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Crane Sets
Crane Comparisons

Cranes

1    2

3
(8258 to be added)

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 is by far the most complicated, but on a smaller budget 8288 and 8854 are also excellent.
 

Sets
855/955 Mobile Crane
 iso 		8054 Motorized Universal Building Set
8054
8074 Universal Building Set
iso
8258 Crane Truck
8258
8270 Rough Terrain Crane
iso 		8288 Crawler Crane
iso
8421 Mobile Crane
iso 		8436 Truck
iso
 8460/8431/8438 Pneumatic Crane Truck
iso 		8854 Power Crane
iso
8292 Cherry Picker
8292
8446 Crane Truck
8446
 

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
8054
 4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank
 360° gear driven on axle
 Motorized
 No
 No
8074
 Stationary
 No
 Gear driven luffing and jib rotation via cranks and flex system
 360° gear driven on turntable Crank driven
 No
 No
8258
 8 wheels, 4 axles
 4 wheel rack and pinion
 Motorized luffing and folding, manual telescoping
 360° motor driven on turntable Crank driven via ratchet Motorized at four corners, manual snap over center
 V-8 driven by rear wheels
8270
 4 wheels, 2 axles
 No
 Worm driven luffing via crank, manual telescoping 360° manual on axle pin Crank driven
 Front and real manual snap over center
 No
8288
 Treads
 No
 Cable driven luffing via ratchet
 360° manual on turntable Crank driven via ratchet
 No
 No
8421 8 wheels, 4 axles with differential on 3rd axle
 6 wheel rack and pinion
 Pneumatic luffing, motorized double telescoping
 360° manual on turntable Motorized
 Gear driven at four corners snap over center
 V-6 driven by 3rd axle
8436 6 wheel, 2 axles with differential on rear
 Front wheel rack and pinion
 Pneumatic folding on 2 arms, manual telescoping
 300° gear driven on turntable, limited by pneumatics No
 No
 V-6 driven by rear wheels
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
8292
 6 wheels, 3 axles
 Front wheel rack and pinion
 Motorized articulated basket lift, manual telescoping
 360° motor driven on turntable
 No
 No
 No


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