Digging Deeper: Creative Alternate Builds for the LEGO Technic 42100-1 Liebherr R 9800 Excavator

Since its debut in 2019, the LEGO Technic 42100-1 Liebherr R 9800 Excavator has captivated builders with its astonishing scale, intricate gearbox functions, and Power Functions–driven realism. Yet the wealth of parts—over 4,100 elements including heavy-duty beams, large panels, and robust treads—opens the door to far more than a single super‐sized mining machine. Whether you’re drawn to classic construction equipment, futuristic droids, or even interstellar craft, the R 9800’s inventory can be reimagined in remarkable ways.

Imagine trading the massive boom and bucket for a multi-attachment tractor that can till, drill, or haul. Or repurposing the dual L-motors and servo bricks into a lifelike Johnny 5 robot that really moves. Enthusiasts have pushed these boundaries, crafting snow groomers for Arctic terrains, combine harvesters for endless fields, and even full-scale container handlers that rival their real-world counterparts. Others have leaned into pop-culture homages: one creator gives a mechanized WALL-E a Phantom Excavator chassis, while another tames the parts into a Terminator T-1 battlefield robot.

What drives these inventive MOCs (My Own Creations) isn’t just a surplus of parts, but a spirit of exploration—an urge to see how far you can stretch a single set’s possibilities. The R 9800’s heavy gears and high-torque motors lend themselves beautifully to all manner of tracked vehicles, but clever builders have also carved out scooting R2-D2 astromechs, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, and even space shuttle simulators. Each alternate build offers new mechanical challenges: recalibrating weight balance, rerouting power functions, or devising custom linkages to accommodate non-standard functions.

Whether you’re a seasoned Technic aficionado or a curious newcomer seeking inspiration, diving into these alternate models showcases the creative potential locked within a single flagship set. Below is a gallery of standout MOCs you can build using only the parts from 42100-1—complete with direct links to instructions so you can start building right away.

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Alternate Builds Gallery

RJ’s Lego Johnny 5
By RJBrickBuilds
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Liebherr PR 776 Dozer
By M_longer
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Model C: R2-D2
By Plaatart
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Skid Steer Loader
By M_longer
Get the instructions here.

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42100 C-Model: Case IH Quadtrac 620 with 6 Attachments
By lars_4444
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Backhoe Loader
By Janek_rysuje
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Snow Groomer (Alternate Model)
By grohl
Get the instructions here.

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WALL-E Phantom B-Model for Liebherr Excavator
By gubsters
Get the instructions here.

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42100 C-Model: Combine Harvester
By lars_4444
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Model B – Vibroseis Tracked Vehicle
By Nico71
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Model C – Tracked Carrier
By Nico71
Get the instructions here.

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MANIPULATOR CRAWLER
By KeisukeOmori
Get the instructions here.

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Space Shuttle Simulator
By Target86
Get the instructions here.

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Terminator 3’s T1 Battlefield Robot
By RJBrickBuilds
Get the instructions here.

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Snow Groomer (Pistenbully) – 42100 B-Model
By technicbasics
Get the instructions here.

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Tank – 42100 Model-B
By RoysylR
Get the instructions here.

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Motorized Excavator (42100 C-Model)
By klimax
Get the instructions here.

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ATTE and TX-225 from 42100
By RJBrickBuilds
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Model D – Container Handling Vehicle
By Nico71
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Model B: D-O Droïd
By Plaatart
Get the instructions here.

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42100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
By Dawid.Rylow
Get the instructions here.

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RJ’s Lego Johnny 5, ATTE & TX-225, and T1 Battlefield Robot
By RJBrickBuilds
Get the instructions here.

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With just one set of parts, you can traverse construction sites, battlefields, farms, and even distant galaxies. Which build will you tackle first?

 

Click here for more alternative builds and Modifications for this Lego set