LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck review 

It’s not often we review a LEGO set and hope it turns out to be a load of rubbish, but for LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck we’ll make an exception…

Based on the real-life Mack LR garbage truck, 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck is one of the more unusual offerings in the January 2024 LEGO Technic range. In case you’re wondering, the LR stands for low rider, so not only is this garbage truck an essential tool in keeping communities trash-free, it also looks good while doing it. This particular model is a side loader, meaning the rubbish is collected and deposited into the truck from the side, and then dumped out of the back, which tips up once back at the depot. Both these features are recreated here and are fully functional.

It’s not the first time LEGO and Mack have partnered up to bring fans a working replica of one of their vehicles, but it is the first time that the LEGO Group has produced a garbage truck in Technic form. With all the working components that garbage trucks have, they should lend themselves nicely to a Technic model. Let’s hope that assumption is correct – and for once, we’re hoping this particular set is complete trash…

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck set details —

Theme: LEGO Technic Set name: 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck Release: January 1, 2024

Price: £29.99 / $32.99 / €34.99 Pieces: 503 Minifigures: 0

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck —

LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck is available to buy from January 1, 2024 at LEGO Stores, LEGO.com and third-party retailers.

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck build —

Inside the box are 503 parts spread across four paper bags. The LEGO Group is making a conscious effort to increase the number of sets that do away with the old plastic bags in favour of the more eco-friendly paper bags, and if any set warrants their inclusion, it’s a refuse truck. There are still a few smaller plastic bags used for the fiddly Technic pieces needed to build the model, but it’s a massive step in the right direction.

The first stages of the build focus on constructing the chassis and framework of the truck. It’s actually more involved than first seems and is a very enjoyable section. The shape of the truck comes together quite quickly and it’s apparent from an early stage just where and what the mechanics of the set are going to be. Along with the side loader and back tipper, the front wheels can also be controlled.

The shaping of 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck is very effective, and the way the front of the windscreen hinges up to connect to the top of the truck’s cab and the way the cab’s doors hinge open are both great techniques. Clever yet simple parts usage is also employed throughout – the 1×2 drum-lacquered silver tiles used for the wing mirrors are particularly inspired.

Considering the recommended age for this set is 8+, the mechanism for the side loader is actually fairly complex. There are several gears and a lot of moving parts, but they come together in the cleverest and most satisfying way. Operating the side loader once attached to the truck is just as enjoyable to use as it is to build and is an inspired section of the model.

The body work is a little more standard and experienced Technic builders will be familiar with the various large panels that make up the truck’s body. Nonetheless, it still looks effective and comes together to form a very neat, compact little truck and the additional stickers help to add some nice detail to the finished look.

Despite its diminutive size the truck is packed full of features that are both fun to construct and an absolute blast to play with. The recycling bin connects perfectly to the side loader, the included ‘trash’ (a handful of 1×1 red and blue round tiles) is then dumped into the back, and a twist of a switch dumps them out the back again, falling out the back loader, where they can be loaded into the bin and the process is repeated. Trust us when we say you will be doing this a lot: it’s just so much fun. 

The final model looks great and although it’s not the biggest of models, 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck is still a very decent rendition of a real-life Mack bin lorry (to cross the Atlantic for a second). 

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck price —

LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck’s price feels just about right. Any more and it might start creeping into slightly overpriced territory. 

As it is, this is a set that offers up 500-plus pieces, a brilliant build experience, some creative techniques and wonderful play features. It also looks excellent – and all that for just under £30. Seems quite reasonable to us.

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck pictures —

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck pros and cons —

There’s really not a lot to criticise in 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck. It’s genuinely a brilliant entry in the Technic catalogue: creative, educational (sort of) and most importantly for a LEGO model, incredibly fun to play with. Expect to spend the same amount of time building the truck as you do playing with it afterwards, no matter how old you are. 

The features are so satisfying and fun that it just puts a smile on your face every time. Perhaps the only negative is the size, as a much larger garbage truck would have allowed for even more play features and functionality, but then the cost would have ballooned in turn – and there’s a lot to be said for keeping a model as fun as this as accessible as possible.

It’s trash, alright – but the right kind.

42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck pros	42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck cons
An incredibly entertaining build	A larger model would have allowed for even more functionality
Priced just right
Brilliant play features

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck —

LEGO and Mack have joined forces in the past to bring fans 42078 Mack Anthem, but that set has long since retired. So if you are looking for a Technic alternative that is still on the shelves then 42136 John Deere 9620R 4WD Tractor could be just the ticket, coming in at roughly the same size and price as 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck, albeit without quite the same level of functionality as the 2024 model.

If you’re happy to look to LEGO System, 60386 Recycling Truck is also available now. It comes with three minifigures and also has a nice level of functionality to it – although again, not as much as the brilliant 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck.

— LEGO Technic 42167 Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck FAQs —