How many pieces are in set 8438?

The set has 847 pieces made up of 156 distinct parts.

Does it come with minifigures?

No, like most Technic sets it has no minifigures.

Which grey does this set use?

It uses the older light grey rather than the bluish grey introduced shortly afterwards. Keep that in mind when sourcing replacement parts.

Technic

Pneumatic Crane Truck

Set 8438 is a 2003 Technic crane truck with pneumatic functions and 847 pieces. It shares its name with the 1995 set 8460 but is a separate design.

Set number: 8438
Year: 2003
Pieces: 847
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Technic
Different parts: 156

What can I build with it?

Parts list 156

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (3)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Description

Same name, different model

It is easy to confuse this set with 8460 from 1995, since both are called Pneumatic Crane Truck. The data shows they are distinct: 847 pieces against 863, and 156 distinct parts against 162. The colour scheme, on the other hand, is almost the same, with black, light grey, yellow and white in both. If you own both or are deciding between them, compare the two inventories on their respective pages to see which elements they share and which are unique to each one.

Air-powered lifting

Pneumatics are the headline feature here. The general principle is the same across Technic pneumatic sets: a pump builds pressure, hoses carry the air, valves direct it and cylinders turn it into movement. On a crane, that means you can raise a boom smoothly without a long train of gears. It is also a neat, hands-on way to understand how hydraulic machinery works, even though air replaces oil in the model. That makes the set a good talking point with younger builders.

A set on the cusp

2003 was a transitional year for Technic. Studless liftarms were becoming more common, but studded beams were still widely used. The colours tell a similar story: the set still uses the old light grey that was replaced by bluish grey shortly afterwards. As a result, the parts look very much of their time when mixed with later sets. If you care about a consistent look, keep the old and new greys separate when sorting.

Using the parts

With 156 distinct parts, including the pneumatic components that many Technic fans value for their own designs, the set is a good parts source even if you do not keep the truck assembled. Enter your inventory in the What can I build? tool and it will show which other sets you can already complete or nearly complete. Construction vehicles from the same years often share a large share of their parts, so a second model may be closer than you think.

FAQ

How many pieces are in set 8438?: The set has 847 pieces made up of 156 distinct parts.
Does it come with minifigures?: No, like most Technic sets it has no minifigures.
Which grey does this set use?: It uses the older light grey rather than the bluish grey introduced shortly afterwards. Keep that in mind when sourcing replacement parts.

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