Milan Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 INTRODUCTION From Wikipedia: A compactor is a machine or mechanism used to reduce the size of material such as waste material or bio mass through compaction. A trash compactor is often used by a home or business to reduce the volume of trash it produces. A baler-wrapper compactor is often used for making compact and wrapped bales in order to improve logistics. Normally powered by hydraulics, compactors take many shapes and sizes. In landfill sites for example, a large tractor (typically a converted front end loader with some variant of a bulldozer blade attached) with spiked steel wheels called a landfill compactor is used to drive over waste deposited by waste collection vehicles. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS MACHINE I had been working for some time for our State Waste Management company, and one of my tasks included periodic visits to our city landfill for data collecting/analyzing work. I was there just in a moment when they got a brand new Cat Soil Compactor, this is the actual one: I was so excited about it, that I spent my next few lunch breaks there, inspecting the machine, though no one understood why I did that. Since I did not actually work on the landfill-part of the company, i could not even thought of asking the manager to let me try it under his supervision, even though I had some experience in operating machinery. But it was, and still is, a very capable machine, and it was a pleasure watching it working. Anyway, was very happy to see this particular machine in the review batch! Note: All images can be clicked for hi-res versions. SET INFORMATION Number: 42071 Title: Dozer Compactor Theme: Technic Released: 2018 Part Count: 171 Box Weight: 325 gr Box Dimensions: 26,0 cm x 13,8 cm x 6,9 cm Set Price (MSRP): € 19,99 Price per Part: € 0,116 Links: Brickset, Bricklink THE BOX The box has the same dimensions as pullback motor sets. The weight of the box is approximately 325 grams. Looking at the box, we can see the dozer on a quarry-like environment, ready to scratch that blade pushing the rocks. Dominant colors are blue and orange, with dark bluish gray. FRONT SIDE The box states that this model is for the age of 8 till 14. More importantly, the 2-models in-1 logo is clearly visible, which means this set can be used to build two different models.BACK SIDE The alternate model, the "Articulated Truck", is a flatbed, low cabine truck, with flatbed unloading mechanism. One of the sides also shows picture of the main model, and one of the sprockets in actual size. CONTENT OF THE BOX The box contains: 2 Instructions Booklet 1 Sticker Sheet 4 Wheel Hard Plastic with Small Cleats 3 Bags INSTRUCTION BOOKLET The instruction booklet for the main model. Nice editing on the main booklet. Not so nice on the alternative model. Angle of the truck is just bad compared to the ground. EXAMPLE OF RANDOM INSTRUCTION STEP STICKER SHEET The sticker sheet shows blue/orange decals, a total of 8 of them. WHEELS HARD PLASTIC WITH SMALL CLEATS Four of these wheels haven't been sealed in plastic bags. BAGS Three bags containing the rest of the parts. HIGHLIGHTED PARTS This section describes the new and/or otherwise interesting parts. PANEL 5x11Panel Plate 5 x 11 x 1 in dark bluish grey. This is the first time we got this part in this color. We got one in this set. This part appears only in two sets, Dozer Compactor (1x) and Mack Anthem (11x). Otherwise, this part appeared in 60 sets so far. TECHNIC TREAD SPROCKET WHEEL SMALLSmall Sprocket appeared in 34 sets so far, but Dozer Compactor is the only set in which we got blue sprockets. Four of them! INTERESTING PARTSSmall Turntable, always nice to have one more of this little guys. This set contains one small turntable. And, Axle Connector 3L, we get one in this set. umm...TIRES? This set contains four of Dark Bluish Gray Wheel Hard Plastic with Small Cleats. They appeared in 15 sets, in black, DBG and orange color. PART LIST This set contains 171 parts, shown below. THE BUILD Building is actually interesting, obviously it is better thought out than first three sets. Since it's a small model, just a bit larger than pullback motor sets, I will skip the building steps. I hereby present the finished Dozer Compactor. After three smallest sets, I think we have a nice looking set! Compared to those three, this one does look realistic. Proportions are okay (i would like it to have a bit longer engine cover at the back), and functions work smooth, with nice range of motion. Grey, orange and blue works nicely together, and combined with orange stickers at the back, provide for a visually pleasing model. I like all the details in and around the cabine. Underside view. LEFTOVER PARTS A few common leftover parts. FUNCTIONS Instruction Booklet shows us two functions of the model: Steering and Blade operation. STEERING Steering is done via 3L connector, placed above the engine cover. It is easily accessible and provide smooth operation. Since you will most likely hold the "exhaust pipe" and push the model, when you try to steer, you will basically slide the whole front part of the model left and right, instead of articulating it at the middle. That is because all the weight is at the back, from your hand on the exhaust pipe. Range of motion/steering is shown on the animation bellow, and it seems very adequate. BLADE Second function is blade operation. It is done via 12T double bevel gear just in front of the cabine. It is easily accessible, but not as much as the steering. Range of motion is great, as shown on the animation. SUMMARY Best set of the first four! Looks great, and has nice functions that work smoothly. Wheels happily rolls on most surfaces, but will roll poorly on a parquet and smooth tiles, and wont roll at all on a flat table. Younger builders will enjoy the mechanisms inside and how they translate to actual functions. Older builders will enjoy its realistic look and functions, in a pretty small package of 171 parts! If you have to choose from one of four smallest sets in 1H 2018, take this one! SCORE How do I grade this machine. 8 DESIGN For such a small set consisting of only 171 parts, this is an excellent model. 7 BUILDING EXPERIENCE Certainly not boring, clever usage of parts. 8 FEATURES Steering and blade function. 8 PLAYABILITY Two functions great for playing, but can only push. Can't load and unload materials as a bucket could. 7 PARTS Two parts in new color. 8 VALUE FOR MONEY If you like construction machines, consider this set! 7,7 Quote
Aventador2004 Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 Totally agree, I love looking at mine too. Your doppelganger did a great job . Quote
Ngoc Nguyen Posted March 18, 2018 Posted March 18, 2018 Nothing's better than the review of a set by the person who has direct experience with the very real life vehicle. Quote
doug72 Posted March 18, 2018 Posted March 18, 2018 Those cleat wheels with all the pin holes in the hub might be useful to make a planetary reduction gear unit. Quote
Paul B Technic Posted March 18, 2018 Posted March 18, 2018 Great little review, I think I might need to grab this one :) Quote
Aventador2004 Posted March 19, 2018 Posted March 19, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, Paul B said: Great little review, I think I might need to grab this one :) Totally worth it! Edited March 19, 2018 by Aventador2004 Quote
1gor Posted March 19, 2018 Posted March 19, 2018 Nice simple decent review with all important information Quote
Milan Posted March 20, 2018 Author Posted March 20, 2018 On 3/19/2018 at 1:43 AM, Aventador2004 said: Totally worth it! Agreed! Quote
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