LEGO Technic 8053: Mobile Crane

5 reviews of LEGO Technic 8053: Mobile Crane

1. Peter Lee  ~ August 9th, 2010
   

   I bought this for myself as a 39th birthday present Earlier this year I’d bought the LEGO® Technic 8048: Buggy thoroughly enjoyed making it, so this year I decided to go for something a bit bigger.

   Firstly, the box is HUGE! The kit can make two models (not simultaneously however) – the truck crane as illustrated on the product page here, and a “dock crane” which is essentially a crane on legs. The instructions for the dock crane are not provided in the box but are downloadable for free from the Lego website. To be honest this model doesn’t look anywhere near as exciting as the truck, and so as yet I haven’t built it.

   Once opened, the box contains several numbered bags of Lego, three instruction manuals, and a sheet of stickers. You are instructed to open all of the bags numbered “1″ first of all, of which there are maybe half a dozen or so, and these will eventually go together to create the bottom half of the truck – the others, all numbered “2″, make the top half. The instructions are reasonably easy to follow but I think the published 11-16 age range is maybe a little optimistic. Altogether I spent four evenings and maybe 8-10 hours building the model on my own, two nights on the truck itself, then two on the crane assembly.

   The finished model is pretty spectacular. From front to back it is 50cm long, and the crane extends to a length of 60cm. The attention to detail is superb. A small wheel on the back opens and closes the four legs of the crane, each of which has a foot which can be raised or lowered. A larger wheel operates the steering, where all eight wheels move in unison. The doors on the cab can be opened and closed. Finally, the crane itself can rotate through 360 degrees, plus a wheel on the side controls its movement, which is adjusted by two red plastic levers which allow the arm to be raised or lowered, extended or retracted, and the cable (a length of cotton – provided with the kit) to be operated. There isn’t a hook on the end, just a pulley of sorts. At the end of the third volume of instructions there are also details of how the model can be modified to incorporate the LEGO Technic 8293: Power Functions Motor Set (not supplied) which will allow the crane to be operated using the motor rather than your fingers.

   If I have to make any criticisms they’re minor ones. I was surprised that there is no visible “engine” in the model, as most other Technic sets I’ve seen have had moving pistons etc. That aside, it’s a fantastic kit.

   Incidentally, since making this my father (age 65) has seen it and was fascinated. I think he wants one too.

   Expensive? Maybe. Hugely enjoyable and able to keep a boisterous 39 year old quiet for four evenings? Undoubtedly!

   Now for my next kit…

   
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2. Lordwalp  ~ September 28th, 2010
   

   This is a brilliant kit! My grandson has been fully absorbed for a couple of days building it – with almost no input from me. After checking that the crane worked properly using the manual controls, he fitted the power function motor and battery box.

   Now he is spending many more hours playing with the mobile crane. He loves the smooth eight-wheel steering that allows him to move the vehicle round tight corners and is fascinated by the way all four outriggers move together. He is unaware of the cleverly designed multi-function gear box but as an engineer, I am impressed. He just knows that if he operates the dog-clutches a particular way the one motor can be made to raise and lower, extend and retract the jib, and raise and lower the hook. Now he is busy designing and building “cages” out of LEGO Technic parts to attach to the hook so that he can get the crane to lift different loads.

   For my grandson, such a large, realistic model offers him not only the pleasure of construction, something he has always enjoyed, but also in imaginative play which has not always been the case with smaller or non-Technic kits.
   
   Lego Technic Mobile Crane

   
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3. Xiaoyun Chen  ~ October 7th, 2010
   

   It’s my first >$50 Lego purchase and I really liked this toy. It’s quite complicated and took me maybe 10 hours in total spread over two weeks to put together. the instruction is easy to follow. there are many nice features and so many moving parts! if you want to see this thing in action, just go to youtube and search for Lego 8053. it takes quite some patience and so don’t expects young kids to complete the whole thing.

   
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4. Hathor  ~ October 12th, 2010
   

   This is one of Lego’s newest Technic kits. It will build into a most impressive mobile crane. It has eight wheel steering, extendable outriggers, extendable crane boom, extendable lifting hook. It can be motorized with one of Legos power function M-motors.

   
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5. Ismael Chivite  ~ February 22nd, 2011
   

   Really good set. The wheels turn VERY well, and the crane has great size and works smoothly. Took me a couple of nights to built and really enjoyed it. $100 for 1000 pieces… not bad.

   Totally recommended. I did not try any motors (sold separately).

   
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