Details

Category: Sets

Hits: 532

• 1984
• Excavator

• Set Year: 1984
• Set Number: 8851
• Set Parts: 350
• Set Price: 99.75
• Building Instruction: No
• Currency: Guilders

Set 8851 was released in 1984 as the flagship example of the new pneumatic system.  It does not feature any traditional Technic geared systems.  Instead, all technical functions are carried out via pneumatic actuators which makes this model less mechanically complex than many others of this size.  Despite this fact, the model is quite difficult to build.  There are many tubes in the chassis which have to be routed just right in order for the whole thing to fit together.  In appearance, the pneumatic actuators are clearly intended to look like hydraulic actuators though their diameter is vastly larger than a hydraulic counterpart due to the much lower pressure of pneumatics.

An excavator would have been a difficult model subject without the introduction of pneumatics.  This was the first attempt from LEGO^®.  Several other excavators would follow, some of them pneumatic, some strictly mechanical versions, and one using the new screw driven actuators.

This was the first model to use multiple pneumatic actuators.  It is one of only two sets to use the long stroke pneumatic pump.  This set also features a large number of track elements, and was only the second set to include them after 856.

Read more: 8851 - Excavator

Details

Category: Sets

Hits: 564

• 1984

• Set Year: 1984
• Set Number: 8843
• Set Parts: 270
• Set Price: 69.50
• Building Instruction: No
• Currency: Guilders

Set 8843 was released in 1984 and was one of the first models to use the new pneumatics.   This forklift features rear wheel steering as well as forks which raise, lower, and tilt.  Raising and lowering is accomplished via the pneumatic cylinder and switch.  Traditional studded construction and pinned construction are both used.

This model is a significant improvement over 850 in almost every way.  The mechanics are better (the fork mechanism does not stick far above the vehicle when raised), it has pneumatics, and it looks much more realistic with an operator cabin.

Read more: 8843 - Fork-Lift Truck

Details

Category: Universal Building Set

Hits: 533

• 1984

• Set Year: 1984
• Set Number: 8040
• Set Parts: 162
• Set Price: 54.75
• Building Instruction: No
• Currency: Guilders

The set 8040 was released in 1984 as the first Universal Building Set to incorporate the new pneumatic system.  It is clearly designed to showcase some of the possibilities of pneumatics.  It includes full instructions for 5 models as well as photographs of  other possibilities. There a number of parts left over when any of the models are built, but most of the parts are used in any case.  The set includes one normal sized pneumatic actuator, one pump, one distribution block, one switch, and a variety of tubing.  An example of every pneumatic part is included here except for the long actuator.

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Read more: 8040 - Building Set

Details

Category: Universal Building Set

Hits: 550

• 1984

• Set Year: 1984
• Set Number: 8020
• Set Parts: 119
• Set Price: 24.75
• Building Instruction: No
• Currency: Guilders

Set 8020 was released in 1984 as the smallest Universal Set to date.  It includes full instructions for 6 models. There are a number of parts left over when any of the models are built.  The set is small but versatile and is an excellent introduction to Technic.

The models in this universal set cover a wide variety of subjects, but most feature the common function of rack and pinion steering and little else. The van, rover, truck, and plow all feature rack and pinion steering.  The windmill vanes turns via crank.  The helicopter rotor turns via crank.

It is somewhat unusual that this set includes 5 sets of tires and wheels since the 5th is only ever used for overhead steering. This is the only set from 1984 to not have pneumatics included. 

Read more: 8020 - Building Set