LIEBHERR LR 13000
Challenging build but extremely good fun,had small problems but sorted eventually.A great model,and build,well done.
A centerpice for any Technic fan!
I just finished building the set and thoroughly enjoyed every step of the process. It’s definitely a challenging model—one that occasionally requires a bit of common sense, especially when working with the cable routing. The instructions can be a bit ambiguous in those sections, so some trial and error is to be expected.
Fortunately I was able to get this set on sale so factoring-in the discounted price, I would rate this set a solid 4.5 out of 5 (based on full retail price, I would drop my rating to a 3.5). The build experience, size, and functionality are incredibly impressive. However, I deducted half a point because I feel LEGO could have added a few more thoughtful details. For instance, a retractable ladder to access the operator’s cab would’ve been a great touch, and the engine room feels a bit unfinished and underdeveloped, especially given the scale and ambition of the model.
That said, the scale and engineering of the LR 13000 are truly remarkable. The use of the new large linear actuators and the Control+ system delivers a very satisfying play and display experience. It's a centerpiece for any Technic fan and a fun challenge for experienced builders.
Average, but easily extensible & thereby excellent
Someone else posted this “Lego and Liebherr should be ashamed”. Yes, I agree, Lego for cutting corners, and Liebherr for letting them get away with it.
BUT – and a big BUT – it is a fantastic model. Why? Because it is so easy to extend and build a real Liebherr crane.
So what is wrong? Well for a start look at the Lego crane picture and then look at the pictures on the Liebherr site. The main boom should be at 85 degrees, and the tie-rods to the top of the main boom under a steep angle. The jib should be able to go much more vertical. The model at that price should be at least 1.5m tall, not 1m. It needs at least 2 more sections on the main boom, and one on the jib. The scaling is off, i.e. the tracks are too high, the track drive wheels (front & back) too big, and Lego missed the opportunity to use a Lego person as a height guide. Why Liebherr was ok to put their name to this is beyond many of us.
Some say it is too expensive – I agree, but I bought it in January 2024 on a sale for 15% off and then it is the perfect price. Why? Because of the 2 controllers and the 6 motors, as well as the new parts dedicated to this model. Those motors and controllers are wickedly good.
I bought this model because I sensed it should be relatively easy to upgrade it and make it look like the real thing. I purchased 9 boom sections from Bricklink and 20, 16 stud tie-rods. Within a day we had extended the model with 9 sections to 2.19m tall. As expected, it was all floppy and was leaning left and right at the merest movement threatening to topple over. All of this was fixable in a day (!), but you need to have quite a stock of beams, pins etc. Without any gearing we got to the following:
1. Minimum throw 160mm
2. Maximum throw 1600mm
3. Needed 6 kgs of extra weight on the back, to lift 0.9kgs to 1.6m out
See pictures
What is good:
1. Motors, controllers
2. The ropes/string and the mechanism to hold them in place
3. The truss panels – you get a lot of progress with little work
What could have been done much better:
1. The join within each of the track panels. So flimsy and bad.
2. The tracks are loose on the wheels – and as a result slip dreadfully.
3. The software loses its calibration of the rope/string length all the time. Lego, would it be possible to make the software available for editing so one can fix it please?
4. The hook should have had at least 6 or 8 wheels, i.e. wheel 6321744 / 4185 with a freely rotating axel hole. And the same wheels in the jib head. What a missed opportunity.
5. The hinges for the main boom, and jib are terribly weak. So easy to fix though.
6. The jib and main boom wheel mechanisms should be shortened by two studs, to get a much better angle
7. The cabin has no seat for a Lego man, nor a Lego man, nor can a Lego man fit.
Suggestions:
1. Please make the rope / string available at 30m lengths
2. An extension kit with at least 3 more segments
3. Modification drawings to fix the cabin.
6 Stars!
This LR 13000 is an incredible build. The technical requirements involved with the motorization and functionality is super impressive. LEGO has quite an achievement with this engineering marvel. The build required a great deal of concentration and patience, but it was also straightforward and organized. Even the steps involving the intricate threading were very well detailed. All the crane functions worked correctly, too. The value is excellent - don’t view this on a price per piece basis. The crane is enormous - much bigger than you would think for 2800+ pieces. Plus, all the motors and battery packs are included, which also must be factored into the overall value of this set. Well done, LEGO!!!
Great crane
As great as this crane is the only issue I have is how tall this crane is, the real cranes main boom is a lot taller and could have had 2 more lattice sections added as well as the luffing jib too,
An impressive model
I give this model 4/5 stars. It was an exciting build and loads of fun to play with. I deduct a point for lack of fine details. I recall the Cat D11 and the R9800 had nice details such as an engine and ladders. I also found that while it is an incredible model, it didn’t have any advanced or intricate building techniques; which I always love to see. Lastly the price point, which I know everyone complains about… I understand that the costs associated with this model are high, however I feel the overall value of this set has not met its price.
Coolest LEGO set ever
I hesitated for almost a year before buying this due to the price. However, it has become more affordable now, so I finally decided to take the plunge and order it. I spent several hours putting it together, and the final stage involved some fiddling with the wiring, but I eventually got everything working perfectly. It's amazing how this model is constructed with the hubs and motors, and the winding/unwinding mechanism on the spools. It's fascinating to see and experiment with. Building it myself was a great challenge, even for a seasoned LEGO Technic fan. It's a lot of fun and a great way to spend time. LEGO has delivered the coolest set ever to me. It makes all the other sets I've built seem quite ordinary. Highly recommended!
Crane
Nice building experience
Awesome build
I loved building it and would love to see the bulldozer un_retired.
Liebherr crane
Excellent build fairly straightforward,over the course of 3 evening's job done
Very big, but love it
loved this build. and really enjoy displaying it. but just had to add a few more parts. :) and a few mods
Wonderful machine
Great to build and to play with. Everything is perfect.
Large crane from LEGO
It is a large box containing a lot of parts for building a large crane.
Liebherr 13000 is pretty darn good
While it doesn’t really look like the original with the luffing jib, it has lots of function. I added some steel counterweights and am able to lift a 1kg weight at full extension after adjusting the counterweights and elastics. I would like to unlock the end-points on all 3 lifting motore for personal adjustments and also add about 6 to 8 gantry sections to make this crane a real behemoth.
a recommendation
Very beautiful LEGO set, a challenge to build, the construction is like the original crane, everything works as it should, many hours of building fun.
Awesome finished product
This build is quite impressive when completed. There are a few spots during the build that require a lot of attention as the instruction photos are a little hard to decipher. I had to backtrack a couple of times but it was worth it. It’s amazing to operate all of the functions after completion.
very beautiful LEGO Technic
pleased to be surprised by this beautiful faucet
I like big cranes
To Lego:
(1). Thank you for the new pieces!
(2). More ballast please! Would be a great set for adding alternate instructions for an extended ballast.
(3). Would be great to attach a video of the crane in action to this review... it's alot of fun.
(4). This was the first set in which I found a deformed piece (#6348143). I am not the least bit upset... in fact it felt like finding a golden ticket. It's the first deformed piece out of thousands of thousands of pieces I've seen over 20+ years... that's some incredibly amazing quality control at your factories!
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To Reviewers and Raters:
(1). 18+ could be referring to age or years of experience building Lego. In general, the more expensive the set, the greater the challenge. If you want an easy build with perfect instructions, Duplo is a great place to start.
(2). If the instructions were perfect, it wouldn't be a challenge. Completing a challenging set such as this is a very rewarding experience. Going back steps to see where you missed a piece or getting the string configuration wrong and seeing how the build doesn't work is part of the challenge and increases the satisfaction of completing it. If you don't have patience, then difficult/expert Lego sets are probably not for you.
(3). Most importantly, this is Lego: if you don't like the instructions (or anything else about the build) then just do your own thing! The pieces are very versatile and you can do most most anything. For example, when I completed this set and discovered it couldn't lift the space shuttle, was that time to write a negative review about the crane being too weak? No! I saw one of the pictures in the instructions of one of the real world cranes with an extended ballast, so I tried building that and it worked. I had more fun trying to figure how how to do that than I did with the initial build.
(4). Please note in the picutre: this set does not come with a space shuttle or the pieces for the extended ballast platform shown in the picture.
Oldtimer Build
Wow, this is an amazing product, and I enjoy the build and am amazed at the size!
Noises tracks
Major complaint, NOISEY tracks that crack and pop as crane travels. Removed tracks and ran motors, worked fine and no noise, reinstalled tracks and lifted unit so no contact with ground, no noise while running. Placed crane on table or ground, ran under its own weight and tracks crack and pop while moving. This is why I gave it 3 star rating.