Ts__ Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Hello. I am proud to show you my latest trailer with a new tractor unit. I have been building the MAN TGX since last fall: I kept rebuilding it because I wasn't satisfied with the result. Now it has reached a stage where I think it's ready to be shown here on Eurobricks without embarrassing myself ;-) I significantly improved the steering and drive of the MAN last fall, and my Scania trucks were also converted to this technology afterwards. Drive, steering, and control are handled by a Circuit Cube Bluetooth hub and two Circuit Cube motors. My truck is controlled via a Lego PU remote control (a microcontroller connects the remote control to the Circuit Cube via Bluetooth). This picture was taken at the beginning of the technical development. Later, I slightly revised the technology so that only the two motors and the Circuit Cube Bluetooth hub are third-party components. All other parts are from Lego. The truck is very compact, but I tried to capture a few details from the large MAN. And then you need a suitable trailer. I already have a few box trailers, so I wanted to try something new. It took me several attempts before I was able to build a good tank trailer. The interesting thing about the tank trailer is the saddle support. This can be extended or retracted so that I can also couple the trailer to the truck and drive it. The saddle support is operated by turning the last tank filler neck by hand. From there, an axle runs to the mechanism between the wheels and adjusts the saddle support. I really like the 2x2 curved slopes in metallic silver from Lego. They give the tank its metallic look and are real eye-catchers. And with the MAN, it looks even better, don't you think? Thomas Quote
boformer Posted February 28 Posted February 28 What a masterpiece, both the truck and the trailer! The mechanical features are just the cherry on top. Which round grey piece did you use between the metallic sections of the trailer? Quote
Ts__ Posted February 28 Author Posted February 28 Thank You! Most questions concern the light gray ring. But I must admit: it wasn't my idea. I had seen this part years ago on a steam locomotive as a boiler ring and remembered it. The part is a brake disc from Lego Technic . It's difficult to install because it has various raised sections that tend to get in the way. But it's doable and, as far as I know, the only part that allows you to create a ring of this kind. Break disc 65416 Thomas Quote
boformer Posted March 1 Posted March 1 17 hours ago, Ts__ said: The part is a brake disc from Lego Technic . It's difficult to install because it has various raised sections that tend to get in the way. But it's doable and, as far as I know, the only part that allows you to create a ring of this kind. It's crazy that you managed to install the saddle support technic axles through the little cutouts! I actually wanted to use that exact same part for a cathedral rose window, but ended up abandoning the idea because... it looks too much like a break disc :P Quote
Ts__ Posted March 1 Author Posted March 1 The difficulty with the saddle support was that there is a central cross axis running through the middle of the tank that holds everything together. And now the vertical axis had to go through it too... The brake disc as a cathedral window is also a cool idea. But I agree: in the end, it might look too much like a brake disc. In my case, you can hardly see the brake disc at all, and you just wonder: what is that part... Thomas Quote
LEGO Train 12 Volts Posted March 2 Posted March 2 I can't believe it, this is a miniature masterpiece! The truck design is complex, but discovering it also contains a Circuit Cube is absolutely insane! Quote
-DoNe- Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Just incredible. The design is so very good on it's own but then add in the fact that you've managed to get two motors and a circuit cube in there and we have the perfect Lego model. Quote
EWay Posted March 3 Posted March 3 There's so much to this that I love, it's incredible! The detail you've managed in that small scale (which I've come to expect from you), the nice part usage, the fact that you've managed to squeeze in both the circuit cube drive and the HOG saddle support control... but my interest is really piqued by the microcontroller-circuit cube combo. I have the same circuit cube kit but I don't like the phone interface so this is definitely something I'll look into in the future! May I ask what microcontroller you used? Quote
Thomas Waagenaar Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Whoa, that's really impressive! I love how you managed to get the mini steering into that small of a space! I've actually been trying something similar recently as well, but just gave up as it was giving me way more trouble than it was worth! And the use of those old technic brake disks? That's the cherry on top for part usage! Quote
Ts__ Posted Wednesday at 07:18 PM Author Posted Wednesday at 07:18 PM Thank you all! On 3/2/2026 at 9:07 PM, TLCB said: The Lego Car Blog Yeah, thanks! On 3/3/2026 at 11:52 AM, EWay said: but my interest is really piqued by the microcontroller-circuit cube combo. I have the same circuit cube kit but I don't like the phone interface so this is definitely something I'll look into in the future! May I ask what microcontroller you used? I uses a M5 Atom lite. I based my work on a project by Steffen / @Asper. Steffen laid the foundation, and I simply adapted the operating logic and motor control to my requirements. Infos from Steffen here at Eurobricks On 3/3/2026 at 12:59 PM, Thomas Waagenaar said: And the use of those old technic brake disks? That's the cherry on top for part usage! And here, too, I am not the sole creator. A few years ago, I saw a steam locomotive with boiler rings made from these brake discs and remembered it. My work is: how can I install the brake discs and use them for myself ;-) However, the installation of Circuit Cube and the steering, etc. is my own work and is the result of two years of trial and error and modifications... Thomas Quote
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