[MOC] Large Excavator

[LennyRhys]

With the monster miner I figured out how to script a chain, but that was pretty easy as it was going between two points on the same plane.  The hoses are extremely complex geometrically with all the twists and turns, but I'll see what I can manage (I'm a digital artist, so I don't really have an excuse!).

So here's my progress from this evening - the undercarriage is finished including all steps and submodels.  I think LDCad is difficult to learn, but it's extremely powerful once you get the hang of it.  I could have scripted the tracks but honestly I figured it'd be quicker just to place the links manually on one track and make the other track a submodel.

 

[LennyRhys]

I decided just to knuckle down last night and see if I could figure out how to do all the hoses, and it was actually pretty easy - the nested editing feature is really nice when working with flexible parts.  In the meantime I've loaded up POV-Ray using an old lighting configuration and it looks good, but it will definitely need some quality tweaking.  I might still change the placement of that grey flexible hose beside the blue tap but I'm happy with everything so far.

 

[LennyRhys]

I've finished the bulk of the machine in LDCad and only have the boom and stick left to do, which won't take too long.  I took a break after doing some renders and worked on a brick-built bucket, and it's actually not too bad... maybe a bit fragile, but it's better than the old yellow bucket for sure.  I might order parts to make this and see how it looks on the model.

[supertruper1988]

Oh I like that brick built bucket a lot! The styrene work in the original post is wonderful but there is also something about a good brick solution that appeals to me too. 

[LennyRhys]

Thanks supertruper1988!  I have to agree that the brick solutions (if they work well) are always the best way to go.  The bucket will be a bit fragile because the teeth can only connect on a 1x1 plate, but for display purposes I can't complain.  I also put in some Lego cylinders that are in a fixed position, so the model is 100% rebrickable.

I have a question regarding LDCad:  how do I find out the total number of elements in the model?  I'm pretty sure that with MLCad it was always displayed, however in LDCad it doesn't seem to be as available.  I can see individual pieces in the source file, but not a total number of pieces.

I can now start work on the instructions PDF and will hopefully have them ready soon.  I've also ordered parts to make the yellow bucket so will post pictures when I have it built.

Latest render (minus hoses):

 

[supertruper1988]

8 hours ago, LennyRhys said:

Thanks supertruper1988!  I have to agree that the brick solutions (if they work well) are always the best way to go.  The bucket will be a bit fragile because the teeth can only connect on a 1x1 plate, but for display purposes I can't complain.  I also put in some Lego cylinders that are in a fixed position, so the model is 100% rebrickable.

I have a question regarding LDCad:  how do I find out the total number of elements in the model?  I'm pretty sure that with MLCad it was always displayed, however in LDCad it doesn't seem to be as available.  I can see individual pieces in the source file, but not a total number of pieces.

New render looks great!

Im pretty sure that LDCad has that info if you click on the little "i" in the lower right of the build pane. 

[LennyRhys]

Thanks - that seems to work!  There are over 1,000 parts in the excavator, many of which are very small (the track links alone make up 120 parts).

I'm still waiting on some parts to arrive but I was able to build the new bucket and I think it looks great... possibly even better than the other one.  Sadly the teeth aren't available in yellow, but light orange looks OK.  I also scrapped the prototype tractor unit and have put together a new one with smaller wheels.  I'm hoping to have an entire "set" when this model is finished, so that if people wish they can use it as part of a Lego city/town display.

[Jubuilder]

I liked your prototype tractor better, it reminded me of the Nicolas Tractomas, just the right tractor to pull such an enormous excavator :) 

[La Chupacabra]

On 10/2/2020 at 10:23 PM, LennyRhys said:

With the monster miner I figured out how to script a chain,

 

Still waiting for that monster miner instructions 

 

[White Phoenix of the Crown]

15 hours ago, LennyRhys said:

"Oktan" ?

[LennyRhys]

@Jubuilder thanks for the comment.  I really like the other tractor too, but I think it's too big for this "set" and wouldn't fit very well in a city diorama.  I'd like to see the truck on some Lego roads!

@La Chupacabra heh - I will definitely work on them, maybe a Christmas present this year!

@Ragana9289 purely accidental - I actually did build an Octan truck a few years ago because I really like the colours!  I'd like to come up with my own company & livery for construction vehicles.

[Toastie]

Wow - why do I miss such nice things so often?

That truck is also a jewel. It is so much more a truck than every LEGO model of the same scale I happen to know. The cab, the pick-up (whatever it is called in proper English), the sloped frame - it is so much more!

And once again: On this scale. Every piece finds its proper place. Perfect.

I am really deeply impressed.

All the best
Thorsten

[bramn]

Any updates on the instructions yet? ? Do you have an estimate on the total price when picking up all parts from Bricklink for instance? ?

[bramn]

Hi Lenny, this may be a longshot, but I was wondering if you continued working on this MOC? I would love it as a birthday present for my brother-in-law, who has a demolition company

[LennyRhys]

Hello everyone! I figured I should update this wee project as I have been continuing with it recently. I always knew I'd go back to it... just didn't think it would take five years. But here I am.

Changes I've made are as follows:

• The model is now 100% LEGO parts compatible, with the addition of the pneumatic cylinders. Sadly it cannot be posed the same way, but it looks great and functions very well.
• The bucket linkage system is now hook & pin, so the buckets can be swapped out by means of a single axle
• The engine internals have been completely redesigned and rebuilt
• As above, the same is true of the counterweight (but it still looks exactly the same, lol)
• The cab interior now has a proper control environment with two levers, a control panel in front, and a control panel on each side of the operator
• I LOVE the neon yellow colour and have added some highlights to mimic what some excavators have to improve their visibility in a working environment

I think that's everything for the moment. I do plan to have instructions made for this, which I will try to do soon, but it's mostly a time thing. Pictures:

[Shiva]

Nice work :)