LEGOTECHNIC Motorized Excavator 8043

This is one of the coolest sets I currently have!This is not just a set for the kid that grew up with Lego, anyone that is mechanically inclined, loves engineering, or is more of a RC hobbyist should consider getting the 8043.I'd better make a pros/cons list to be fair...Pros:Enjoyable to build because it's somewhat challenging compared to other less complex sets (but not overly complex)Fun to play with of course, adults and kidsLego quality, holds together well because it's Technic and doesn't break easilyLots of room for improvement, this model can be modified in many different ways, add a grapple, put more motors in to get arid of the gearbox, your imagination sets the limits on what you can do with this setPleasing to look at because it doesn't look childish, rather realistic in fact!Breaks into hamster cage with bucketCons: Yes, there are someThis thing requires tons of AA batteries, get some kind of rechargeable battery for this or buying batteries will drain your wallet. Also hard to get the batteries out of that PF battery box I find.Gearbox hinders the speed it operates and also wastes some power changing from boom to swing and tracks. Also doesn't always fully engage when the batteries get a bit low. Clever design, but I don't prefer it that much. I modified it so I no longer have to use the gearbox by adding more motors and a third remote.However, that is where you can use your ingenuity to make it better. Since it's Lego, it's begging to be taken apart and rebuild!Also, you might be hesitant to buy it at first because it's high priced. But there's some things you've got to know first:This set is huge, 1100 pieces/power functions, it's a discontinued set so price is a bit higher, Lego lasts forever, can be rebuilt into other creations of your own design or the B model which is a tracked loader (instructions online) and keeps you off the computer!Buy it, pros outweigh the cons.

The excavator is a sheer marvel of small scale engineering.This is definitely a Lego set for the more advanced builder or hobbyist. While it may be a Lego kit, it is certainly not a clunky toy. This is a precision machine that you get the pleasure of assembling.I've assembled everything from basic Lego Technics to very advanced 10 channel balsa wood radio control airplanes and plank-on-bulkhead model boats. It's safe to say I've built some of the most complicated things availableto hobbyists. That being said, at no point during this assembly was I bored or felt this kit was childish. That's how advanced it is with it's design and assembly. It will keep an older kid experienced with Technic kits busy as well as an adult looking for something to occupy a rainy weekend.The only issue I'm having is with the function switch, when I flip the controller to go from drive to digging I can't get it to switch back and forth on it's own. It needs my assistance to flip the switch on the chassis. Obviously I assembled some part of that mechanism too tightly. Hopefully it wears in or I'll have to pull some things apart and see what I did. During assembly it moved smoothly by hand. Any ideas from others that have this model is welcome. The rest of the drive train works exactly as it should and is smooth and quiet.I wholeheartedly recommend this kit to others. Enjoy!

The build was great very enjoyable, a rough total of eight hours. No parts shortages, in fact had a few extras but everything appears to be working as advertised.One small gripe - in some instances the instruction manual pictures swap between left and right, so that the orientation ends up 180 degrees out requiring a rebuild of the section wasting time. Apart from that, I would organize my build parts differently next time, instead of keeping the parts as supplied (in the individual packets) I would separate into like piles as suggested at the beginning of the first book, I found it a little frustrating at the beginning looking for particular parts in different packages for the same build section. However the instructions were great very easy to follow - will certainly do another

This is one of the larger technic sets out there with just under 1200 pieces. The final build took me about 14 hours to complete, mainly because of the sheer amount of detail that LEGO designed into the gear trains. Don't get me wrong though, the challenge of putting those many, many little gear trains together will leave you with a sense of accomlishment (you'll probably fancy yourself as having enough talent to work for Cat or John Deere afterwards :D)The tracks and the turn functions are beautifully done, it's a very realistic approach in a toy to how an actual excavator works.All functions are enabled - it turns, it spins, the arms & bucket extend smoothly and all via radio controls. If anything, that might be the main drawback with the set - the sheer amount of batteries you'll need to power it (6AA & 6AAA). Luckily, batteries are cheap :)Please also bear in mind that the set was not designed to work in a sand pit (the sand gets in everything) and the digging functions are not that strong (it could pull a 12" snoopy stuffed toy though). Then again, on a LEGO construction site it'll eat the blocks up.All in all, this thing is one of the best sets out there and worth the price.

You have to look at it this way when it comes down to purchasing this product:4 m-motors2 remotes2 remote IR recievers2 treads8 functionsthe value alone per m motor is at cheapest $6.99 as is the battery box, each remote ( isay two remotes because with other sets like the new offroader, you get one) is worth 14.99 cheapest, each IR reciever is 14.99 cheapest as well90 bucks worth of awesome equipment right off the bat!I have also counted the number of gears in the set and its welllll past 50, plus it comes with the treads to roll on. I am very frugal and have researched all power function sets. I will recieve it in a couple days and i have never been more stoked for a new LEGO seat as I have for this and the new supercar 8070. with the remote control functions in this set you can make all your TECHNIC creations remote control.I am a 30 year old man so if I like it your kids will love it!i just cant wait to drop in the two XL motors i got from Amazon....whooo hooo!!!!!