Review: LEGO Technic 42116 Skid Steer Loader

Today we quickly tour the LEGO Technic set 42116 Skid Steer Loader, a small box of 140 pieces which will be sold at the public price of 9.99 € from January 1st.

This involves assembling a skid steer loader with one arm, which is not the most common configuration for these small utility vehicles. However, some manufacturers such as JCB or Volvo highlight the interest of this new configuration compared to traditional double-arm loaders in terms of safety for the operator of the vehicle. This configuration makes it possible to free access to the driving position via a side door, in theory it allows faster evacuation in the event of a problem and it increases the driver's peripheral visibility.

At 9.99 € the box of 140 pieces including about forty pine, do not expect an assembly experience that will exceed fifteen minutes. It is still necessary to assemble at least one mechanism, the one which makes it possible to raise the armed side arm of the bucket. For the anecdote, this black bucket is the one that also serves as the roof of the central building of the set Structure 10255 Assembly Square marketed in 2017.

As a bonus, the inventory of this 2-in-1 box allows you to assemble a second model, a very correct hot rod whose instructions available only online are not available for the moment. This possibility of building something other than the starting model is interesting, it will extend the life of this product with a relatively small inventory.

The cabin is opened by pushing on the roll bar, the arm is raised by turning the knob placed above the cabin, the bucket is oriented using the knob placed at the rear and the visible gears allow to observe the operation of the mechanism.

It's a detail, but the youngest will undoubtedly learn something in the process before embarking on the creation of their own models. These entry-level products without any particular pretensions are always more interesting when they allow you to really discover a mechanical principle or an assembly technique that can then be reused in more ambitious machines.

This skid steer loader is colorful, but for once I would have preferred it with a yellow frame and black arm to make it look a bit more like the single arm models offered by JCB and Volvo. No stickers to stick in this set, the model does not really need them anyway.

In short, this little introductory product to the LEGO Technic universe will not revolutionize the range, but it is not without interest. For less than 10 euros, there is something to have a little fun, observe and understand the operation of an endless screw and learn a little more about the alternative solutions developed by certain manufacturers to improve the safety of loader operators. compact.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 29, 2020 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.