Set 855 was released under the "Technical Set" series in 1978 in Europe. It finally made it to the US in 1979 with the number 955 as an "Expert Builder" set. This crane packs an impressive list of features including telescoping, outriggers, a 360 degree slewing turntable, a luffing and telescoping boom, and a hoist. It does NOT feature steering, and is one of the only wheeled models to ever lack this feature except for the later series of cars with pullback motors which also lack steering. Traditional studded construction is used almost exclusively.
During introduction year this set was priced 82.50 guilders.
Later its price was raised to 89.50 guilders even to 96.50 in 1981.
LEGO® has built a lot of mobile cranes over the years each and every one getting more and more sophisticated. Despite that fact as a first crane model and taking the fact that Technic® was just introduced this still is an extremely impressive model. The number of features which were able to be included while still using primarily standard bricks and plates is simply amazing. This model also marks several firsts. This was the first appearance of LEGO® string, a sturdy braided type of cord which would show up on most of the cranes after this. This model uses the first rubber band to control a ratchet and pawl system. This model also first uses what would become one of the most standard elements, an axle pin, to support the wheels.
There are at least 2 different design versions build and instructions for this set. The differences for the second version are an extra set of bricks in the front of the crane to strengthen it and give the luffing a limit on the lowering to avoid it runs out of the 'rail'. As happens a lot in the early days the instructions are a bit erroneous. Till 1980 there was an additional black/white printed A4 with the adjustment of the build. Later the building instructions were corrected for this change. Also in the case of the new instruction for the adjusted design the pins for the turning point for the boom should have been moved back one hole towards the turning point of the boom it self so the boom can be lowered horizontally again. However the stock photos were never adjusted for this, including the print on the box. Only in pre-owned sales photos you see the difference in designs.
If you are interested in this alternative model mobile crane based on sets 850, 855, 871 and 877 from the building instructions from the set you can find a building instruction here.
Main model |
|||
Features |
|||
|
Steering |
 |
 |
The front wheels can be steered using a wheel at the driver's position. The wheel drives an axle connected to an 8 tooth pinion gear via a universal joint. The pinion drives a rack. The steering mechanism itself uses 6 traditional 2x2 swivels with 2 pair allowing rotation of the wheels about the vertical axis and another pair acting as control arms attached to the rack gears. Simple axles allow the wheels to rotate freely. |
|
Engine |
 |
 |
The single cylinder engine uses the offset axle holes of the 24 tooth gears to make a crankshaft. Connectors placed end to end and clocked 90 degrees form rods which connect to a specialized 2x2 square piston. The "cylinder" is actually square. The engine also has a number of aesthetic features such as cooling fins (suggesting this engine is air cooled) and new hose elements which could potentially represent water cooling lines, vacuum lines, or even spark plug wires. The engine is driven off of a set of 24 and 8 tooth gears attached to the left rear wheel, giving the engine a ratio 3:1 with respect to the wheels. |
|
Wheels and Tires |
 |
This set contains 4 sets of wheels and tires of type:
|
|
Alternative Models |
||||
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Parts List |
|||
|
Parts List |
 |
Blue with a big black seatand a hint of red! | |
Based on Technicopedia