LennyRhys Posted February 20, 2016 Posted February 20, 2016 Hi folks, So I built this a few months ago and it's sat on my shelf gathering dust whilst I've been too busy to do anything about it, so I thought that I should take a little time to share the idea with the community. I should mention that this is my very first attempt at building a MOC with the new style of Technic, so please be kind! The images of the model more or less speak for themselves. It is based on a Kalmar DCF 370 but I don't have much red Lego so I chose to make the prototype in Hyster colours. The model contains five motors to control all the functions via IR remotes on three channels, but this configuration has not been completed in the prototype (I have to attach a battery box for the cab function). 1) drive, XL motor 2) steering, L motor 3) forks, L motor 4) mast, L motor 5) cab, M motor The first part of the model to be tackled was the steering. Real forklifts have incredible steering systems allowing almost 90 degree angle on the innermost wheel, and also featuring ackerman steering geometry. I developed a system that would allow this, but it was too flimsy given the size of the Unimog wheels and I had to settle for a poorer steering circle but much stronger steering linkage and configuration. I spent quite a lot of time developing the forks so that the width could be adjusted and that a set width could also be shifted from left to right, just like the real machine. I decided to leave it as a manual function using chains, as LAs have far too short a travel for it to be a good feature IMO. With chains, the forks can either be just a few studs apart to opposite ends of the rails. I also spent time developing the mast so that it could telescope with minimal friction, allowing the use of a winch and pulley system rather than gears and racks, which is terribly inefficient for this sort of thing. With my current setup of a winch (using the nice thick braided thread from 42042), the forklift is able to hoist a battery box containing 6xAA batteries, but it does struggle a bit because the mast itself is already quite heavy. My first impression of the new style of technic is that it's really hard to build solid structures, eg. to stop the long chassis from sagging in the middle, especially with all the weight from the motors and the large battery box. Beams and plates would have been much better, but as you know it's very hard to use them in conjunction with lego elements that are designed around the odd-number system. Anyways, I hope you like the model and perhaps take some inspiration from it. There are many talented builders in this community who could make a wonderful forklift, better than this one (and some already have!). Quote
Milan Posted February 20, 2016 Posted February 20, 2016 This really looks good. I like the size of it, and it looks very strong. Bodywork is also very nice! Quote
M_longer Posted February 20, 2016 Posted February 20, 2016 My first impression of the new style of technic is that it's really hard to build solid structures, eg. to stop the long chassis from sagging in the middle, especially with all the weight from the motors and the large battery box. Beams and plates would have been much better, but as you know it's very hard to use them in conjunction with lego elements that are designed around the odd-number system. It all depends on the element you are using. FOr example, this part: Allows to improve rigidity in two planes. Those forks will be brick built in the final version, or you will change them to liftarms? Quote
2LegoOrNot2Lego... Posted February 24, 2016 Posted February 24, 2016 So far so good, well executed! It is on my to do list as well... Quote
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