It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! With over 3600 parts and a footprint of 100 cm (40 inch) by 86 cm (34 inch) and a height of 46 cm (18 inch), this GBC is one of the bigger GBCs we have ever created so far. It is way bigger than the original LEGO model and it features multiple GBC modules which all work together in harmony to make a full loop so the ball flow will never end. This GBC is entirely built using only parts from the LEGO Liebherr R 9800 and can be referred to as Alternate Build of the 42100. When building this GBC makes sure you master the GBC building techniques and tricks so that you eventually also can build your own GBCs. The whole machine is powered by multiple LEGO motors which comes with the LEGO 42100 Set.
You are part of the machine!
Multiple motors, gears, mechanisms and a GBC Ball Dozer work together to create what we call a truly Power Pit Mania!
With final dimensions around 86 cm (34 inch) by 100 cm (40 inch) and a height of 46 cm (18 inch) this is for sure a really really big build.
The aim is to keep the GBC Ball flow going and you are being a huge part of that. By controlling the GBC Ball Dozer you can move and push the GBC Balls along everywhere you want them to go.
Navigate them around the obstacles and lead them to the Loading Deck. From there the Wheel Loader Module will take over and rotate the GBC Balls up. Next they will be guided on a Long Conveyor Belt after which they are being dropped on top. A Flip Flop mechanism will split the GBC Balls going left and right. Optionally you can put the GBC Funnel Turbo Spin – Right upfront here.
Going left the GBC Balls will go down a long slide with multiple corners. In the end the Wiggle Slide Module will increase the randomness of GBC Ball dropping zone in the Power Pit. Optionally you can put the GBC Funnel XL – Right in place here.
After the Flip Flop mechanism, going right, the balls will go to the Bucket Tilt Module which can hold many GBC Balls. A rotate mechanism will evenly distribute the GBC Balls over the complete width of the bucket. The tension of not knowing exactly when the bucket will tumble is exciting and worth the wait. Once it tilts over the drop is epic and the GBC Balls fill the Power Pit again in a rush. Expect the unexpected!
This brings the GBC Balls back to you which you have to push around in a never ending job. Fun and satisfying all together. What else could you wish for ;)
(Don’t have enough GBC Balls? You can modify or disable the Bucket Tilt Module. More information in the building instructions.
Optionally you can also get more GBC Balls here. The more GBC Balls, the more epic for sure!
Fun Fact
Having the control over 2 separate Control Plus hubs (which are included in this LEGO set) really got us thinking from the very beginning how to implement this power into a unique and fun concept. Many ideas raised from remote GBCs to multiple collaborating GBCs. However we were very intrigued by the idea of the builder being a part of the GBC after he/she has build it. In the end we settled up on the idea of having a GBC Ball Dozer pushing the GBC Balls around which can interact with the environment it is in. A warning from the designers: It’s very addictive to keep playing with this GBC in full operation!
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- LEGO 42100 set – Liebherr R 9800
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania – 42100 C model
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- GBC 41 Power Pit Mania
Work Together – Enhance building skills
The whole GBC is split into different parts/modules which are assembled together during the build. Ideal for working in groups as each builder can work on a sub assembly and later click everything together. Because of this construction and flexibility it is also always possible to separate the modules again and make your own unique configuration or use modules as separate machines.
A really cool feature of the GBC 41 Power Pit Mania is its ability to convert with ease into a GBC Layout Module. You can simply add your other GBC Modules to the left side on the Wheel Loader Module. A split output on the right side can carry the GBC Balls to the next GBC Module. Simply rotate the Bucket Tilt Module ramp to the right so that GBC Balls can take another route and enter another GBC. In this way you can easily connect this GBC to all our other GBCs to make the loop even bigger. More information in the building instructions. Clean and simple: Convert with ease.
It is not possible to move the whole structure at once and it’s required to take it apart in a few, easy to disassemble, sub parts. We advise to place the GBC on a solid plate. Footprint GBC 41 Power Pit Mania: 100 cm (40 inch) by 86 cm (34 inch).
Building Instructions Preview
Preview
Try before you buy. We completely understand. See the building instructions previews on the left or try one of our free building instructions.
Upgrade your GBC 41 Power Pit Mania
In the building instructions is explained how to easily upgrade the GBC 41 Power Pit Mania with various parts.
GBC Funnels
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USB Power Box
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Jacqueline Segeth –
As with the GBC 45, I built the GBC 41 on my own, in a week or two. The track worked well straight away, but because we don’t have that many balls we had to fill the tipping box with stones. My husband did that job. Then there’s driving the bulldozer, which is more something for my son-in-law. A question that requires a lot of practice. Our grandson also adds a ball in his own way :). Teamwork! See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmaRCjw7Ww
Net als bij de GBC 45 heb ik de GBC 41 alleen gebouwd, in een week of twee. De baan werkte meteen goed maar omdat we niet zoveel balletjes hebben moesten we de kiepbak vullen met steentjes. Dat klusje heeft mijn man geklaard. Dan nog het besturen van de bulldozer, dat is meer iets voor mijn schoonzoon. Een questie van veel oefenen. Onze kleinzoon voegt op zijn manier ook een balletje toe :). Teamwork! Zie video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmaRCjw7Ww
respho –
I initially didn’t pay much attention to this set due to me not owning the 42100. But then I saw the tremendous play potential of the Dozer, and seeing that I do own the required pieces, I purchased the instructions and built the set in red and yellow colour.
The set worked very well mechanically, and almost never jams, which is great considering this is my first PV GBC and a 3,000+ pieces build effort. My target audience was a toddler. He loved to play with it so much, often being totally engrossed in it.
This set is much larger than other GBCs due to the fencing. Due to its size it’s not easy to reinforce it so it often breaks apart and requires reassembling. It’s also not easy to carry it around due to its size and sparse reinforcement.
There are pros and cons to building GBCs with existing sets. They are very accessible in terms of sourcing parts, and that’s what got me into GBC building. It also has downsides, like the compromises that had to be made, weird building techniques due to the lack of optimal parts, wrong color, etc.
Overall I am very happy with the design and hope to build another PV GBC model soon.
Erik Opsteyn –
Great first build of a GBC module. Worked like a charm in the beginning, but after a while it started to jam caused by the mechanism that toggles a ball left or right. I rebuild that particular part, and it went well. Apparently the mechanism to swing the arm demands some force.
Sander van Mier –
I really liked this set. Instructions were clear. The mechanism that toggles a ball left or right (not motorized part) sometimes jams at my build. Could be me misplacing a few bricks though as I am not a very experienced builder.
All in all I picked up a few new building techniques and had a lot of fun building hours extra with this. So definitely worth the money, at least for me.
Josh Saul –
Parts of this set are great, other a bit less (however understandable using only parts of the 42100 set)! The shovel dump action is super fun and makes your heart beat faster, but the dozer doesn’t have enough friction in the wheels so we had to put a piece of paper down so it could drive the balls up the hill. I also wish there was some way to make this set run unattended. I think the lack of moving functions can be improved if you rethink the dump/dozer. There are still motors to use, so I’m looking forward to another version that uses 42100. Thanks for the build though!