No. 8961

Power Miners

Crystal Sweeper

The Crystal Sweeper is a standout vehicle from the Power Miners theme.

Time on the shelf Retired

On sale Jan 2009 to Dec 2009

Before you buy

Who it's for
Ages 8+ · Intermediate build Perfect for LEGO fans who enjoy Technic integration and vehicle-based play with a touch of fantasy.
Build
474 pieces · about 4.5 hours Build time is an estimate.
Cost
Mid-range Next to other LEGO sets. Check the store for today's price.
Availability
Retired at LEGO
★★★★☆ 4.3 community rating from 141 ratings

Fans appreciate the Crystal Sweeper's unique drilling mechanism and distinctive color scheme, but some find the design somewhat repetitive. The set is generally well-regarded for its playability and display appeal, with the minifigures being a particular highlight.

📝 Our Take

The Crystal Sweeper is a standout vehicle from the Power Miners theme. Its bold lime green and orange color scheme, coupled with its unique drilling mechanism, makes it instantly recognizable and appealing. The set perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of the underground mining operations.

This set is perfect for LEGO fans who enjoy vehicles with moving parts and a touch of fantasy. The build provides a satisfying experience with Technic elements integrated for functionality. It's also a great display piece for collectors of the Power Miners theme.

Skip this if you prefer realistic vehicle models or sets with a focus on minifigure interactions. Consider other vehicle-centric themes like LEGO City or Speed Champions for more grounded building experiences.

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🧱 Building Experience

🧩
474
Pieces
⏱
4.5h
Estimated Build Time
📊
Intermediate
Difficulty
👤
8-14
Ages
Build Highlights:
  • Working drilling mechanism powered by Technic gears.
  • Unique color scheme with lime green and orange elements.
  • Integration of crystal elements to enhance the mining theme.
  • Sturdy construction suitable for play and display.

📖 About This Set

Hungry rock monsters are on the loose, gobbling up crystals and causing havoc underground. Unleash the Crystal Sweeper and get them first! This massive mining vehicle spins its auto-rotating harvester wheel to collect a huge cargo of crystals and drop them into its rear-mounted bucket. Use the side-mounted laser crane to drill through rock, or deploy the motorcycle and ramp for emergency escapes and rescues. Just watch out for the monsters and their double-launching catapult! Roll the vehicle to activate the rotating harvester and scoop up the crystals into the bucket! Extend the drilling arm and pivot into position! Includes 2 miner and 2 rock monster minifigures! Measures over 9" (22cm) long and 6" (15cm) wide!

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

Compared to other Power Miners sets, the Crystal Sweeper stands out due to its size and complex drilling mechanism. While sets like the Claw Digger (8959-1) offer similar play features, the Crystal Sweeper provides a more substantial building experience. Collectors might choose the Crystal Sweeper for its display value and unique color scheme.

4 Minifigures Included

The set includes unique Power Miner minifigures, including Duke with goggles, and several rock monsters like Glaciator and Meltrox. These minifigures are exclusive to the Power Miners theme and add to the set's collectible value.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count
474
Parts cataloged in this inventory
136 unique parts, 462 pieces
Minifigures
4

LEGO counts 474 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 476, including the 14 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

The Crystal Sweeper features a significant quantity of Lime Green elements, which can be valuable for MOC builders looking to add vibrant colors to their creations. The assortment of Technic beams and pins also provides useful components for functional builds.

🛒 Where to Buy

💎 Notable Parts

Orange Technic Beam 1 x 7 Bent (4 - 4) Thick (6x)
Lime Technic Wedge Belt Wheel [aka Pulley] (8x)
Lime Brick 2 x 3 (10x)
Black Brick 2 x 4 (16x)
Orange Technic Tooth 1 x 3 with Axle Hole [Rounded Underside] (24x)

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Heavier-duty mining vehicle with enhanced drilling capabilities.
🤖 Transform the Sweeper into a rock monster-fighting robot.
🏙 Futuristic construction vehicle for a LEGO City diorama.

📰 Power Miners News

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Building Instructions

3 booklets, as PDF

  1. 01 8961_X_8959 + 8961 Crystal Crawler Download PDF
  2. 02 BI 3005/48 - 8961 1/2 Download PDF
  3. 03 BI 3005/48 - 8961 2/2 Download PDF

Inventory Statistics

Inventory version 2

137 Unique Parts

474 Official Piece Count

462 Cataloged Inventory Pieces

4 Minifigures

14 Spare Parts

LEGO counts 474 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 476, including the 14 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

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