[TC22] Power Crane

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Small updates, in an effort to earn the name "Power" in the title:
- reinforcement of the chassis around the turntable
- HOG raised one stud to ease access and strengthen its structure
- color swap of the H-shaped modified liftarms for red ones in the boom
- embedded a weighted brick to increase maximum lift weight

 

Went for an outdoor photo session..

Next photo session will cover heavy weight lifting.
To be continued!

 

Edited May 25, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

With the weighted brick in the front, the model now weights 691g.

A couple details were refined and strengthened to maximise weight lifting capacity.
For example the boom lift bevel just above the differential (removed in the photo below) is now prevented from moving down by a thin liftarm triangle.
Note that with the transmission on the left, the outriggers' stopped axle for the worm gear on the right and the boom lift bevel in the middle, the differential is tightly packed.

One PF battery box, when full, weight just above 210g.
Which is about what this MOC is confortable lifting in any configuration, the most challenging being with the boom horizontal and fully extended.

With an additional weighted brick, the load gets up to 270g.
This is enough to lift the front wheels off the ground, but all features remain perfectly useable.
Roughly, this MOC is able to lift half its own weight at maximal extent of the boom, which is generally better than real-life cranes.

Finally, in the most favorable configuration (load close to the outriggers), it can lift more than one time its own weight.
Which I must admit is kind of a requirement my engineer mind sets when building a Lego crane...
Three battery boxes, two L motors and connecting bricks together weight over 700g.

Next post will be a short video on the features. Cheers!

Edited May 24, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[JoKo]

Impressive last picture. It is giving everything it has!

Nice job. Compact and refined.

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

One last gap needed filling...

Now I can focus on the video.

Edited May 24, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

l wanted to show some action with this MOC, with a full cycle from packed and drive ready to lifting configuration and back. The video ended a bit longer than expected, but at least it covers the essential. Enjoy!

 

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

On 5/23/2022 at 1:42 PM, JoKo said:

Impressive last picture. It is giving everything it has!

Nice job. Compact and refined.

Thanks!

I updated the entry pictures after a request from the admins to avoid dioramas.

A couple of minor color swap had happened which I deemed didn't deserve another photo shooting, but now they're in too.

Also, the sound was not good on the original video (chair moving, cars passing) so I replaced it with music. Afterwards, as I was looking at other videos for this TC, I realized the original sound, even if not perfect, is in fact useful to spot gear cracking or other details. I have none of those in this MOC, but it would have been nice not to only have my word for it. Next time, I'll leave it be. It's the first time I produce a video showing actual Technic features, sorry about that.

Thanks for watching!

Edited June 2, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[Milan]

Love the first picture.
It has that 1950s Chevy COE truck feel, which I like very much.

[1gor]

1 hour ago, Milan said:

Love the first picture.
It has that 1950s Chevy COE truck feel, which I like very much.

Hm... someone is reading every post in forum...

 

 

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

It seems there is a consensus towards this Chevy COE truck.. 

There is some resemblance indeed, especially around the wheel arches, but it definitely was not my source of inspiration for this MOC.
Something I think matches the kind of design I aimed at is the present day Peugeot face style:

It has this short, rounded hood over a forward leaning grid.

Edited June 4, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[Milan]

On 5/31/2022 at 7:39 PM, 1gor said:

Hm... someone is reading every post in forum...

Yeah, this model looks like the 50's Chevy to both of us

11 hours ago, 1980SomethingSpaceGuy said:

Something I think matches the kind of design I aimed at is the present day Peugeot face style:

Yep, after seeing your picture, it can be the Peugeot, too

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Weather is becoming hot and I figured this little crane could use a radiator fan.

To implement this, I had to extend the engine shaft forward, then use a band to get around the direction and drive the fan.
I really wanted to use this fan piece because it looks quite nice, but it's not meant to be driven. So to get it moving, it has a 4L wand stuck inside, which is then used as an axle with the help of a half bush and half pins.
The propeller cone was intersecting with the grid, so I had to accommodate. The grid now has a little hump protruding in front, but it's also exactly where the hook rests against the grid, so I combined this with a cushion such as this modification serves two purposes.
Finally, to have it rotate in the correct direction, I had to invert the differential, along with everything next to it.

I think I achieved a decent level of detail, quality of build and playability.
With Lego, I design and build toys, because in my mind, that's what Lego are best at. If I wanted a race car, I'd go full RC. If I wanted an accurate model, I'd go into modelism. It makes absolutely no sense to me to build something out of Lego that can't even bare its own weight, or implement impractical features. My MOCs have to be fun to play, not just look nice on a shelf.

Anyway, it's always fun to take part in these TCs. I think the quality of my entries is improving and so is my satisfaction. Looking forward the next one! 

Thank you so much for supporting this little revamp of a Lego Technic classic !

Edited June 16, 2022 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy