More images have surfaced of the new Lego Technic Crane Truck that will be released later in the 2009. The model was on display at the 2009 Toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany and was snapped by an avid Lego fan. More images from Nuremberg can be found in the Brickshelf Album.

Lego also commissioned a large scale model of the truck, also built from Lego. From this we can obtain a better idea of some more of the features of the model.

The Crane Arm

Starting at the top it looks like the crane arm will extend manually by a small gear on the arm. The hook will also be controlled by a small gear near the joint on the arm.

The crane arm it’s self will be controlled from small leavers on the lower bit of the model. This will involve some complex gearing to move the energy through the rotating arm. Within the arm will be 2 Technic Linear Actuator (part 91627c01). It seems Lego have now abandoned the older pneumatic style cylinders.

On the left hand side of the model we have a small box where we can control the turntable under the crane. Turn left and right.

Right hand side control box we can lift and lower the main joint at the top of the boom, and also the knuckle joint. This must require very complex gearing.

Left Hand controls	Right Hand Controls

The Truck Chassis

Moving to the middle of the model, the front wheel steering will be controlled by a small black knob on the top of the mid section. This section will also hold the battery box. Early images of the packaging indicate that model will come with one M-Motor, switch and battery box.

At the front of the model it features a tipping cab. Under the cab we find the 8 cylinder engine - presumably linked to the rear wheels. This must be one of the first models where the engine is actually covered up – normally you can see the engine working.

As said earlier, only one motor comes with the kit. This must mean a large gearbox inside the model to control some of the crane functions.

From this image it looks like their may be some new steering system involved. There’s a mysterious red pin sticking out just above the wheel. I’ve not seen this arrangement before.

The cab it’s self looks fairly static and may include new body panels.

The rear of the model looks uneventful. We’ll probably see custom built trailers appearing a few months after the model is released that take advantage of the 5th wheel coupling.

The Stabilizers

The stabilizers look rather flimsy, and there’s a chance they’ve been built incorrectly in this model. It looks like they may extend out of the model via some rack and pinion gearing – either manually or from the motor. Once extended, more small gears to extend the legs downward. It doesn’t look like the stabilizers will be as strong as on other cranes where the legs actually lift the model up (such as the Pneumatic Crane Truck). One thing is interesting is that it seems the design for the stabalizer legs has changed from early versions. This echo's my earlier stament that it's possible the model has been built wrong in these photos.

New Photo	Original box photo

So in summary:-

• 8 Wheels
• 2 wheel steer
• 8 cylinder engine
• 3 Part crane arm with manually extending job
• Manually controlled hook raise and lower
• 4 Manually controlled stabilizers
• Tilting Cab
• 1 battery box and switch
• 1 M Motor
• 2 linear actuators
• 1 large turntable

This model is going to be a very complex build!