Home Welcome Reviews Editorials/Press Reference Shopping Mall Links Photo Archive Search Contact
Volvo A60H Articulated Hauler

Maker:  Lego Technic
Model No:  42114
Scale:  1:20 approx
Review Date:  October 2020


Plastic Systems Index
Mining Equipment Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Individual ratings are not given for non-diecast model Reviews
Packaging    
Detail    
Features    
Quality    
Price    
Overall    

Footnotes


Lego Technic Volvo A60H Articulated Hauler Video. [Youku video]
Lego Technic branded box.
Nice tyres.
Loaded with cork rocks.
 
Small stickers add detail.
Opening hood.
Maximum tipping angle is compromised.
Load tipped.



The Volvo A60H Articulated Hauler is Volvo's largest machine of this type, and it was introduced at Bauma 2016.   It has an operating weight of 43.4 tonnes unloaded, and can carry a payload 55 tonnes. 

This model of it is built in the Lego Technic system, and it is controlled by using an App on a smart phone.

Scaled from the overall length it is approximately 1:20 scale.

Packaging

The model comes in a large Lego Technic branded box which encloses another box and numerous bags of parts. 

The review model had no defects. One small part was missing, but it was not critical to completion of the model.

There are a few details about the real machine printed on the box. 

A substantial manuals is provided and it guides the building of the model through 691 steps.  All of the steps are pictorial, with no writing.  The build is not difficult in terms of the individual steps, but precision and accuracy is required, as any error may not manifest itself until later in the build making it difficult to correct. 

There are four distinct stages of construction, and each stage has the parts contained within bags marked with the stage number.  Frustratingly though there is no apparent logic to the inclusion of parts in one bag or another so time is spent hunting the parts for any given build step.  Sticker sheets are provided to apply the graphics.

The motors and control hub are added during the various stages.  There is little information about installing the necessary app onto a smart phone but in practice it is easy enough to obtain the Control+ app from the Google Play store or elsewhere.  6 AA batteries are required to power the model and these are not included in the box.

The app is very good. It updates the firmware in the hub and calibrates the model.

To build the model takes around 10 hours at a reasonable pace.

Detail

The wheels are a reasonable representation of the real machine and the large rubber tyres have a good tread pattern. 

Underneath, the structure is modelled to suit the functionality and is therefore a compromise in terms of detail compared to the real machine.

At the front the curved shape is modelled well within the limits of the Lego system.  Side grilles and the badge at the front are formed by stick-on graphics. Some of the lights are modelled with clear lenses. The engine is modelled with a number of differently coloured components.

The cab does not have windows but it has a seat and steering wheel and graphics add further detail.  The roof shape is captured well, and orange grab rails and hand rails are provided.  Large mirror assemblies and a large beacon light are modelled. 

Behind the cab the Lego Technic control box has been mounted and electric cables to the Lego motors are placed to reflect the hydraulic hoses which cross the pivot point.  I other respects the modelling of the pivot point is compromised by the Lego system. 

The dump body has the shape modelled well and very nice rear light clusters.  The large mud flaps hanging from the front have not been modelled.  The lift rams are shorter than the real machine presumably because a standard Lego Technic system part is used.  Graphics add detail to the dump body.

Features

At the front, the engine cover can be raised and it can be propped open. There is a fold down section and it also has a fold down step.

The side mirrors can be rotated.

The model is controlled by the Control+ app on a smart phone.  Once built the model is calibrated through the app so that the app knows the model's position and limits on the rams.  The hub in the model is switched on using a neat method by turning the beacon light.

The functionality is very good.  Forward and reverse motion is three speed, and this functionality is provided through a complex gearbox.  Slow speed is fine, but a higher top speed would have been nicer.  The model has very good climbing ability up a gradient.

Steering across the pivot point achieves a moderate angle and the overall turning circle is relatively large. The steering wheel inside the cab rotates to reflect the steering movement.  The pivot point allows some longitudinal rotation.

A cam shaft under the engine is connected to the drive system and, with the hood lifted, heads move up and down driven by the cam shaft.

The dump body can be raised and lowered at realistic speed, and it can be held at any intermediate position.  The model can tip a load but the use of lightweight 'rocks' is advisable.

Sound effects are provided through the smart phone and these are very good.

In addition to a standard control screen, an alternative method is also provided which allows the movements of the machine to be controlled by dragging a graphic on screen. 

The app also has other options such as recording achievements.

Quality

The Lego parts are of the expected very high quality and the fit of the parts including the working mechanics is excellent.

Price

It is good value for a large and complex model.

Overall

This is a good looking representation of the Volvo A60H and in some respects it is amazingly complex with a working 3-speed gearbox.  It is an interesting model to build.

Footnotes

It was first appeared in mid 2020.
 
Fat manual, sticker sheet and a few of the parts.
Profile view.
Underneath.
The cab.
Big wheels.
 
Chassis detail.
The model next to a 1:50 scale diecast version.