We have a happy TLCB Elf in the office today. Contentedly munching on an orange Smartie (they’re the best kind), it found this brilliant mechanical-only Technic Mercedes-Benz Arocs tipper truck. Yup, mechanical only – meaning Thirdwigg’s Arocs tipper has completely eschewed Power Functions remote control for good ol’ fashioned hand-powered gears. This meant no Elven mayhem, no smushing, and a quiet and peaceful day for all. The Elves even seem to be enjoying this unusual state of affairs, but we’re sure that’ll change soon.

Thirdwigg’s truck hasn’t eschewed functionality alongside electric power though, and it’s packed with all the working functions you’d expect a Technic model to have, including four-wheel steering, a working piston engine, a tilting cabin with opening doors, and a linear actuator controlled tipper mechanism.

We think Thirdwigg’s Arocs tipper truck would make a decent official Technic set, and you can see more of his build at both his Flickr photostream and via the Brickshelf gallery here.