Pictorial Review: 8443 Pneumatic Log Loader

[Lost_In_Noise]

Set 8443 was released in 1996, contains 327 parts, and features a grapple arm powered by two pneumatic cylinders.

The parts includes one small and one large pneumatic cylinder, a pump, two switches, and a large turntable.

The 6 wheels used in this model are all 6582s, and they come in set 8829 Dune Blaster, 8280 Fire Engine and 8282 Quad Bike.

The Instruction's first page shows how the pneumatic system works.

Anyway, on with the build.

Starting with the front, this pneumatic cylinder is used to raise and lower the main boom.

Steering setup next.

The first pneumatic switch is placed at step 7.

The long gray pneumatic hose goes to the pump.

The turntable is placed on top, and the hoses connects to the cylinder.

Steering rack placed at step 11. The turntable is locked by 2 long pins. I've never seen such steering before.

This axle with 2 8T gears is placed between the crown wheel and the turntable. The instructions forget to mention that the steering and the turntable is to be aligned.

The crane boom is comprised of Technic bricks. Some clips are provided to hold the rigid pneumatic hoses.

Left side is exactly the same.

The rear end of the truck has its own separate building instruction, first the steering setup.

The rear hitch.

The rear end has some stickered that says "P43S" on it.

Mounted on rear axle.

A pneumatic pump is placed, and locked with a 8 axle.

The rear is attached to the turntable.

Left side pneumatic switch added.

Rear complete.

Hoses extended to the end of the boom.

Those perpendicular axle and pin connectors and 4 axles secures the rear end to the turntable.

The drivers cabin is starting to form.

Crane arm finished. Now all that's missing is the claw.

Claw added to main boom.

Lastly adding some 16T gears to assure the claw closes symmetrically.

Finished!

Comparison with the other pneumatic claw rigs; 8436 and 8868.

Thanks for reading/watching pics. Remember to vote on the poll. Some LEGO designers may read this.

Big pics @ BrickShelf

Edited August 23, 2012 by Lost_In_Noise

[Hopey]

Nice, somehow I've never seen this set before. I think it came out right at the start of my dark ages.

I don't quite understand the steering and suspension works. So turning the hand-of-god both rotates the large turntable, and drives the pinion on the center axle? This seems rather odd to me; shouldn't the middle axle stay fixed and the front and back ones steer?

Does the settering rack have to bend in order for it to steer? That seems an odd design to put in an official model. From memory that piece is made from a different plastic which is fairly flexible, but I'd have thought it'd still wear out after a bit when used like this.

And lastly, what's going on with that back axle? It's as if they've designed it to be steerable, then changed their mind and fixed it in place somehow. What degree of freedom does it have? Is it pendular, so the wheels can lift up and down?

[Lost_In_Noise]

Nice, somehow I've never seen this set before. I think it came out right at the start of my dark ages.

I don't quite understand the steering and suspension works. So turning the hand-of-god both rotates the large turntable, and drives the pinion on the center axle? This seems rather odd to me; shouldn't the middle axle stay fixed and the front and back ones steer?

The HOG axle has 2 8T gears on it. The lower one swiwels the turntable, and back part of the truck. The top one meshes with a crown gear on top of the steering rack for the second axle. The first axle is fixed in position, and just follows the body. Because the distance between the second and third axle is so big, it works like a single back wheel steering. Like a forklift.

Does the settering rack have to bend in order for it to steer? That seems an odd design to put in an official model. From memory that piece is made from a different plastic which is fairly flexible, but I'd have thought it'd still wear out after a bit when used like this.

No, it has very little movement. The rear axle is the one turning the most. The 24T crownwheel causes these two axles to turn in a 3:1 ratio.

And lastly, what's going on with that back axle? It's as if they've designed it to be steerable, then changed their mind and fixed it in place somehow. What degree of freedom does it have? Is it pendular, so the wheels can lift up and down?

I dont why they used the "Steering Arm" on the back axle. Maybe it was the most cost-efficient solution. I've checked the B-model which does not use this part. The axle passed from the back allows it to be pendular on either side. The two "Light Gray Technic Cam"s restricts its movement to about 5 degrees.

[DarkShadow73]

This topic was from last August by Lost_In_Noise:

I recently bought this set MISB and I am wondering what your thoughts are on the alternate model? Or as I am fairly sure many others in this forum own this set as well, is the main or alternate model better? I rather like the looks of the alternate, but really bought it for the main model...

Thoughts?

Thanks.