Review: 30433 Volvo Wheel Loader
Posted by CapnRex101,
Licensed creations have become commonplace within the Technic range, now involving smaller products alongside normal flagship sets. 30433 Volvo Wheel Loader seems particularly tiny and contains only 69 pieces, packaged in a polybag!
I am therefore wondering how many functions and accurate details this charming vehicle may accommodate.
Summary
30433 Volvo Wheel Loader, 69 pieces.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Despite its small size, this model includes ample detail and functionality.
- Familiar Volvo design features
- Excellent functions
- Good value
- No steering
The Completed Model
Volvo produces a selection of wheel loaders, including that which inspired 42030 Volvo L350F Wheel Loader during 2014. Identifying this example is quite difficult given its small scale, but I think the L220H or L260H are the most plausible options, based upon the general proportions and ladder positions of the LEGO rendition. Regardless, this model looks good.
The vehicle measures nearly 13cm long, including the bucket. That seems relatively substantial for a polybag and the predominant colour scheme of yellow and black is great. Inevitably, some colourful blue pins are included, although I think they can be excused in a little polybag and the yellow axles look perfect. Viewing the model from either side reveals conspicuous gaps though, which are uncommon in modern Technic sets.
Nevertheless, functions should be paramount in Technic sets and the wheel loader satisfies in that regard. A simple worm gear mechanism enables you to raise and lower the bucket arm by rotating the dial on top. The bucket angle can also be adjusted using a manual click hinge. The bucket element has actually been updated recently, now featuring strengthened plastic around the hinge.
Stickers are applied on either side of the bucket, while another two stickers decorate the rear bodywork. They look superb, but my favourite detail is the green 3x5 angle beam underneath that represents the distinctive Volvo engine! Limited options are available for the wheels when constructing a small vehicle and these are certainly not ideal, but their size is reasonable. The absence of steering is perhaps disappointing though.
Overall
I am impressed with 30433 Volvo Wheel Loader. Models like these are intended to introduce LEGO Technic to new potential fans and this design achieves an appealing balance between appearance and function, in my opinion. Perhaps the Volvo licence was unnecessary, but this does not detract from the model, nor increase its cost relative to other polybags.
The polybag is currently available in Asda stores in the UK, costing £3.50. I think that provides great value and hope the worldwide distribution is adequate throughout 2022 because this model is surprisingly enjoyable.
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39 comments on this article
I think a whole line of these would sell very well!
Neat!
Does it fit in the legendary bucket of 42030?
@bananaworld said:
"
Neat!
Does it fit in the legendary bucket of 42030?"
Yes!
This is great! I've got some little builders who this would be a good start for. Normally I pass over Technic sets since at the same price I'd rather just get something else, but this about right for me.
Definitely not bad for a polybag, and especially for that price you just can't really complain. Or can you? Because I do feel this is just one step too small. I mean, compare this to the mini-Claas: only slightly bigger, obviously more expensive and with more pieces, but so much better. The difference between an okay small set and a brilliant small set...
Nevertheless, if I would see it in a shop, I'd probably buy it. Maybe even more than one...
@Huw said:
"Nevertheless, functions should be paramount in Technic sets..."
I really wish this would still be true :(
I'm a big fan of the recent Technic polybags and smaller sets! They're great for pulling in kids (or Afols, for that matter) who aren't quite confident enough to start out with a massive crane. Always down for more Technic builders!
I was actually thinking recently about things like 42031 and 42088, I think it's a great idea to have consistent smaller Technic sets that just swap out colors every 5 years. Consistent production means younger/newer builders will always have access to a good build, and long-term builders get parts packs of new colors. Win-win!
I don't know why, but I love this polybag!
It's pretty cute overall, but the decision to put a wheel loader (famously rolling around on pretty chunky tires most of the time) on low-profiles isn't working for me.
You know, it might be a tiny polybag, but I still had to go and look at the instructions to work out how the scoop hinge was attached. I couldn't work out how there was an axel and a pin in the same space, turns out it's not an axle, it's another of those... two axles on a pin hole things. I have no idea what technic parts are called anymore.
A lovely little thing, probably my favourite of the polybags that have ended up in Asda's assortment for the year.
It really doesn't need to be licensed though, that's just silly. And emblematic of how the current technic team have gone all in on the idea that a license automatically makes a set better.
@Wavelength said:
"A lovely little thing, probably my favourite of the polybags that have ended up in Asda's assortment for the year.
It really doesn't need to be licensed though, that's just silly. And emblematic of how the current technic team have gone all in on the idea that a license automatically makes a set better. "
If being licensed took away from the set, I'd get where you're coming from. But if it doesn't cause any problems, I don't see how it's emblematic of anything
I love these technic polybags, I hope they make more! (And make them easier to find!!!)
@Rob42: As @Huw mentioned, there aren't a whole lot of options at this scale. Although they probably should have used black wheel instead of yellow, so it wouldn't be so noticeable.
Shame about the completely-out-of-place green part spoiling an otherwise quite nice model (for its scale).
@Graysmith said:
"Shame about the completely-out-of-place green part spoiling an otherwise quite nice model (for its scale)."
"...but my favourite detail is the green 3x5 angle beam underneath that represents the distinctive Volvo engine!"
Seems like it's adapting the green part from the actual vehicle
Volvo is Swedish, but this looks Swiss.
As mentioned these are at ASDA but I have also seen them at Tesco, and I believe larger Co-ops and Sainsburys will also have them if last years ones are anything to go by.
Why did this need to be licensed though? At this point the green 'engine' just detracts from the model because it only somewhat makes sense if you're familiar with the source material. At best it adds nothing to the model beside reference something if you know it. At worst it spoils the colour scheme and isn't self-evident.
@fakespacesquid said:
""...but my favourite detail is the green 3x5 angle beam underneath that represents the distinctive Volvo engine!"
Seems like it's adapting the green part from the actual vehicle"
Fair enough, but the real vehicle isn't completely open on the sides so here it just makes the model look worse, easter egg or not.
I like the idea of these Technic polybags. I hope I can find this one! Here in the US I never could find the helicopter (30465) from last year.
I really loved the helicopter polybag, last year, and I'm on the look-out for this one too.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @Rob42: As @Huw mentioned, there aren't a whole lot of options at this scale. Although they probably should have used black wheel instead of yellow, so it wouldn't be so noticeable."
There is the quite good option of part 92402, which also fits these rims. 30594 uses them, for example.
@Zordboy said:
"I really loved the helicopter polybag, last year, and I'm on the look-out for this one too."
Have been looking for the helicopter since it was listed here at brick set and have had no luck finding it, where did you pick your set up from any info be much appreciated.
@burra said:
" @Zordboy said:
"I really loved the helicopter polybag, last year, and I'm on the look-out for this one too."
Have been looking for the helicopter since it was listed here at brick set and have had no luck finding it, where did you pick your set up from any info be much appreciated. "
I picked one up from the Lego store at Dreamworld, but I haven’t seen any in the supermarket range of polybags that briefly appear.
@Rob42: I'm pretty sure those tires wouldn't fit on this model. Parts of the body look too close to the wheels to allow clearance.
Hmm, even the smaller sets get the "licensed" treatment. I'm not comfortable with that. I don't care if this small set is a Volvo or not. Why would I pay more for a name on a sticker? Don't I already pay for a premium brand toy?
@Kynareth said:
" @burra said:
" @Zordboy said:
"I really loved the helicopter polybag, last year, and I'm on the look-out for this one too."
Have been looking for the helicopter since it was listed here at brick set and have had no luck finding it, where did you pick your set up from any info be much appreciated. "
I picked one up from the Lego store at Dreamworld, but I haven’t seen any in the supermarket range of polybags that briefly appear."
I'm sure I've seen a couple in the Lego stands that pop up in the Post Office. I've found a few interesting Lego sets in those.
@Lego_lord said:
"Hmm, even the smaller sets get the "licensed" treatment. I'm not comfortable with that. I don't care if this small set is a Volvo or not. Why would I pay more for a name on a sticker? Don't I already pay for a premium brand toy?"
Apparently you don't pay extra for the Volvo brand. It's both advertising for Volvo, and making the set more attractive to buy, as I see it.
Anybody knows where this may be found in Belgium?
@Lego_lord said:
"Hmm, even the smaller sets get the "licensed" treatment. I'm not comfortable with that. I don't care if this small set is a Volvo or not. Why would I pay more for a name on a sticker? Don't I already pay for a premium brand toy?"
Who says you are paying more though because I am assuming this is the same price as every other polybag.
@TheOtherMike: Well, yeah, since the model wasn't designed with them in mind. It wouldn't be very difficult to do that though.
@Lego_lord:
The smallest licensed set I own is the Coca-Cola 6-pack. It’s a red 2x3 brick, six trans-clear 1x1 cones (plus one spare!), and a sticker sheet with two stickers to put the logo on the long sides of the brick. It was a Kabaya promo, and I think there were some Kabaya Coca-Cola polybags with even smaller piece counts.
This is great - proper pocket money price (compared to the small Legoland sets from the late 1970s / early 1980's which were stickered at 99p then - equal to over £4.50 now), high play value for the number of pieces included and best of all, its continually usable in the future when you move onto larger more complex sets. Yes, it looks a bit basic but anyone under the age of 10 will be using their imagination to make up play scenarios with the real machine - that is ultimately what Lego is all about and why I have enjoyed it on and off (mostly on!) for nearly 50 years...
Anybody know where I could get this in the US? I feel like it’ll be for retail in Walmart but I haven’t heard anything yet
I just really hate this small bucket with a single clip in the middle. It makes so many models of tractors and diggers look stupid trying to attach it onto a pair of digger arms. Make a smaller one if you want to make an excavator, and give this one two attachment points!
I’ve never had a Technic set outside of Bionicle and would love to pick this up if it comes to the US!
So if the lack of steering in a 4€ polybag is a con, what about all City sets? Just saying.
@R0Sch said:
"So if the lack of steering in a 4€ polybag is a con, what about all City sets? Just saying."
Functionality like steering is not an expectation for City sets, whereas I think this Technic model could perhaps have included basic articulated steering.