A blog for my hobby of LEGO Technic. This includes building and reviewing official sets, designing and building C models, MOCS (My Own Creations) and anything else related to LEGO Technic. This blog is not authorised by the LEGO group and is not affiliated with them in any way.
This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT), this is a front mount lift and carry hook.
This is mounted to my front mount attachment point, which is the standard mounting system I use for all my front mount attachments. It also features a "quick mount" system, which this allows this to be quickly attached and detached. As the knob on the top turns, the hook can be raised and lowered to move the load around.%20MK2%20-%20Front%20Mount%20Lift%20and%20Carry%20Hook%20(1).jpg)
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This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT) MK2, this is a rear mounted tine aerator. These are used at sports ground to aerate the soil, to allow water and fertiliser to get deep in to the soil.
This is mounted to the rear of the tray and uses the rear PTO to drive the axle, which has a pair of 3L thin beams, this rotates and causes the arms to go up and down, as it drives along. It also has a mechanism to lift the arms, to stop them going up and down as it drives along. I tried a few different methods to do this and found this one, which lifts the arms clear of the 3L thin beams to be the best.
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This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT), this is a front mount loading forks
This is mounted to my front mount attachment point, which is the standard mounting system I use for all my front mount attachments. It also features a "quick mount" system, which this allows this to be quickly attached and detached. As the knob on the top is turned, the forks can be raised and lowered.
This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT) MK2, this is a rear mounted Bulk Rubbish Loader Claw Arm.
This is mounted to the rear tray and also has a frame which attaches using my standard rear mounting points. The arm can be raised and lowered, the second stage can be locked in the fully up or down position, the claw can be opened and it finally can swing around. Overall this is roughly based on the claw attachment for LEGO Technic 8110 - Unimog U400.
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This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT), this is a front mount reel mower attachment. As this is pushed along, the wheels make the blades turn.
This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT) MK2, this is a front mount grader blade.
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After six months of hard use on the workbench (and a fair bit of “field” testing on the living‑room floor), the ORUT MK2 has earned a autumn makeover. These tweaks aren’t flashy—no wild colour swaps or mega‑suspension mods—but they make the truck sturdier, easier to accessorise, and generally nicer to build on top of. Here’s what changed and why.
The idea was sound: a rotating axle that threads through the middle of the tray and pokes out the back, ready to power anything you bolt on. In practice, every attachment needed its own gearing, alignment was fiddly, and the axle robbed cargo space. After a few trials with mowers and my rubbish bin loader, I realised each tool works better with its own compact crank. Removing the PTO freed up interior volume, simplified the driveline, and as a bonus, allowed me to solve the issue below.
Take‑away: decentralised power wins for small‑scale Technic implements.
That pesky half‑stud offset was a necessary evil while the PTO gear lurked under the bed; without it, the tray perched a touch too low, making attachments sit oddly and flex under load. Now that the rear hand driven PTO is history, I flipped the 5×11 frames, swapped the outer panels, and settled the tray down flush with the chassis rails. Stability shot up—and lining up add‑ons is a breeze.
Builder’s tip: when a half‑stud lift solves one problem, it usually creates two more. Eliminate the root cause instead.
The tilt‑forward cab looked cool and made engine gawking easy, but the hinge towers siphoned stiffness from both the cab and tray. Worse, the tilt introduced just enough slop to amplify steering wobble up through the HOG gear. I locked the cab to the chassis with two pin‑in‑axle connectors, braced the back wall, and added some more beams. The steering wheel now tracks straight even on big‑knob tyres, and the whole truck feels like one piece instead of a cab riding a skateboard.
Unexpected win: This allowed me to add the below front attachment point easier.
The last change is forward‑looking (literally). I’d sketched concepts for a snow blower, a dozer blade, even a mini crane arm, but the original bumper sat too low and too close to the steering rack. The new solution:
Re‑profiled bumper: I added some brackets for mounting attachments and also improved the look of the front end.
Twin Technic pin holes on the upper frame rails—spaced to accept the common 5L → 3L → 5L bracket pattern.
Reinforced front cross‑beam tying the steering tops together, so pushing a plough won’t tweak the steering.
Now the ORUT can accept clip‑on modules without dismantling half the nose—just pull two 3L with stoper pins, slide the tool in, pin, go.
Front‑mounted PTO: The hand‑driven rear PTO wasn’t ideal, but a short, engine‑driven PTO at the front (think Unimog style) could still be useful.
Quick‑swap tray decking: Swappable flatbed, tipper, and box‑body panels using the new level tray.
Attachments: I have a lot of ideas for future attachments.
As ever, the ORUT MK2 remains the mule for every half‑baked attachment idea I dream up.
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The LEGO MOC Shelby Cobra 427 S/C by Nahkriin is an impressive alternate build that transforms the 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica set into a faithful homage to one of the most iconic American muscle cars. With 561 parts, this model captures the essence of the Shelby Cobra's classic design and functionality.
Nahkriin's model successfully replicates the sleek, curvaceous lines of the original Shelby Cobra 427 S/C. Despite the constraints of using only parts from the 42161 set, the builder achieves a retro-styled body that evokes the charm of the classic roadster. The model features opening doors, trunk, and hood, with the hood equipped with a special holder to keep it open, allowing for display of the engine compartment.
Functionality is a standout aspect of this MOC. It includes a "hand of God" steering mechanism, maintaining the playability of the original set. The model also boasts a simulated V8 engine with moving pistons, driven by the rear wheels through a reduction gear. Notably, both rear wheels rotate together, unlike the 42161 set, and the absence of a differential does not negatively impact control.
Building this MOC offers a satisfying challenge, especially given the limitation of using only the parts from the 42161 set. The free building instructions are available in both .io and PDF formats, making the build accessible to a wide range of LEGO enthusiasts.
Nahkriin's Shelby Cobra 427 S/C is a remarkable alternate build that delivers both aesthetic appeal and functional features. It's an excellent choice for LEGO Technic fans looking to repurpose their 42161 set into a classic American sports car. Whether for display or play, this MOC stands out as a testament to creative building within constraints.
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This is a new attachment for my LEGO Technic Off Road Utility Truck (ORUT), this is a slasher attachment.
This is mounted to my multi-function lift and carry attachment point, which is the standard mounting system I use for all my attachments. It is driven via the PTO from the rear wheels and also features a locking feature to engage and disengage the drive from the PTO. It also has a knob on the side to raise and lower it, this uses a small LA..jpg)
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