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Set 855 Mobile Crane
Expert Builder

Mobile Crane

Dating from 1978, the Mobile Crane 855 is one of the earliest large sets in the Expert Builder line that went on to become Technic. It is built from 511 pieces in yellow, light grey, red and black.

Set number
855
Year
1978
Pieces
511
Minifigures
0
Theme
Expert Builder
Different parts
90
What can I build with it?

Parts list 90

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 (8)

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

Description

A crane with a history

When this set appeared, the idea of building working machines from gears, axles and bricks with holes was still new. At 511 pieces, the Mobile Crane was a sizeable undertaking for the time, and cranes make an ideal subject for demonstrating mechanical principles. Leverage, gearing and load are much easier to grasp once you have built a machine that relies on them. For collectors interested in the origins of Technic, this set represents the line in its first few years.

The building experience

Studless beams were still years away in 1978, so everything here is built from studded bricks with holes, plates, axles and gears. If you know classic bricks, the technique will feel familiar, and it produces compact, blocky shapes with a real sense of solidity. The 511 pieces come from 90 unique parts, meaning many elements repeat, which keeps the build organised and makes pre-sorting quick. There are no minifigures, so the crane stands on its own.

The 955 connection

A year later the catalogue lists the Mobile Crane 955, and the figures are almost the same: 512 pieces instead of 511, again 90 unique parts and the same four main colours. If you own a loose crane and are not sure which one it is, comparing the parts list on this page with the one for 955 is the most reliable approach. The single-piece difference should show up clearly once the inventories are side by side.

Old greys, bright yellow

Yellow dominates, supported by light grey, red and black. The grey is the older shade produced until the mid-2000s, so parts in modern bluish grey will stand out if you use them as replacements. The parts list shows the exact colour of every piece, which helps when restoring a set of this age. And if you are more interested in new builds than restoration, What can I build? suggests other models your parts can go towards.

FAQ

How old is the Mobile Crane 855?
It was released in 1978, making it one of the early Expert Builder sets.
How can I tell 855 and 955 apart?
Their catalogue data differs by a single piece. Comparing the two parts lists on this site is the clearest way to see what sets them apart.
How many unique parts does 855 have?
There are 90 unique parts across its 511 pieces, and no minifigures.

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