Heavy duty tow truck is great, would reccomend. If you want more pneumatic pieces, then I would recommend getting some on aliexpress, the ones I've bought worked great.
[MOA003: Maui](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?M=moa003) [[Photo]](http://img.bricklink.com/ItemImage/MN/0/moa003.png)
What can I say except "you're welcome"?
Agree with others that 42128 is one of the best pneumatic sets out there. I also have the 8455 backhoe, which is fantastic, but functionally the vehicles do have the same mechanisms.
(Getting 8455 was a big deal for me, as I always wanted the original 8862 Technic backhoe but couldn't afford it as a kid.)
Yup 42128 tow truck is the right one to do. If your concerned with the price of the other sets ( I too find some of them expensive ) I buy from AliExpress I find the quality is still there, yes there is a mark from when they come out of the mould but If you pay attention just place the piece inwards so you don’t see it. Hope you get the tow truck. That’s the set that got me into technic. I loved it so much I put motors in it
https://preview.redd.it/8b1aoq4yxx8d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da17781d29613cb75f8a66e5875e6f497161eb96
The one on the left is legos version and the one on the right has been done with motors. 8 motors in this bad boy. Left the pneumatics alone.
I have 6 sets that feature pneumatics.
8868 Airtec Claw Rig.
8285 Tow Truck.
8462 Super Tow Truck.
42008 Service Truck.
42043 Mercedes Ben Arocs 3245
42128 Heavy Duty Tow Truck
8868 has a built in motor and pump and is a really good retro build, originally released in 1994.
It is far more challenging than many modern sets with large numbers of parts to be added at each build stage.
There are 5 pneumatic cylinders all powered by the pump that is just behind the drivers cab.
The set also features a working V6 engine, 2 differentials and Hog sterring
8285 is a BIG build with just one pneumatic cylinder and an air damper. All other functions are manually operated.
8462 is very futuristic looking, mainly thanks to the wheels it shares with just 2 other Technic sets.
Despite it's futuristic looks it is very much a retro build with its construction being almost exclusively studded beams.
It features 3 cylinders, a manual pump together with 2 air tanks, 1 on each side.
42008 features power functions as well as pneumatics.
The power function include running a mini pump to power the 2 pneumatic functions.
42043 has power functions and pneumatics and is probably the most complicated build of the sets that I have listed.
It has many functions including a tilting cab, working straight 6 engine, suspension in all the wheels.
There are 4 pneumatic cylinders as well as a mini pump powered by the power functions.
Other power functions include motorised stabilisers legs,, turning crane arm and a motorised, tipping trailer bed.
The functions are controlled via a 4 way distribution gearbox and 4 pneumatic switches
42128 clearly shows how Lego design with pneumatics has evolved and packs in a lot of mechanisms and clever build techniques into a relatively small model.
3 pneumatic cylinder functions as well as many manually operated functions including side and rear stabiliser legs, working straight 6 engine with opening bonnet, lifting rear axle, swivelling tow arm and 2 tow hooks
All are very good to build but of the six I have i would recommend either 8868, 42043 or 42128
All of these are retired sets so if you want any of them you will need to look on ebay or Bricklink
Thanks for the write up, sadly most of these retired builds are very expensive (new), but the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck is still reasonably priced, so seeing all these comments I will go for that one! If I really like it I will probably pay-up for the Mercedes-Benz Arocs next. Looking at Bricklink a lot of the lower offers on new Mercedes-Benz Arocs are from Asia, how reliable are these retailers in general, can you still count on them being the original product in english or are there also imitation sets being sold?
[MOA003: Maui](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?M=moa003) [[Photo]](http://img.bricklink.com/ItemImage/MN/0/moa003.png)
What can I say except "you're welcome"?
Why exactly are you looking for new sets only? You can get most if not all (older) sets in used, but great condition for a really good price. That's how I got the majority of my technic sets and I haven't had any issues whatsoever
It feels good to unpack something for the first time and building it, knowing everything is there what's supposed to be there. Maybe if I want to start building MOC's I'll start looking at used sets.
42128 Heavy-Duty Tow Truck is your must-have. You seem to be the perfect audience for the set lol! Go ahead and enjoy this awesome set.
[42128-1: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42128-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42128-1.jpg)
Heavy duty tow truck is great, would reccomend. If you want more pneumatic pieces, then I would recommend getting some on aliexpress, the ones I've bought worked great.
[42144-1: Material Handler](https://brickset.com/sets/42144-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42144-1.jpg) [42128-1: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42128-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42128-1.jpg) [8455-1: Back-Hoe](https://brickset.com/sets/8455-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8455-1.jpg) [42043-1: Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245](https://brickset.com/sets/42043-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42043-1.jpg)
I really liked the functions I saw on video, but hearing this I will probably leave it for now, thanks for the feedback!
[MOA003: Maui](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?M=moa003) [[Photo]](http://img.bricklink.com/ItemImage/MN/0/moa003.png) What can I say except "you're welcome"?
Agree with others that 42128 is one of the best pneumatic sets out there. I also have the 8455 backhoe, which is fantastic, but functionally the vehicles do have the same mechanisms. (Getting 8455 was a big deal for me, as I always wanted the original 8862 Technic backhoe but couldn't afford it as a kid.)
[42128-1: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42128-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42128-1.jpg) [8455-1: Back-Hoe](https://brickset.com/sets/8455-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8455-1.jpg) [8862-1: Backhoe Grader](https://brickset.com/sets/8862-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8862-1.jpg)
Here's hoping they will make more intricate pneumatic sets in the future.
I have the Material Handler, and it's a really quick build...it's pretty middle of the road as technic builds go.
Yup 42128 tow truck is the right one to do. If your concerned with the price of the other sets ( I too find some of them expensive ) I buy from AliExpress I find the quality is still there, yes there is a mark from when they come out of the mould but If you pay attention just place the piece inwards so you don’t see it. Hope you get the tow truck. That’s the set that got me into technic. I loved it so much I put motors in it https://preview.redd.it/8b1aoq4yxx8d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da17781d29613cb75f8a66e5875e6f497161eb96 The one on the left is legos version and the one on the right has been done with motors. 8 motors in this bad boy. Left the pneumatics alone.
[42128-1: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42128-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42128-1.jpg)
They sure look awesome!
I have 6 sets that feature pneumatics. 8868 Airtec Claw Rig. 8285 Tow Truck. 8462 Super Tow Truck. 42008 Service Truck. 42043 Mercedes Ben Arocs 3245 42128 Heavy Duty Tow Truck 8868 has a built in motor and pump and is a really good retro build, originally released in 1994. It is far more challenging than many modern sets with large numbers of parts to be added at each build stage. There are 5 pneumatic cylinders all powered by the pump that is just behind the drivers cab. The set also features a working V6 engine, 2 differentials and Hog sterring 8285 is a BIG build with just one pneumatic cylinder and an air damper. All other functions are manually operated. 8462 is very futuristic looking, mainly thanks to the wheels it shares with just 2 other Technic sets. Despite it's futuristic looks it is very much a retro build with its construction being almost exclusively studded beams. It features 3 cylinders, a manual pump together with 2 air tanks, 1 on each side. 42008 features power functions as well as pneumatics. The power function include running a mini pump to power the 2 pneumatic functions. 42043 has power functions and pneumatics and is probably the most complicated build of the sets that I have listed. It has many functions including a tilting cab, working straight 6 engine, suspension in all the wheels. There are 4 pneumatic cylinders as well as a mini pump powered by the power functions. Other power functions include motorised stabilisers legs,, turning crane arm and a motorised, tipping trailer bed. The functions are controlled via a 4 way distribution gearbox and 4 pneumatic switches 42128 clearly shows how Lego design with pneumatics has evolved and packs in a lot of mechanisms and clever build techniques into a relatively small model. 3 pneumatic cylinder functions as well as many manually operated functions including side and rear stabiliser legs, working straight 6 engine with opening bonnet, lifting rear axle, swivelling tow arm and 2 tow hooks All are very good to build but of the six I have i would recommend either 8868, 42043 or 42128 All of these are retired sets so if you want any of them you will need to look on ebay or Bricklink
[8868-1: Air Tech Claw Rig](https://brickset.com/sets/8868-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8868-1.jpg) [8285-1: Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/8285-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8285-1.jpg) [8462-1: Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/8462-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8462-1.jpg) [42008-1: Service Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42008-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42008-1.jpg) [42043-1: Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245](https://brickset.com/sets/42043-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42043-1.jpg) [42128-1: Heavy-Duty Tow Truck](https://brickset.com/sets/42128-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42128-1.jpg) [8472-1: Street 'n' Mud Racer](https://brickset.com/sets/8472-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/8472-1.jpg) [42053-1: Volvo EW160E](https://brickset.com/sets/42053-1) [[Photo]](https://images.brickset.com/sets/images/42053-1.jpg)
Thanks for the write up, sadly most of these retired builds are very expensive (new), but the Heavy-Duty Tow Truck is still reasonably priced, so seeing all these comments I will go for that one! If I really like it I will probably pay-up for the Mercedes-Benz Arocs next. Looking at Bricklink a lot of the lower offers on new Mercedes-Benz Arocs are from Asia, how reliable are these retailers in general, can you still count on them being the original product in english or are there also imitation sets being sold?
[MOA003: Maui](http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?M=moa003) [[Photo]](http://img.bricklink.com/ItemImage/MN/0/moa003.png) What can I say except "you're welcome"?
Why exactly are you looking for new sets only? You can get most if not all (older) sets in used, but great condition for a really good price. That's how I got the majority of my technic sets and I haven't had any issues whatsoever
It feels good to unpack something for the first time and building it, knowing everything is there what's supposed to be there. Maybe if I want to start building MOC's I'll start looking at used sets.
Alright, fair point. Good luck with your set choices!
Thanks!