[MOC] Medium-sized tow truck

[suffocation]

My 4-year-old-nephew is far keener on playing with Lego than rotting away with a dumbphone in his grubby mitts, so I thought I'd build him a tow truck to mess around with. I've tried to keep it small and simple so he can be his adorable destructive self and I can fix any damage in just a few minutes.

It was my first try at this scale, so I was miles out of my comfort zone. I also had only a week to build it so he could have it for his birthday. I couldn't fit any suspension but I did manage to cram in the following motorised functions, all driven by 1 M motor:

- side outriggers
- rear outriggers
- tow fork adjustment #1
- tow fork adjustment #2
- front winch
- crane rotation
- crane lift/lowering
- crane winch

All the functions are activated by eight independent two-way switches, so no need to mess around with the battery box to change direction. The front winch is fitted with a linear clutch so that it can be extended manually even though it is driven via a worm gear.

There's a fake 4-cylinder engine (in the cabin, so the driver gets to breathe lots of flowery fossil fumes) connected to the rear wheels. Oh, steering - obviously - and opening cabin doors.

The truck looks like a steaming pile of rhino dung but it works pretty well, which was my main concern.

Will shoot some better pics and a video as soon as the weather clears up.

Constructive criticism is welcome as always.

 

Edited March 2, 2019 by suffocation

[Maaboo the Witch]

Looks very similar to something Alfred Pedersen would design, especially considering the angled panel technique on the front of the cab which he used on 42008 and 42024. Good job! 

[Johnny1360]

Interesting the differential frames, using connectors instead of frames, I will have to remember that method. Actually I don't think it looks half bad considering the functions and time constraints, I think you did and good job. Your nephew should very much enjoy it, plus he can disassemble it. 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Johnny1360
Spelling

[sirslayer]

I like building in that scale and pendular suspension is the best your'e gonna get and its not worth it.. Great job!!  and I love the red white and blue theme 

[Lakop]

Ok so the front end is not great looking from the side view but the moc as a whole works for me. It looks neatly constructed, the colours work and you packed it with functions.

H

[JLiu15]

It looks amazing! I think you nailed it with building at this scale. 

There's only two minor things that I think could have been better; one is the cab - the side "windows" are too big. I think a 3x11 panel could have covered that space pretty well. Another one is the wheel choice. I personally prefer wheels with this rim when building at this scale, but that's just personal taste.

[suffocation]

Thanks to everyone for the precious feedback

Is this any better?

 

[Attika]

Considering the story behind, I find it really attractive in a technical way, that is where real beauty hides.  And in my experience for a 4 year old this looks just like a real one. What a mission! I'm proud of you. 

I've been using similar outriggers on my crane truck. They can be really beefy. They easily lifted the whole truck in the air.

[MangaNOID]

love it. it has a great style of dorky futuristicnes too it. I mean that in a good way. and functions, so many of them, great fun for the target audience.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice machine and interesting colours scheme!

[Minga 089]

Nice one!

[suffocation]

_

Edited March 2, 2019 by suffocation