REVIEW - 42079 - HEAVY DUTY FORKLIFT

INTRODUCTION

With 592 parts the smallest of the 2H 2018 sets. Of course, less parts doesn't mean a lesser model. It looks interesting enough and it has a promising B-model. The previous forklift (not counting the mini 8290) was the 8416 Fork-Lift from 2005, the year I got out of my dark ages. Needless to say this is a while ago. Like cranes, lots of people tend to like forklifts. Probably like those people, I am hoping that TLG will some day release a big forklift flagship, full RC, so you can fully control it like the 8043 - Motorized Excavator. But I digress. Let's see what this Heavy Duty Forklift has to offer.

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PICTURES
Pictures can be clicked to view hi-res versions. More pictures can be found in my Flickr album.

DISCLAIMER
This set has been provided by the CEE Team of TLG. It's not my goal to promote this set. It's my goal to give you an honest opinion about it. Therefore, the opinion in this review is my own and is in no way linked to TLG.

SET INFORMATION

Number: 42079
Title: Forklift Truck
Theme: Technic
Released: 2018
Part Count: 592
Box Weight: 1,24 kg
Box Dimensions: 37,7 cm x 25,7 cm x 9,0 cm
Set Price (MSRP): £  / $ 69,99 / € 49,99
Price per Part: £  / $ 0.118 / €
Links: Brickset, Bricklink

THE BOX

Apparently the size isn't important, or impressive, enough to mention on the front of the box. It only shows the Forklift transporting a drum with dangerous content. The picture in the top right indicates that the carriage can go up and down. That's great, being a forklift and all.

BACKSIDE
At first glance, this doesn't seem to be a very special set, but the backside reveals a very good looking B-model. This alternate model could almost have appeared on the front of the box. Other than that, it has an interesting color scheme, some nice dark blue panels. Color me interested! 

CONTENTS OF THE BOX

This set contains:

• 2x Instruction booklet
• 1x Sticker sheet
• 4x Tire
• 6x Unnumbered bag

INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS
We have seen this before, but I was still pleased with getting the second booklet out of the box.

 

STICKER SHEET
Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a couple of stickers to provide some details for the bodywork, and of course the DANGER sign for the drum.

TIRES
Probably some of the most commonly owned tires by AFOLs, but we haven't seen these last year (2017). Last set to use these tires is the 42049 - Mine Loader from 2016.

BAGS
The set contains six numbered bags.

     

HIGHLIGHTED PARTS

Unfortunately, this set doesn't contain any of the new parts. Or any interesting parts for that matter. I have highlighted the following parts as the most interesting of this set.

GEAR RACK AND HOUSING
This Gear Rack Housing and Gear Rack can be found in six other Technic sets. The light bluish grey housing is only available in two sets though.

DARK BLUE PANELS
If you want these dark blue panels you are limited to just a couple of sets. And I probably don't need to tell you that two of these sets are pretty expensive.

PART LIST

Here's the complete part list showing you 592 parts.

THE BUILD

Early in the build, the chassis already contains a lot of the functional parts. The front wheels with differential, connected to the axle and gears for the fake engine.

Two universal joints (U-joints) are used to connect the axle in the mast. In the picture on the right you can see the steering mechanism. Forklifts usually steer with the rear wheels, which is also the case for this vehicle.

 

This profile view shows part of the cabin taking shape, and the 2-cylinder fake engine has been placed.

Behind the driver's seat is an axle going down in the chassis. It's connected to the axle leading to the mast of the forklift.

BODYWORK
The bodywork gives the forklift a finished look. I like the shape and color scheme of it. The light on the top of the vehicle is not the Hand of God steering. In this case, it's the Hand of God lifting hehe.

CARRIAGE
The carriage is lifted using a Short Worm Screw Gear. The lifting height of the forklift is 16 studs. Thanks to M_Longer for measuring it. I forgot to do that and I currently have the B-model assembled. Always build the B-model first if you are writing a review and you will be covering both models. In case you are wondering how this is measured, here's the exact quote:

"I have put a 16L link under and it fit perfectly ;)"

LEFTOVER PARTS
The usual selection of small parts.

COMPLETED MODEL

The completed model has an exhaust which provides Hand of God steering. I do like the position of the steering mechanism, but I don't like the fact it is connected directly to the gear rack. This not only results in inverted steering, but also in rather direct steering. I would have liked to see some gear reduction and reversal of direction. I can understand there is little place for an intricate system, but I still think it was feasible.

This being a minor gripe, I do like this model a lot. I love its looks and its simplicity (in a good way). I had this model standing on the table and my five year old nephew immediately started playing with it. I only had to explain the tilting mechanism, which is located at both sides of the cabin, but besides that, he quickly started turning the knobs.

LIFTING MECHANISM
Click on the image below to show the lifting mechanism.

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REAR
The rear of the vehicle does show some unused space. This gives me reason to believe a better steering mechanism could have been concocted. I do like the looks of the rear though. The solution with the two small panels is nicely done.

From a slightly different angle the forklift does look those big boys driving around in harbor areas.

Another picture from the rear. I can only conclude that it's a good looking model.

B-MODEL

Since the instructions for the B-model are included in the set, it's only logical to include it in the review. Lucky for me, my lovely partner @Kitty was willing to spend some time building this alternate model. She is not really into Technic, but she is willing to help me out every now and then. Usually, she is taking sets apart, but occasionally she assists building them, like now.

Unlike the forklift, the fake engine is placed at the front of the chassis. So is the steering mechanism.

Here's a side view with the crane attached. There is no mechanism to extend the boom. You simply need to operate it by hand.

The finished model is actually very good looking. And it has the basic functions you would expect from a tow truck, steering, working fake engine and a crane/boom. Granted, a mechanism to operate the boom is absent, but this being the B-model, I can live with it.

Shooting pictures for models with some sort of hook is always a challenge. The hook never hangs as you would like and it takes a couple of minutes for the hook to completely hang still . After putting the model on the table you wait...or go about some other business.

And a picture from the rear.

This is one of those sets which is actually 2-in-1, having a proper alternate model AND instructions to build it out of the box. Below is a picture of the left over parts.

SUMMARY

For a Heavy Lift Forklift it feels a bit too compact. Like I said in the introduction of this review, it would be cool to have a Heavy Lift Forlift, which is actually massive, like the real machine. Of course, this has nothing to do with the quality of this model.

Lifting the forks/carriage is done via the beacon light on the top of the model. Tilting the mast is done via the levers on both sides of the cabin. Both functions work properly. Steering is done via the exhaust at the rear of the model. Steering is very direct and above all, it's inverted. This could have been done differently. 

At this price point, getting basically two proper models is great value. All in all I really do like this set. Nothing extraordinary, but if will definitely make for a nice gift. Downside for AFOLs is that most of us will be able to make this with our own inventory, since it doesn't contain any new parts.

PROS

• It's affordable.
• Two very nice models.
• Functions work properly (steering can be improved though).

CONS

• No new parts have been used.
• Steering is inversed (minor gripe).

SCORE

How do I rate this set?

8 DESIGN

Two very good looking models, especially for a set this size.

7 BUILDING EXPERIENCE
 
Nothing really special, as expected. But still fun to build.

8 FEATURES
 
Properly working manual features.

9 PLAYABILITY
 
Lots of playability. 

7 PARTS
 
No new parts were used. Other than that is an okay selection with some nice dark blue pieces.

9 VALUE FOR MONEY
 
The cool B-model adds a lot of value to this, already great, set.

8,0 FOR LIFTING AND TOWING

FINAL WORDS

@M_Longer has created an LXF file which he has share in this topic. And @JunkstyleGio has created two wonderful renders.

Thanks you for reading this review. All pictures can be found here.