Customer reviews from LEGO
LEGO - Technic Mack Anthem 42078
Average customer rating
4.6
(63 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 63 reviews
5 Stars
47
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Star
1
90%of customers recommend this product.
(
57 out of
63)
Customer Reviews for LEGO - Technic Mack Anthem 42078
Customer Rating
5
The Garbage Man Can
on January 7, 2018
Posted by: MasterBuilder84
As the title implies, I bought this set solely for the front-loading garbage truck model. For being a 2-in-1 set, I was very impressed. A few corners were cut to keep the piece count reasonable. But as it stands, you will have a lot of pieces left over if you build the garbage truck model. Based on the stickers/instructions, it’s obvious the Mack Anthem is the star of the show, as the Mack LR (garbage truck) instructions a) are only available online, and b) instruct you to put a few stickers on that really aren’t applicable to a garbage truck.
Word of advice to other future garbage truck builders: Do not bother trying to open the pieces in the order the bags are numbered. The numbers apply to the Anthem model only. Parts you need early on will be spread among all the bags. Save yourself time and headache and open all the bags from the get-go.
I was impressed with how sturdy the truck is, even just the chassis. Other large Technic vehicles, like the Mercedes Arocs, seem to have a bit more flex to them. I was also impressed on how smooth the compactor/ejector operates, as well as the fact that it slides the whole length of the hopper. It would be nice if controls for the compactor/ejector would have been provided on both sides of the truck, as are provided for the lifting arms. I also would have liked different gearing for the lifting arms, as the linear actuators are quite slow to operate. I think pneumatics would have been better, but would have been much messier in design, with all the necessary hoses. The locking control for the lifting forks is nice, but unfortunately prevents the forks from being able to fold up all the way, like they would on a real truck. I did make a design that would allow the forks to fold more, but unfortunately, does not lock the forks into place (the locking is needed to keep the dumpster from flopping-over when the arms are emptying the dumpster into the truck).
While I prefer the traditional Lego Technic piston engine, the 6-cylinder design for this set is an ingenious compromise, given the limited amount of space. An interesting piece was used for the engine fan. It feels kinda flimsy and looks a little odd, but is nearly completely hidden once the cab is fully-assembled. It would have been nice if the cab would have had operable doors, but there’s already a lot of moving functions, in addition to limited space.
I was pleasantly surprised at the smaller details included on the truck:
- Dual [non-functioning] steering wheels in the cab (not sure why they have two different logos in the center of the wheel)
- Realistic bulldog "brick"
- Spot lights on the sides of the truck
- Lots of warning/taillights on the rear tailgate.
- Highly detailed exhaust system
- Dual [non-functioning] steering wheels in the cab (not sure why they have two different logos in the center of the wheel)
- Realistic bulldog "brick"
- Spot lights on the sides of the truck
- Lots of warning/taillights on the rear tailgate.
- Highly detailed exhaust system
I do wish the garbage truck would have had a few more model-specific stickers, like some of the standard warning placards found on the rear of most real garbage trucks.
The dumpster is a little disappointing, as it’s a miss-match of extra pieces. IMO, it looks better if you leave the stickers off.
I did make one small improvement. For the hatch door on the roof, I used a few of the extra pieces to help close some of the gaps in the original design. I did also have to swap out a couple of the pieces from the dumpster (the guides that the lifting arm forks slide into) in order to make the colors match on the roof of the truck (see photos).
Criticisms aside, it’s a great value for the money, and a great addition to any Technic truck collection.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
4
A Breath of Fresh Air
on January 6, 2018
Posted by: Shallot
Over the years, I've felt Lego Technic slipping in quality, and it's large models aren't as intricate as back in 2005-2013. Each Technic now just feels either lazily done, or more about how it looks over it's functions. But this set is an exception (along with the Porsche). This reminds me of 8285, the Tow Truck back in 2006, only much better improved. The cab has no holes to expose the interior, and with what holes it has, it's covered as much as it could be with LEGO limitations, where most models nowadays are riddled with holes making them all look unfinished. And I really love the custom made engine block. First time I've ever seen that, and I would love to see V-6's and V-8's custom made, if possible of course. The trailor also reminds me of 8285's secondary model, but again, much better improved. For the most part. I still cannot get past the new, unnecessary new pieces, such as the red gears. And of course the out triggers could've been custom made like 42009, Mobile Crane MK II (which I personally think is the last, best makeshift model). You've done it before, and it was outstanding, and instead of continuing that, you made these unnecessary, bulky... eugh. And not as many functions as past models, but at least the functions aren't made like all these newer models where you need to switch to one gear to get the other ones working. That's SOOO lazy. But I digress.
All in all, this set IS a breath of fresh air, and it's really fun to build, and the end result is fantastic. Despite my gripes, I'm very certain Technic fans will love this one.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
4
Great buy
on January 1, 2018
Posted by: Doc1984
I picked this up today and although it only took 3-4 hours it was a fun build and is great value for money.
My only criticism would be that when the container is full off the rig the sheer weight is almost too much for the arms and plastic chains to handle. It takes a bit of force to turn the cog to get it back up (not ideal for motorising).
All in all a great set.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
5
Awesome
on January 1, 2018
Posted by: Tacotime
I really was wanting this to come out I saw the leaked photos
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
5
Excellent 2018 addition
on January 1, 2018
Posted by: MarvinBrickLayer
It was cool to see this offering for 2018, a big fan of technic trucks. I also have the Acros Truck too and it would be good to compare the two The build was straight forward but it took some time. The most intense part was building the cab, there were a lot of small parts for it construction.
Comparing it against the Acros, there are two main differences, one is the control of the vehicle. The Mack control system is more stable than the Acros, where the Acros system gives you the feel it was going to break based on the tension being applied.
the accessibility to the engine is relativity the same as the Acros.
Comparing it against the Acros, there are two main differences, one is the control of the vehicle. The Mack control system is more stable than the Acros, where the Acros system gives you the feel it was going to break based on the tension being applied.
the accessibility to the engine is relativity the same as the Acros.
I was initially disappointed with the engine in the Mack, using standard pieces to build the cylinders rather than the engine mimics as in other products. But after building it I was quite happy with the turnout, gives you a nice clicking sound and is the right size.
I find the hitch to be strong in the Mack, the Acros kept falling off during the drive. What I do not understand is the insertion of the bed in the cab with no easy access to use it.
The mechanisms for the cargo hold is nice, I think it was best not to include the motors, the movement is overall very strong and stable through the whole process.
While I like the pumps and motors, the can complicate the design
For playing, I find the engine hood to be sensitive with part easily falling off.
The mechanisms for the cargo hold is nice, I think it was best not to include the motors, the movement is overall very strong and stable through the whole process.
While I like the pumps and motors, the can complicate the design
For playing, I find the engine hood to be sensitive with part easily falling off.
As with Acros, I have some parts missing.
now on to the garbage truck... :-)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
5
Mack Anthem
on December 27, 2017
Posted by: hooky
I have built many Technical vehicles but as far as I'm concerned this truck is by far the best value for money and build experience. As far as looking like a real vehicle this wins hands down.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO
Customer Rating
5
on December 26, 2017
Posted by: turtlefee
Fun build and very neat offloading mechanism. Substantial display set, yet fun for your children to play with. It's very easy to dislodge the antennae, so you may want to put them aside when not displaying.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting LEGO