The MB Arocs outriggers, niche or good part, I can't decide.

[Leif]

For some reason I get the feeling that at least the "Liftarm Bracket" is a bit too niched. Kind of reminds me of the worst TLG years back in the 90s where a lot of pieces were specialized and niched in absurdum.

On the other hand, building everything with pins and beams never gets the same stability!

I want to head over to Bricklink and stock up for outriggers to a massive mobile crane - and at the same time stick to classic building and build my own outriggers...

Picture borrowed from Jim's review: http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=111478

[allanp]

If you think of them as just out riggers then I'm not surprised you find them a bit too specialised. But I don't see them as outriggers. They are a guide for linear movement with inbuilt gear rack. They can be used as outriggers, telescopic booms or as a replacement for an LA, for an example of this look at the bed lifting mechanism of the barcode truck. So I don't see them as being too specialised, but specialised parts aren't necessarily a bad thing either. It's bad when it leads to juniorisation but would you call a bucket or a tyre too specialised? You could build them out of regular Lego but they wouldn't be as good.

[Jay Psi]

They can be used as outriggers, telescopic booms or as a replacement for an LA, for an example of this look at the bed lifting mechanism of the barcode truck.

I had a feeling you would say that

However I agree, these parts are more than just outriggers. Even in the Arocs they are also used as the telescopic part of the crane arm. I think the point of the housing and gear rack combination is to provide a sturdy mechanism for a sliding motion, one that is more rigid (and can therefore handle bigger loads) than making an equivalent mechanism out of multiple panels/liftarms.

Edited July 26, 2015 by Jay Psi

[thomol]

Sariel has already used them in his fire boat moc. http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112255#entry2278235

[LennyRhys]

I think that the idea of using these racks as alternatives to LAs is more than a little ridiculous. Some of the very first Technic models used gear racks for precisely this function, and LAs offer a much better and more compact solution. I agree with OP that these parts are very much in danger of having limited uses, which is inclined to happen with parts that are custom made for a specific model. It's good to see that TLG have found two uses for the part, and I'm sure that the community of Lego enthusiasts will find more uses, but also many limitations too.

One thing I do see happening soon with these parts is a small-scale forklift with telescopic mast, although the telescoping part would need extra beams added for this to work (and there's the limitation right there!).

[Leif]

I think that the idea of using these racks as alternatives to LAs is more than a little ridiculous. Some of the very first Technic models used gear racks for precisely this function, and LAs offer a much better and more compact solution.

Maybe the opposite, with correct reinforcement they may replace LAs for boom lifting?

Longer travel and with worm gear you would get good precision and lock function.

[Victor Imaginator]

This part can be used as heavy duty driveshaft with variable length. Looks much stronger than pulley wheels + axles.

[allanp]

To take a leaf out of andythenorths sarcastic book!

I hate that they released universal joints. We could make universal joints out of regular parts and it has very limited uses, it can only be used as a universal joint! This juniorisation is getting silly!

[Leif]

To take a leaf out of andythenorths sarcastic book!

I hate that they released universal joints. We could make universal joints out of regular parts and it has very limited uses, it can only be used as a universal joint! This juniorisation is getting silly!

:laugh:

true true! But for oldtimers like me it takes some time before we adjust to new ideas and changes..

[LennyRhys]

To take a leaf out of andythenorths sarcastic book!

I hate that they released universal joints. We could make universal joints out of regular parts and it has very limited uses, it can only be used as a universal joint! This juniorisation is getting silly!

I don't think anybody has sad "I hate that this part was released," nor indeed that niche parts like this rack assembly are a bad thing. All that we're discussing here is whether or not it has limited uses, which a few of us think it does. The only benefit it offers over a manually constructed rack/pinion solution is compactness, but it still requires an external drivetrain to function.

Re, Leif's point about using the gear rack in conjunction with a worm gear, that would be a poor solution for high loads. Worm gears are very inefficient (extremely high friction) so putting them under excessive loads will result in powdered plastic from the grinding of the Lego gears.

[CP5670]

I don't see the point of these pieces. Between the standard 1x4 gear racks and the various fixed-length studless gear racks, we already have the functionality they offer. The bracket doesn't even have many mounting holes, especially on the top part, and is reminiscent of the various odd Technic pieces we were getting around 2000. The only benefit I see is that the bracket is 2-wide instead of 3-wide, which an equivalent construction using standard Technic beams would be.

[DrJB]

I want to head over to Bricklink and stock up for outriggers to a massive mobile crane ...

Last I checked, that part is not available yet on Bricklink.

Also, this discussion reminds me of the portal axles for the Unimog. Back then, many thought those would be used only once, but somehow TLG managed to include them in subsequent set(s). It seems like a part of a very limited use, but then again, it may have the same fate as the bulldozer's cylinder bracket.

[Thirdwigg]

I am excited about this part. I think it could have worked well in many applications I have done before.

[Saberwing40k]

i really like these parts. It's not something I've always wanted, like some other parts, but rather something where I'm like "Where has this part been?" I just hope that it gets used in other sets and doesn't become super rare and expensive like the pneumatic cylinder brackets. This part would be great any time a compact but rigid extension mechanism is needed. I actually hope that we see a remake of 8455, but with an additional extension on the bucket like some JCB backhoes. Also, I want to see it in other colors, because I just hate it when a useful part is not available in a neutral color. I'm looking at you, pneumatic cylinders...

[Lakop]

I'd like to get my hands on one to experiment.

H

[Alasdair Ryan]

I'd like to get my hands on one to experiment.

H

Do you think you would know how to use this piece?

I have seen your mocs.....

I personally think this has lots of great uses,custom LA's or telescopic booms would be what I would see myself use them for.

Edited July 29, 2015 by Alasdair Ryan

[Thirdwigg]

I am interested in using them for this kind of outrigger.

[1974]

That piece looks right proper for a Bionicle killer robot, nothing else. TLG could have done that discretly, but nahh, lets get the folks all worked up on the interwebs instead

The REAL question is, why do folks take the time to build this very fine truck instead of parting out the parts so I can my long pneumatic cylinders at BL?

I'm waiting with a full Paypal account, Gents

Cheers,

Ole

[Lakop]

Do you think you would know how to use this piece?

I have seen your mocs.....

I personally think this has lots of great uses,custom LA's or telescopic booms would be what I would see myself use them for.

I'm sure the expert crane builders amongst us will put them to good and those cool tow truck builders should find them useful too. I'm working on a truck right now that could use them but i'm looking to another solution as is always the case. I hope to get the merc truck later and move into more complex builds so any new part that offers movement is always welcome. I might purchase two from customer service if they become available.

Thirdwigg,

Great idea

H

Edited July 29, 2015 by Horace T

[1974]

I am interested in using them for this kind of outrigger.

You certainly do not need those new fancy parts to make that outriggger. You need standard TLG parts that's been availabe for years, so start building!

Cheers,

Ole

[dhc6twinotter]

I don't know that I would ever use the red part, but I may use the rack piece. Two of them could be placed together to make a long rack, or one could be used as a linear actuator.

[Thirdwigg]

You certainly do not need those new fancy parts to make that outriggger. You need standard TLG parts that's been availabe for years, so start building!

Cheers,

Ole

You're right, but sometimes I want to take a lazy solution for a complex problem. This part would have shortened the design time for my MAN TGS in half.

[Balrog]

When used together, I think there is a wide range of application for these parts. Also, the gear rack alone might prove very useful as well, the bracket not so much.

[Thirdwigg]

When used together, I think there is a wide range of application for these parts. Also, the gear rack alone might prove very useful as well, the bracket not so much.

I agree. But I'm sure there will be some great application someone will come up with that uses that rack alone. We will all kick ourselves, and say "why didn't I think of that?"

[Blakbird]

Having just bought this set and seen these parts for the first time, I must say that my first impression is that they are Pieces Of Other Pieces. They seem so large and specialized that they remind me of Bionicle more than Technic. Maybe they will grow on me. I do appreciate the extra strength they provide, but providing strength via monolithic parts seems like cheating.