#6361 Mobile Crane

I got the #6361 Mobile Crane in February of ’89, but it had been released by LEGO already in 1986. Back in those days the sets were available for so much longer compared to now.

Instructions start with the minifig and a six step sub-build for the container…

…quickly followed by the main build of the truck itself. The wheels are not meant to be added until step 10, but I couldn't be bothered to remove them all.

It turns out to be really hard getting the white-balance and contrast of black LEGO bricks right when trying to photograph the build using only natural light from a window and some improvised reflectors.

The yellow LEGO bricks look really good in pictures though!

After building the controls for the crane in a little sub-build, we put the cab in place with another sub-build.

I really like the boxy windscreen, and the jumpers on top for the warning lights not only make the cab look neat. They also provide a narrow gap to subtly hold the crane in place when folded down, so that it doesn't swing over to the sides when driving.

Instructions for building the crane arm — Crane arm sub-build

The built crane arm, not yet attached — Crane arm sub-build

The crane arm and its base are built in two separate sub-builds, then combined into a single unit that is attached to the turntable.

Instructions for building the base of the crane arm — Crane arm base sub-build

The built base for the crane arm, not yet attached — Crane arm base sub-build

The raised crane holding the container mid-air

The finished mobile crane gives a sturdy impression despite the body being only 4 studs wide. It handles well when playing and also when posing the vehicle with the container hanging mid-air in your Lego city — the extending supports really do provide the required support for this.

The crane in retracted position, next to the container

My only disappointment is that the extending supports on the sides can’t be fully retracted into the sides of the truck, so technically this is a 6 studs wide vehicle… but let’s not be picky, I think it’s a great set that I enjoyed building again!