I had to choose between this set and save some more money for the M8275. I wanted something new, now and fast, so it was this set. I will save for the other set later ;)

Pro's:
The lineair actuator has quit some strength in this set.
4-wheen steering, love it, like the mechanisms used to make this all work.
Large wheels, like it, can climb 'large' objects.
The overall details of this set are almost real.
B-model is nice as well.
You can use the chassis of this set to make a lot of other different vehicles.
It can be motorized.
The boom can handle also heavier loads when completely extended.
Gear for the extending/lifting of the boom, alsways wanted one, bought some extra gears now.

Con's:
The large wheels are not 'hard', but can be used to drive over rocky bottom.
The studs at the front of the A-model... just don't do it.
The 4-wheel steering does not line up all the time (front-back do not sync).
The B-models actual loader is not too heavy in use.
Should be available also in an 'extended version', with the motors inside.
You need to print the B-model yourself (140 pages).

Overall:
Value for money is good, since you have several extra mechanisms to build, nice buildtime (also for newbies) and it is in the same scale as a lot of other 'building' sets in the Lego-Technic-Construction-range.

And now back to saving for the M8275... :)

What a great set. Yesterday, I went to the King of Prussia Mall (PA) for the lego store. As I walked into the store, the box caught my attention. I walked over there, picked it up, and it was hefty, I mean it was like 6 pounds! I integrated my own motor from set 4895 and it works well, I also had that special gear that lets slippage under high strain from RIS 2.0.

Pros:-Gigantic for 89.99(The Off-Roader is about the same size)
-A vast selection of pieces
-Big wheels that I didn't have before
-A special switching system that controls the boom angle AND the length (look at the seat, to the right there is a red lever)
-Amazingly realistic
-Loads of gears and 8 of those plates with teeth
-Retractable outriggers

Cons:- Steering only works well on hardwood flooring(My whole house has it!)
-Exhaust pipe controls outriggers, looks funny in disengaged position

Overall:9.5/10

This is a nice Technic set. I like the crane and the crate made of Lego bricks. There is alot of detail in this set even though this is a Technic set. Overall, this set is very, very good for a Technic set.

Hi everyone. This is my first review. I just startet with Technic one month ago. I have bought 60+ sets, assembled 40+. And this is one of the best. It is the biggest set I have made. I have one remark to all about this set: Just pay attention when aligning everything! I will not tell you where to pay attention, but everything works, if you follow the instructions.

Box/Instructions

I bought this set used, without the box. I have used both the printed instructions, and the PDF. Works like a charm. I have not build the B-model. Just pay attention when aligning everything!

Parts

I do not make MOC, so i just think it is a great set, with a lot of parts. I am new to Technic, so I do not know which parts are rare or special.

Minifigures

None

The build

Great build. I do not agree with a lot of the other reviewers. This is complicated. And I think the negative reviews reflect, that you have made some errors when assembling. Just pay attention when aligning everything!

The completed model

This model is huge. I think it is beautiful. Nothing is overstressed, my fingers do not hurt, when lifting and lowering the boom. The red knop is not jumping out of position. The four wheel steering works perfectly. The only thing I can agree with, is that it can not lift a lot. But is that the intention with Technic?

Overall opinion

- great build,

- beautiful,

- difficult build,

- a lot of parts,

- pure joy when everything works.

Famous last words: Just pay attention when aligning everything!

Hope this is useful. Per

I got this thing off Amazon after reading about it and wanted to see what the set was like for myself. It looked great; huge wheels, intricate design and a pretty impressive set of functions.

Building It

Well. With 1182 parts, this wasn't a quick afternoon jolly. It took me an afternoon and the following morning, and was enjoyable. I liked slipping in the gears and the linear actuator (this was one of the first sets to feature it) and wondering how it was all going to come together when I turned this or that. The stickers look cool - I managed to resurrect them from a fairly mashed-up sheet; one was stuck to a manual! - and I really like the DANGER sign as well as the cab controls.

After a few hours, I was done, and I was really pleased with the finished model. It is massive, and you feel great when you've built it. It looks seriously tough and the details such as the front jacks and the exhaust pipe look cool.

The Finished Thing And Playing With It

It looked cool when I'd built it. However, the coolness wears off a little when you actually use the Telescopic Handler. First, while I really appreciate the mechanisms that run through the length of the vehicle, such as the actuator controls and the steering system, it's all a case of too little spread over too much area. The gears and rods are put under immense pressure with some functions, the boom levelling being the worst candidate here. The rear knob that turns and raises the boom is difficult to spin, and feels like you're pulling an Easter Island statue up over a cliff with a fishing rod.

Said rear gear can be rerouted by the sprocket by way of a clever handle in the cab - love the sticker that goes along with it! - to lengthen the boom, and this feature works well, probably because the mechanism is relatively self-contained and doesn't have too much distance to cover. I really like the pallet that comes with the set, and the forks that carry it can be adjusted by a gear at the top of the boom. I know a lot of people see that as a little lame, but it doesn't really bother me.

The steering of the Telescopic Handler - oh, dear. This vehicle is almost impossible to steer if not on a smooth surface - I challenge any moosh to turn the wheels while the Telescopic Handler is stationary on carpet. The control light actually came off in my hand one time! Again, like the boom levelling, it's laborious and a case of too little spread too far - a few knob wheels and long rods cover the entire vehicle. The front and rear axles are not in synchrony, and this makes for an uneven experience when trying to steer the Telescopic Handler. Not good.

I actually like the jacks with their little stripe stickers and stuff. Sure, they're not as efficient and well-implemented as, say, those of 8069, but they look nice and work best if the front of the Telescopic Handler is raised off the ground and placed back down with the jacks fully lowered. The exhaust stack that acts as a lever does look odd when the jacks are up and the stack tips back, though.

Maaboo Thirty Five's Special POWER FUNCTIONS Bit For Power Functions-Compatible Sets

This model is compatible with the 8293 set, and I was anxious to try it out. So I got an 8293 and set it all up. Some extra parts come with the set to fit the motor and its battery box. The lights from 8293 can be fit into the studs at the front of the vehicle and light up real nice.

There needs to be a certain amount of play in the gear system for the setup to work, though - if it's a little too tight, the motor will be unable to operate the boom. I found this out the hard way when I rebuilt the Telescopic Handler for the second time and spaced the gears correctly. Make sure everything spins as it should, and the motor should work. The overall result is quite impressive, and it's fun seeing the boom raise and extend.

Da B-Model

The Log Loader vehicle, the alternate model for this set, is only buildable with plans that have to be downloaded. That's a pain. This set and 8294 were the first sets to implement this unwelcome feature. The Log Loader, however, is worth downloading the instructions for. It uses a similar chassis design as the main model, which is unusual, but instead features an enormous bulldozer blade with gripping claws. This is impressive, and it's really huge - while the 8069 and 8265 B-models can carry a single log, this can handle a stack!

It's a lot easier to operate, too. The Log Loader is much lighter than the main model, and its functions are fairly linear. The steering works better, as well. This doesn't mean that it lacks some complexity, though - it still uses the transmission system seen in the Telescopic Handler. This routes the rear-mounted gear control from the lifting of the front blade to another fancy feature - a raising cab section! Cool.

Oh, and the Log Loader also has a natty little access ladder.

It's rare that we get a B-model that betters the main attraction, but I think the Log Loader manages it.

Pros and Cons

After all that, here's a rundown of the good and not so good bits of the set!

Pros (A-model)

• Some lovely visual details
• Looks great next to other TECHNIC construction vehicles
• The boom's telescopic function works well
• Stickers look nice too, and there's not too many of them

Cons (A-model)

• Most of the mechanisms are overstretched and difficult to operate
• Steering is poor

Pros (B-model)

• Looks impressive
• Some innovative features
• Easy to operate

Cons (B-model)

• Not as intricate as the main model
• Feels a little flimsy in places

The Final Words

The Telescopic Handler is a pretty good set. While it doesn't quite manage to become a classic, it's certainly solid, with a decent range of parts and functions, and a great B-model.

-maaboo35