When I was young I loved Lego. More to the point, I loved the idea of unpacking a box and cutting open the packets of blocks that didn’t resemble anything and following the instructions on how to click them together – finally ending up with a toy that resembled something that everyone could relate to.
Fast forward to now and nothing has changed. I still love combining the blocks, hinges and wheels to transform nothing into something.
So I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the Technic Forest Machine (model number 42080) kit to build and test.
Looking at the picture on the box, I thought: “How hard can it be?” A few blocks clicking together combined with some stickers for decoration and I would be done in no time. Boy was I wrong.
Unboxing
When I emptied the box there were nine bags of Lego bits of all shapes and forms. The step-by-step manual revealed that I had 369 steps to get through until the 1 004 bits would resemble the Forest Machine.
However, to make things easier, Lego split the kit up into three modules. Module one is the main cab or cockpit, module two is the trailer and module three the crane and its claw. Each of these are split in sections in the manual, allowing you to complete one section before moving onto the next one. The bags are also numbered one through to three so you know which ones are needed for each module.
Module One: The Cab
Step 10: It’s all about placing the rivets in their allocated positions
The first module is the cab and it starts off with a block no bigger than a matchbox with holes situated on all four side. Rivets – which can be thought of as the nuts and bolts of the kit then need to be placed in predetermined holes. Additional L pieces, T pieces or blocks are then added to the rivets and as one moves through the steps new rivets are added. It is a seemingly basic and easy to follow building strategy, but should a rivet be in the wrong place, it may not be immediately noticeable but will show up a few steps down the line. This means it is back to the drawing board as you need to undo all the building you have completed to find that one mistake.
Step 23: The beginnings of the main cab…
At the beginning of the review I thought I would take a photo at every ten steps. I quickly decided against this as many of the steps were simply depicting how to add one or two pegs to a part or adding an additional rivet – not much to show photographically. It also slowed the building process down – I couldn’t wait to finish the current step so I could move onto the next one.
But, at the end of step 23 I had two components that would make up the beginnings of the cab. The one on the left is the chassis which will hold the wheels and suspension. The part on the right is the beginning of the double wishbone for the front wheels that will eventually click onto the chassis.
Step 48: The Forest Machine is all about pneumatics, cogs and gears
After adding endless rivets I was able to attach some lights, a bumper bar, and the rear wheel axle. Things were starting to take shape.
The various Lego Technic kits on offer are designed to teach youngsters about the basics of mechanics. This kit was built with pneumatics, cogs and gears in mind. The pneumatics come in much later, but as can be seen now, the first gear assembly is complete and ready to be installed between the cab and the chassis to allow it to rotate 270 degrees.
Step 100: The cockpit is complete
Lego’s attention to detail is amazing. In the cab is a seat with a coffee mug, a thermos and two working controls.
The most interesting part is the two pneumatic valves which can be seen to the left of the image. Once the Forest Machine is complete these valves will control the air flowing through the system via the rotation of the brown star-shaped pegs. These in turn will activate and deactivate the boom pistons and the crane’s claw.
Read more on the next page about the trailer and crane assembly.
Module 2: The trailer
STEP 222: The trailer will house the motor and batteries
After completing module one – the cab – the trailer is beginning to take shape. Two additional wheel shafts are connected to the chassis as well as a gear (seen on the right) which will connect to the one installed at the bottom of the cab, allowing the two parts of the machine to move independently of each other.
Also, the motor has been installed and has been connected to the main air pump which, when running, will pressurise the pistons and tubes throughout the entire Forest Machine.
Another important part is the black knob at the top of the trailer which will be used to control the front wheels through the various cogs and gears and in turn allow the trailer to follow the direction of the cab.
A latch has also been installed which allows for easy access to the battery and motor compartment.
Step 267: The cab and trailer are linked
After building for about two and a half hours the cab and trailer have come together, and without any hassles I might add.
Eight wheels have been added to their shafts and are rotating freely. The knob at the top that allows one to turn the front wheels does so perfectly and directs the trailer in the same direction through the smaller cog meshing with the larger one.
Also visible is the main blue air tube which is connected to the air pump in the trailer and splits into two to connect to the pneumatic valves mounted in the cab.
The attention to detail has not been lost on the trailer either. The exhaust pipes, stickers and lights are all in place. Two ladders, a tool box, spade and pick have also been mounted.
Step 269: Air delivery system is taking shape
At last the pneumatics are coming into play. The blue tubes are the main lines with the one connected to the air pump and delivering air to the two valves through a T piece.
Also connected to the valve are black and grey tubes. The black ones will deliver compressed air to the pistons and claw at the end of the crane, while the grey ones will remove the air. This in effect creates an air delivery and release system.
In keeping up with attention to detail, the red cylinder to the left of the valve is a Lego’s fire-extinguisher.
Step 275: Pistons in place
The pistons have attached the boom to the cab with their air tubes ready to deliver and release air.
STEP 275: Luckily the pivots are in the correct slots, otherwise the pistons would not connect correctly.
Read more on the next page about the crane assembly.
Module Three: The crane assembly
Step 296: Building the boom – easy as clicking a few blocks together
It’s now onto the crane module which comprises two parts – the boom that attaches to the cab and the claw that will fit onto the end of the boom.
The boom was easy enough to build as I was now getting the hang of the building process. The boom consists of two Lego lengths, each needing ten rivets. Once one was complete the process was simply repeated for the second length.
Nothing else was needed except for the addition of the stickers showing the 42080 model number.
Step 332: Grappling with claw
The last segment and the last part of the build is the claw, which is now complete. Two air modules have been attached which will control the air flow to and from the claw through the grey and black tubing.
An additional knob has been attached. This allows the claw to rotate ninety degrees – once again via a smaller gear meshing into a bigger one.
Step 367: The final step in the build is done. Pneumatics are connected, cogs are synchronising perfectly and a few stickers have been added.
Step 369: Batteries not included
Batteries, all six AA, need to be inserted into the battery housing on the trailer and the motor plugged in. It its then a case of holding thumbs and hoping no steps have been left out or not followed correctly.
Conclusion
For me, and I think for may other consumers, the best part is in the build. At the end of clicking the bits together, inserting the batteries and watching the Forest Machine come to life is a great reward.
The ability of the Forest Machine designers to come up with the concept, using 1 005 parts is an achievement on its own.
But, once it has been used for a few minutes and has been shown off to friends and family, the novelty wears off and it could perch on a shelf to collect dust.
However, the saying ‘imagination knows no bounds’ rings very true here, especially a child’s imagination. The knowledge gained from the pneumatics and gears offered in this kit will provide various other building opportunities when broken down and added to other Lego sets.
Vital statistics
- Age group: 10 years and over
- Pieces: 1 005
- Educational attachments: The workings of a motor to drive the air pump, pneumatic tubes, valves and gears.
- Build time: 4,5 hours spent over two days
- Build fun: Five stars
- Attention to detail: Five stars
- Playability: Four stars
- Cost: The Forest Machine can be bought from Takealot here for R2 400