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Crane Sets
Crane Comparisons

Cranes

cranes

Cranes have been a very popular subject with Technic.  Most have been mobile cranes of one type or another, with a couple of static cranes as well.  In addition to the cranes shown here, several other Universal Sets offer a crane as one of the possible models.  Two of the Universal Set cranes are shown here, those that I deemed worthy.

Crane have typically been among the largest and most complex of Technic models.  All feature luffing booms of one type or another, and many also telescope.  Virtually all feature cable drums and sheaves.  A few are even attached to trucks which are very functional in their own right.

8421 and 42009 are by far the most complicated wheeled cranes, but on a smaller budget and 8854 is also excellent.  Some of these models are among the very biggest Technic set ever.  42042 is the biggest lattice boom crane.
 

Sets
855/955 Mobile Crane
 iso 		8053 Mobile Crane
8053
8054 Motorized Universal Building Set
8054		 8067 Mini Mobile Crane
8067
8074 Universal Building Set
iso
8270 Rough Terrain Crane
iso
8288 Crawler Crane
iso		 8292 Cherry Picker
8292
8421 Mobile Crane
iso 		 8460/8431/8438 Pneumatic Crane Truck
iso
8854 Power Crane
iso		 9391 Mini Crane
9391
42009 Mobile Crane Mk II
42009
 42031 Cherry Picker
42031
42042 Crawler Crane
42042
 

Feature Comparison
Set
 Mobility
 Steering
 Boom
 Slewing
 Hoist
 Outriggers
 Engine
855
 		4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Rack gear driven luffing and telescoping via crank and ratchet
 360° manual on 4x4 turntable Crank driven
 Manual at four corners
 No
8053
 8 wheels, 4 axles 8 wheel rack and pinion
 Linear actuator driven and telescoping via crank
 360° manual on turntable Crank driven
 Manual X shape with deployable feet
 No
8054
 		4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank
 360° gear driven on axle
 Motorized
 No
 No
8067
 6 wheels, 3 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank, manual telescoping
 360° manual on turntable Crank driven
 Manual on two sides
 No
8074
 		Stationary
 No
 Gear driven luffing and jib rotation via cranks and flex system
 360° gear driven on turntable Crank driven
 No
 No
8270
 		4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank, manual telescoping 360° manual on axle pin Crank driven
 Front and rear manual snap over center
 No
8288
 		Treads
 No
 Cable driven luffing via ratchet
 360° manual on turntable Crank driven via ratchet
 No
 No
8292
 6 wheels, 3 axles Front wheel rack and pinion Motorized articulated basket lift, manual telescoping 360° motor driven on turntable No No
 No
8421 8 wheels, 4 axles with differential on 3rd axle
 6 wheel rack and pinion
 Pneumatic luffing, motorized 3 stage telescoping
 360° manual on turntable Motorized
 Gear driven at four corners snap over center
 V-6 driven by 3rd axle via differential
8460 6 wheels, 3 axles
 4 wheel rack and pinion
 Pneumatic luffing, gear driven telescoping via crank
 360° gear driven on turntable Crank driven via ratchet
 Gear driven at four corners snap over center No
8854 4 wheel, 2 axles
 Front wheel rack and pinion
 Pneumatic luffing, gear driven telescoping via crank
 180° gear driven on 4x4 turntable, limited by pneumatics Crank driven via ratchet Gear driven at rear corners snap over center
 No
9391
 		Treads
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank, manual telescoping 360° manual on turntable Crank driven No
 No
42009
 10 wheels, 5 axles
 8 wheel rack and pinion Motorized luffing via linear actuators, motorized 3 stage telescoping
 360° manual on turntable Motorized
 Motorized deploying and telescoping at four corners via linear actuators
 V-8 driven by 3rd axle via differential
42031
 4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank 180° manual on turntable No
 No
 No
42042
 Motorized Treads
 No
 Motorized cable luffing
 360° motor driven on turntable Motorized
 No
 No

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