the floor assembling this amazing monstrosity. It's been a month and I think my legs are still numb. Worth it? Totally. This bad boy makes the kid in me squeal with joy, and it's hilarious to set it in motion and watch my 85 lb boxer lose his mind.

It is a great crane, IF the box has all the pieces. I ordered it for my son for the week that he had no summer camp. A quarter way through building the crane, he discovered that 2 pieces were missing from a bag. Those were relatively large pieces and he couldn't have misplaced them. Amazon was very good -- they let me return the box and order a new one. Unfortunately, by the time the 2nd box arrived, my son's week at home was nearly over. The 2nd box had all the pieces, and even 2 pieces that didn't belong to this box! I guess LEGO has its funny way of LEGO piece conservation. The truth is that LEGO should do a better job with quality control. Once built, it is a very handsome crane and does many cool things.

When the box showed up it was really damaged. It looked like it set in the rain for a day.

Missing One L-shape piece so that it became unsymmetrical after I finished assembling. Certainly not because I lost it myself, it didn't came with other pieces at the first place.

This model is AMAZING! My set was missing one small piece, but the extras that were included allowed for a substitution. This thing has the most absolutely, incredibly complex gearing I've ever seen on a Lego model and was a blast to build as well as giving great ideas about future gear use. Love it!

Great set and an awesome way to relax after work. I have no idea how they come up with the construction of these things. I work for a construction company so once this is complete it's going in my office! Highly recommend this for everyone even adults like myself.

Good challenge to anyone -- care needs to be taken to follow each step as listed. Good product

What’s not to like....... it’s LEGO one of of the most highest quality toys in the world. Awesome

One of my favorite builds. All of the functions work great and it is a fun piece of equipment to display on the shelf. Highly recommended.