42043 - MB Arocs 3245 Mods and Improvements

[PauloS]

Hello All.

I skip module 4, this being towards the end, therefore I intend to test the placement of one or two air tanks to prevent the crane boom plummet to the floor where the air circuit retreated to lower the arm.

I'll have to check some assembly instructions for the models 8462, 8439, 8464 and 8299 for these have, and well, Pneumatic Air Tanks in their assemblies.

Edited January 20, 2016 by PauloS

[miguev]

Finally built it! Got it for Xmas, only finished now.

So far only modding very subtly. First, I replaced hard shows with normal/medium ones (red) to get better off-road performance in the front axle.

Now any front wheel can negotiate a bump (without any other front wheel being lifted) of up to 12 mm ─ 4 plates or 1.5 studs, exactly the travel of these shocks!

I actually have 2 types of red shocks, one type on each front axle, but no sure which one is where:

2x 731c05 ─ Technic, Shock Absorber 6.5L, Complete Assembly - Normal Spring

2x 731c01 ─ Technic, Shock Absorber 6.5L, Complete Assembly - Undetermined Spring Type

The cabin does sink a bit, about 0.5 to 0.75 studs (4 to 6 mm.) but it doesn't look to me like it's diving head first or anything.

Of course, the outtriggers had to be adjusted, to get an extra 1 stud of ground clearing, by sacrificing the gearbox usability a little bit. Still worth it, I think.

[John Daniels]

Snip

Of course, the outtriggers had to be adjusted, to get an extra 1 stud of ground clearing, by sacrificing the gearbox usability a little bit. Still worth it, I think

Snip

The extra stud of clearance is already built into the model. The lift arm is actually supposed to be placed another hole down into the outrigger foot. It is an extraordinarily common mistake, which I made as well. Your suspension mod looks great by the way!

[miguev]

The extra stud of clearance is already built into the model. The lift arm is actually supposed to be placed another hole down into the outrigger foot. It is an extraordinarily common mistake, which I made as well.

Not sure what you mean. Following the original instructions, there's only 1 stud between the outtriggers (fully retracted) and the ground. My mod gives 2 studs, or nearly.

Your suspension mod looks great by the way!

Thanks! :)

[Samolot]

No you are not right. Look to the instruction again.

[tripletschiee]

Not sure what you mean. Following the original instructions, there's only 1 stud between the outtriggers (fully retracted) and the ground. My mod gives 2 studs, or nearly.

I did the same mistake. This was the post of agrof some pages before.

Maybe the instructions are not very clear, I see quite lot people having this issue.

The 7L liftarm actually should be sunken 1 stud deep into the "foot". I built mine this way, and have neither clearance, nor stability problem. The lowering mechanism works also as it should, without falling apart.

Check here, count the holes:

http://cache.lego.co...g?l.r2=23574082

and

http://www.techlug.f...P/42043/118.jpg

Maybe that explains it better.

[allanp]

Hello All.

I skip module 4, this being towards the end, therefore I intend to test the placement of one or two air tanks to prevent the crane boom plummet to the floor where the air circuit retreated to lower the arm.

I'll have to check some assembly instructions for the models 8462, 8439, 8464 and 8299 for these have, and well, Pneumatic Air Tanks in their assemblies.

Best way to prevent that is to supply each valve with it's own one way valve. You can use the ones that were used in the original single acting pneumatics, looked like a 2x4 grey brick with three ports on it. This will prevent the air from flowing the wrong way and emptying the cylinder being used to hold up the boom. Would be great if TLG released a small inline one way valve for this purpose.

[miguev]

Found it, page 123, thanks! Many details make more sense now :)

Indeed it's an easy one to fall in for. Even Sariel did (and complained about it on

of his review) which I reckon threw me off into assuming that's how it was.

[tripletschiee]

Even it is not a finished MOD, I just wanted to let you guys know about it.

This is a FAILED attempt to modify the Arocs to a 8x8 (8WD).

It was not possible for me to make this happen, so I quit after a couple of evenings and will rebuild the original version of the Arocs.

I took as a basis the axle from ZBLJ and modified it a little.

So far so good, but I did not manage to get the steering working properly, it was on the one hand to hard-working and on the other hand there is way to much play in the whole steering system. It was absolutely no fun.

And I did not even start thinking properly about combininbge the two axle-packs together and attach the to the fake engine.

In the end I decided to bury the project.

Still I have made some pictures, maybe some of you have some better ideas.

..

More detailled Pictures about this attempt in my Flickr folder.

[baluka]

Hello!

I have built an 8x8 version of the Arocs. The cabin and the rear suspension remained the same as the original. The crane arm is removed and the dump body was extended. Remote controlled pneumatic functions were added. Front axles were rebuilt, differentials were integrated, the steering linkage principle remained the same, but operated by pneumatic cylinders. The middle chassis part was totally rebuilt to integrate the motors.

Motorized functions:

-Driving (by XL motor)

-Steering (by two pneumatic cylinders, valve controlled by M motor)

-Switchable all wheel drive vs only rear wheels drive (by M motor)

-Dumping (by two large pneumatic cylinders, valve controlled by M motor)

-Pneumatic pumps (3 pieces of 6L pumps, driven by L motor)

Other functions:

-Tiltable cabin

-Automatic compressor turning off

-Suspension system

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Edited March 17, 2016 by Jim
Removed big images

[gvo25]

Hello,

I finished my mod of the arocs 42043

I made the truck shorter, it's driven by remote control. I also added an airtank and pneumatic stabilisers, all the pneumatic controls are moved to one side. The crane is foldable, but is lacking a grabber which was replaced by some chains

[cyberdyne systems]

Variant of snow-plow for Arocs. + RC using

-L motor for driving

-M motor for steering

-M motor for lifting plow

-L motor for tilting dump

-L motor for blower

-Lego LEDs for head lights

Plow

Blower

hitch for the levers

3 PF receivers

video with outdoor tests

Edited March 3, 2016 by cyberdyne systems

[emielroumen]

I find the steering quite stiff and hard to operate. Any suggestions on how to improve? Did anyone consider improvements like LPEpower did for the Unimog a while back?

[Diff-Lock]

Hello !

I started building an 8x8 Version of the Arocs. I want to keep as much as possible original.

The suspension and steering mechanism remain the same. I will change the front axle part and the gearbox part.

Below you can see pictures of the prototype. Of chourse I will add a differential between the front axles and the rear axles.

You can also watch my "drivetrain test" on youtube.

[Choops]

Will this set be discontinued soon? I have noticed price has dropped $10 (U.S.) on amazon.

Steve

[higgins91]

I don't think ! this set as just 1 year !!! The price change all the time on amazon.

[Paul B Technic]

Will this set be discontinued soon? I have noticed price has dropped $10 (U.S.) on amazon.

Steve

Not yet I hope :)

[__________________________]

Someone should build a 10x10 like this:

Not yet I hope :)

I bought 9398 last year (2015), so then it was a 3-year old flagship and still on shelf. Not sure what average shelfspan for Technic flagships is though. I would guess it will be in stores until 2018, maybe only online or in certain stores or with 1 or 2 rather than 6+ though.

[TinkerBrick]

2nd half of the Year flagships typically serve 2 full holiday seasons on the shelfs. They then enter a 3rd season but just as long as supply last and officially retired after Dec. 31st. So the Actros should be available until xmas 2017.

[M_longer]

I have bought second Arocs and decided to try building a one set MOC from it.

I am aware that one set MOCs can be hardly called as a modification of a set, but it is still a WIP and I want to hear what dou you think about my C-model for 42043:

Features three axle steering, working V6 fake engine, motorized winch, pump, outriggers and boom extension. Superstructure can be rotated by round plates on the back. I have to rebuild rear part of it, becuase battery box needs more rigid connection. Only element that was not present in the set is a string, but I can't imagine a crane without it ;)

[JGW3000]

Looks good, but the cab seems a bit small - how about a video. Is this based on a real crane,

[M_longer]

Looks good, but the cab seems a bit small - how about a video. Is this based on a real crane,

Let's say that it is a random, four axle crane, something between 8421, 42009 and real cranes :)

I'll make a video when it will be finished :)

[jeffy1021]

I like the crane hook mod, haven't seen it before. I will need to borrow that idea for my 42009 =).

[RabbiT_CZ]

This looks so good. I will have to try to build something similar :-) You should add this to the C model topic when finished.

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

It is a very cool C model...Well done my!!!