[WIP] Telescopic Excavator

[nerdsforprez]

As mentioned when I initially posted this build, this is not my original MOC, but Anto's:

 

 

and I redid it in blue with all functions remaining. 

 

I am not re-posting this for redundancy, but because I wanted to build the MOC with a telescopic attachment and have some questions or would appreciated input on how to make this happen.  Although these machines are certainly out there I believe they are rare and I don't think I have ever seen one in Lego, which surprises me because we have seen a lot on this forum. 

Anyways, the build is complete and looks like a real attachment:

 

and while it is functional I am not really pleased with it.  Couple of things I would like to improve or change on it:

Anto was gracious enough to make instructions to his latter version of this little build. 

 

which I think I will take advantage of.  As can be seen from his photos, the mounting point where the arm connects to the superstructure is much closer to the center of the vehicle.  In my version, the arm is connected to a point far extending from the center. This creates a lot of pull and limits how large i can make the telescopic arm.  If I build version II of Anto's excavator, then I think I can avoid alot of this.  I may lose a function (side-to-side movement of arm) but hopefully will lose some of the tension the extended mounting point creates. 

Also, and this is where anyone's help or experience would be helpful, I think the pneumatic tubing is a little unwieldy.  It looks really messy.  I need a way for the tubing to extend the length it needs to, but also wrap, coil, or bend in such a way that it is somewhat self-managed. 

Unfortunately I am not sure I can finish the project; or at least not anytime soon.  I will be leaving on an overseas assignment for my job and I will be there for an extended period of time. I will likely bring this project, but may be restricted in pieces/materials I am able to use since I will not have my whole collection with me. 

[1gor]

I have to be honest, I did not pay attention to excavators with telescopic attachment at all. Now I see this can be very interesting MOC. It looks very good. ?

Perhaps yellow or orange as in your posted image of original machine would be better, but you know best what is doable in your situation. I assume that there is no possibility to use one motor hidden in bodywork because of complexity of construction (axle salad would probably be result)

[nerdsforprez]

3 hours ago, I_Igor said:

I have to be honest, I did not pay attention to excavators with telescopic attachment at all. Now I see this can be very interesting MOC. It looks very good. ?

Perhaps yellow or orange as in your posted image of original machine would be better, but you know best what is doable in your situation. I assume that there is no possibility to use one motor hidden in bodywork because of complexity of construction (axle salad would probably be result)

Telescopic excavators indeed are rare.  Like i mentioned, I don't think i have ever seen one in Lego.

Do you not like it in blue?  I think as I build version II I will do it in yellow.  I will do it in blue if I can, but I will have to see.  The curved 3x11 panels in other colors are rare, and I already have plenty in white.   So I may have to make something with white in it. 

Yes, I don't think that I can do the telescopic arm without the motor on top.  But I am not really concerned about the PF wires.  I am more concerned about the pneumatic tubes. 

[Johnny1360]

Glad to see you doing this, I actually saw one of these in action last week, even took some pictures, this one had some kind of hammer attachment on the end though. They were using it to demolish some tall brick buildings.

[WvG_853]

Interesting machine, I have never seen one in reality. If the picture is your reference, shouldn’t something like the 8043 be your basis? Anto’s model is great, maybe you can make it longer and move the connection point to the arm behind the cabin ... 

[1gor]

8 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

Telescopic excavators indeed are rare.  Like i mentioned, I don't think i have ever seen one in Lego.

Do you not like it in blue?  I think as I build version II I will do it in yellow.  I will do it in blue if I can, but I will have to see.  The curved 3x11 panels in other colors are rare, and I already have plenty in white.   So I may have to make something with white in it. 

Yes, I don't think that I can do the telescopic arm without the motor on top.  But I am not really concerned about the PF wires.  I am more concerned about the pneumatic tubes. 

Honestly I like blue version but it is unusual (at least where I live). Panel 11 X 3 in yellow is rare and expensive so I understand your point. white model looks very clean (at least until first use). Usually I like small scale mocs, but they are very limited in functionality due to lack of space. What I meant about motor on telescopic arm is that it is unusual to see something like that but answer is in lack of space. Looking forward to see version II when you will find time for it...

I agree on pneumatics with you; they often limit movements or just pop out where they are at least needed 

[nerdsforprez]

8 hours ago, WvG_853 said:

Interesting machine, I have never seen one in reality. If the picture is your reference, shouldn’t something like the 8043 be your basis? Anto’s model is great, maybe you can make it longer and move the connection point to the arm behind the cabin ... 

Yes.  Most of the machines I have seen with this configuration are around a 40-ton excavator (more or less like the size of 8043).  However, they do exist on smaller excavators.

The reason why I am placing it on Anto's is because of the size.  I think it would fit better on something the scale of 8043, but then it would also have to be longer (the arm).  This would compound the problem with the pneumatic tubing.  A longer arm means more tubing, and it is already just unwieldy.  I need to come up with a way that the tubing automatically retracts and extends with the arm.  Which I have not been able to do.  If it cannot be done, I am afraid I will not extend the build much further.  This is what I am reaching out to the community for help for. 

[ludov]

On a bigger scale you can maybe make a cable guide chain from 2M beams to guide the tubing? On this scale, I think would look too bulky.

[nerdsforprez]

 

7 hours ago, Ludo Visser said:

On a bigger scale you can maybe make a cable guide chain from 2M beams to guide the tubing? On this scale, I think would look too bulky.

So the more I think about it, and the feedback I get from others I am beginning to think you are correct.  I think I would have to apply the telescopic arm to a larger model.  I am not sure what you mean by a cable chain guide with 2M beams.  Do you mean 2 length beams serving as guides?  I guess they would have to be 3L … because there are actually two pneumatic tubes, not just one, that would have to be fed (open/close the cylinder that controls the clam buckets).  

[1gor]

13 minutes ago, nerdsforprez said:

 

So the more I think about it, and the feedback I get from others I am beginning to think you are correct.  I think I would have to apply the telescopic arm to a larger model.  I am not sure what you mean by a cable chain guide with 2M beams.  Do you mean 2 length beams serving as guides?  I guess they would have to be 3L … because there are actually two pneumatic tubes, not just one, that would have to be fed (open/close the cylinder that controls the clam buckets).  

I had the same dilemma with my mocs and despite starting to make small size 1:18, I have ended on something what can be mid scale 1:15. Sometimes LEGO parts do not allow us to make in desirable size. IMHO you have made smart decision to make it enough bigger to make it best compromise in-between size and functionality... Take the time you need and we will see your MOC optimized ?

[ludov]

3 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

 

  I am not sure what you mean by a cable chain guide with 2M beams.  Do you mean 2 length beams serving as guides?  I guess they would have to be 3L … because there are actually two pneumatic tubes, not just one, that would have to be fed (open/close the cylinder that controls the clam buckets).  

I don't know if "cable chain guide" is the correct scientific terminology, but I'm referring to these things:

They look a bit like chains and cables go through them. They are used in linear motion stages to avoid exactly the problems you're having with your tubing. My idea was to use a bunch of 2M beams to emulate the chain. You'd have to fill up the entire length of the tubing (at least the part that will be moving) with 2M beams. Of course, it won't work as neat as in the picture here because the 2M beams wouldn't be interconnected, but maybe good enough. Does this make sense?