Yesterday morning, I woke with some e-mails from Ryan, about 2H sets news.
We then agreed he will write a post, that I'll publish here later at TBs 
.
It is the first time we do here such kind of collaboration and I wish we may get a new direct contributor one of these days... 
Now let's see which news, Ryan has to tell us. 
LEGO's official website lists the new TECHNIC sets for the second half of 2009. The site also mentions their partcount, shows more (hi-res) pics of the models and also has pictures of the respective B-models.
For the 8258 Crane Truck and 2009 TECHNIC flagship there is also a 360 degree animation available. It is possible to stop the animation so you can take a closer look at the back of the model.
There is not yet sign of set 8063 (Tractor with Trailer) at LEGO.com, however one reader here (Nomad) commented a few days ago, to have seen it at the 2H Australian catalog [1].
Let's take a closer look at the new images and make a synopsis of the information that has been available for the past months.
8263 - Snow Groomer
S@H link:
http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8263&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US
Number of pieces: 590
Estimated retail price: 49.99 US$ / 39,99-44,99€ (refer to S@H, for specific country price)
Price per part: € 0.08
B-model: Arctic Tracker
Looking at the pictures it is clear to see the set makes use of the new panels, that are meant to replace panels
#20,
#21,
#22 and
#23. The panels available in this set are in black and red. The ribbed back of the panels are used to form the shovel in the front of the groomer.
From the pictures, this set also includes the new 'Axle Joiner Perpendicular 3L' (
63869) as well as the T-beam, both in light bluish grey.
The set also does not use any stickers, which is an absolute plus.
On the pictures it is hard to tell, but it seems the treads, that were introduced in the 2007 Snowmobile (
8272), are in black (the same used in
7645 Mars Mission set from 2008).
The groomer seems to have two geared functions: lifting and lowering the back shovel and moving the front shovel to the left and right. The knobs to move these functions are situated behind the cabin.
The B-model, a snow expedition vehicle clearly shows this set also uses the new H-shaped beams that first raised our attention in some of the new 2009 Bionicle sets and the
8258 Crane Truck. The snow expedition vehicle seems to have only one function, tilting the dumpster in the back. The knob to arrange this is situated on the top of the cabin.
8265 - Front Loader
S@H link:
http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8265&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US
Number of pieces: 1061
Estimated retail price: 79.99 US$ / 79,95-99,99€ (refer to S@H, for specific country price)
Price per part: € 0.08
B-model: Forrest Machine
The great thing about this set is that is uses three Linear Actuators and re-introduces the bucket that was last used in set
8455 (Back Hoe Loader) in 2003, and
8439 (Front End Loader) in 2004.
Unfortunately the set uses stickers, even though only one picture on LEGO.com shows the model with the stickers applied. There seem to be only 4 stickers used in this set.
The design was by
Markus Kossman, who is known for his yellow construction vehicles and his preference to combine studded and studless beams. Kossman was also responsible for sets
8421 Mobile Crane and
8275 Bulldozer.
The set makes use of the new H-shaped beams (
64178,
64179) that only seem to exist in light grey at the moment. It uses the tires also used in
8295 Telescopic Handler as well as a V-6 Engine. The new differential is used in the front of the model, but I have been told it is also present in the back, making this a 4WD!
The model makes use of a driving ring and the gears for this (mainly 16t gears with and without clutches) are located below the cabin. The switch to change functions is located right next to the cabin. The knob to set things in motion is at the back of the loader. This set also makes use of the new
3L Universal Joints. My guess is it uses at least 4.
The B-model is a Forest Logger that appeared in several sets as a main model, for instance sets
8040 and
8044 Pneumatic Universal sets and as a main model in set
8443.
This model is rather disappointing, using only one LA and despite the V-6 engine looking rather empty. The crane at the end of the arm is moved with a worm gear and the knob to lower and raise the arm is situated right next to the LA. The lower part of the arm can only be moved by moving a knob right next to it. No gears whatsoever.
The cabin and arm seem to able to rotate, which is a nice extra. Still, this is a rather quick effortless attempt to make a B-model.
Most likely there won't be any printed instructions in any of the 2H2009 sets.
8258 - Crane Truck
S@H link:
http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8258&LangId=2057&ShipTo=USNumber of pieces: 1877
Estimated retail price: 149.99 US$ / 149,99-189,95€ (refer to S@H, for specific country price)
Price per part: € 0.08
B-model: Duty Wrecker
This 2009 flagship model and a personal favorite was designed by Uwe Wabra, also responsible for the exquisite and very realistic looking
8285 Tow Truck. Funny thing is, both
8285 and
8258 have the exact same amount of parts, 1877.
The model uses and XL motor, a power switch and has a 4-way transmission to control two LA's in the crane, the outriggers and the rotation of the crane.
New parts include the new panels, also used in
8263, the new H-shaped (
64178) and rectangular shaped (
64179) grey beams, new TECHNIC 'Axle Joiner Perpendicular 3L' (
63869) and new studless gear racks (rumored to be 11L and 13L).
The set will be about as big and wide as the
8285 Tow Truck, making these excellent brothers. Unfortunately the set uses many stickers, on about every panel available. Also the color scheme, reminiscent of the messy looking chassis of set
8274 with a mix of light grey, yellow and red. Yet, the cabin and overall look of this Crane Truck are excellent.
LEGO.com also provides us with a 360 degree animation that can be stopped to take a closer look at some angle we hadn't seen before. The cabin can be lifted to expose the V-8 motor. A remarkable discovery when stopping the animation at the backview is that the beams of the outriggers are place above each other and not next to each other, making use of the new T-beams.
The truck has a double steering function and seems to be using a lot of different (clutched) gears.
The B-model, a Tow Truck with Trailer is a pretty nice model, reminding me of the B-model of the
8289 Fire Truck. Nice feature is that the trailer can stand on its own. A rather looking model, especially the truck itself, even though it does not have as many functions as the main model.
Very good post Ryan. Thanks!
Edit:
The new models are now available for ordering from S@H, at some European countries too.
Last Update: 2009.Jul.01 06:24 GMT
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