Rumors: 1h 2011 technic sets?

[efferman]

can we see small linear actuators on these Pic?

[tomacwhite]

Yeah they look like new smaller sized ones. Cool. Is the other page of the catalogue available?

[efferman]

i think this backhoe is a must have.

cool, currently the blueprints of a new steering system, which uses this mini actuators, are growing in my brain.

[Plastic Nurak]

Where I can find this catalogue ?

From early images I don't like the helicopter .

[grohl]

The small actuators look really cool. I would like to see the rest of the sets.

[CP5670]

The backhoe actually looks better than I thought. It's not fully featured like the earlier backhoes (only two degrees of freedom on the rear bucket), but for the price it packs in a lot of functions. The small LAs look very nice, and the set includes at least 4 of them too.

[Marckeyh]

I don't like either model to be honest. The helicopter is not too bad, but flying vehicles aren't my thing anyway...

The backhoe's proportions don't seem correct to me, the bucket on the back is too small, the roof is too low, the front lift arm looks wrong somehow, and the wheels are too chunky. Yes, I know, I'm a picky, but I can't help it

It's not final, so we'll see what the final model will look like.

[Blakbird]

I don't see any chance that those "mini LA's" are actually linear actuators. First of all, the big ones already have trouble with load, and those are simply too small for any internal mechanism. Secondly, there's no way a backhoe with gear systems for 4 LA functions as well as 4 LA themselves would come in at this price point. Therefore, I assume they are simply parts which look like actuators, but actually have no function at all. If true, this would mean that the functions need to be moved manually and the only geared function is the steering. This would be consistent with the price. Another possibility is that the tan bevel gear simply rotates the entire "actuator" about the lower mount, and the extension only happens as a side effect.

If you look closely at the excavator boom, it also looks like there are some new dark tan axle pins with stop. The new 4L axle pins with stop from last year had no stud on the old like the old ones, instead just a flat stop. I think I see some flat stops in dark tan, so these may be a different length, perhaps 3L.

It also looks like the Fiorino wheel cover is the tail rotor of the helicopter. The heli is VERY similar in size, color, and function to 8063. It looks more like a Coast Guard rescue helicopter though.

Edited September 22, 2010 by Blakbird

[Zerobricks]

Now that we have mini LA's, can we expect the mythical S motor?

[GuiliuG]

@ Blackbird : Do u really think that lego will produce new part just for the look? I doubt. If it's the case, this set will be a big flop ! But i don't think lego will create a new figurative la while a système of rods (?) would have sufficient and would reduce the price of the production . So i think it's a real La !

[Zerobricks]

They seem to have metal rods, so I bet my parrot that they work.

[Blakbird]

@ Blackbird : Do u really think that lego will produce new part just for the look? I doubt.

Sure they would. System sets do it all the time.

They seem to have metal rods, so I bet my parrot that they work.

I'll take that bet!

[Conchas]

I also believe the mini-LAs are functional.

[CP5670]

Therefore, I assume they are simply parts which look like actuators, but actually have no function at all.

That was my first thought too, but the backhoe bucket has no other means of operation. If all those functions are "fake" ones, the set would be a big ripoff even at 50 euros. I doubt TLG would release something that lousy for such a price. You can also see a 20t bevel gear on the front LA, suggesting that it does something.

[Pauger]

I'm almost certain you're wrong Blackbird. The excavator boom couldn't work like we see on the picture if they had been non-functional. Besides you can see that the LA's are extended differently, and that the LA-input is 3 studs wide - which is to make it fit with the bevel gears. In fact you can see that the front one is connected by a 12 and 20 tooth bevel.

Though I must say it's impressive how they can make it so small.

edit: bit late :P

edit2: I'll eat my socks if I'm wrong

Edited September 22, 2010 by Pauger

[efferman]

a kingdom for a explode view of these real/fake mini LAs.

i think it containes three parts.

the plastic body with the axle holes for the 20tooth bevel gear.

the rod with a inner screw thread

a screw with a new small bevel gear (eight tooth?) at one end.

btw. what dou you think how wide is the axle-hole-base of the mini LA?

[Blakbird]

I also believe the mini-LAs are functional.

Excellent, a controversy! It will be interesting to see what the truth is. Honestly, I hope you are right since "dummy" actuators would be lame.

[Plastic Nurak]

I'll eat my socks if I'm wrong

Good luck .

(jokin')

Edited September 22, 2010 by Plastic Nurak

[theSchwartz]

The Coast Guard helo looks nice and I like that it (to me- I know the image is hard to gauge scale from) appears larger than their last 'copter. Looking forward to this one.

[Blakbird]

You can also see a 20t bevel gear on the front LA, suggesting that it does something.

See my previous post. The bevel gear may rotate the entire body of the actuator, but not extend it directly.

I'm almost certain you're wrong Blackbird. The excavator boom couldn't work like we see on the picture if they had been non-functional.

True, it wouldn't work mechanically. But if the actuators are just friction devices then all they do is hold the arm in place at a given position. It's not a Technic set, but my son has the set below and it works exactly like that. You just manually move the boom into position.

I'm clearly on my own with this opinion though, so hopefully consensus in right!

[Pauger]

See my previous post. The bevel gear may rotate the entire body of the actuator, but not extend it directly.

I cant't really picture what you're thinking, the actuator seems to be fixed in both ends?

Nice with an extracting landing gear on the helicopter btw :)

Good luck .

(jokin')

Thanks

Edited September 22, 2010 by Pauger

[Zerobricks]

You can see the black 12 tooth gear power the 20 tooth bewel gear directly. Also if they would want friction rods, why make new ones? Why not use old ones?

Edited September 22, 2010 by Zblj

[efferman]

Backbone may excuse me but i have a part of the pic resized.

look at the first cylinder of the digging arm. It seems that it have a 20 tooth bevel gear too. i think that is a new hint to be sure that is a real LA.

and could it be that the digging arm did not could rotate?

Edit Bonaparte: Removed pic. It's not allowed to post pre-lim pics on Eurobricks. Thanks!

Edited September 23, 2010 by Bonaparte

[allanp]

I would say they are functional, with the extending part that you see having a threaded hole up the middle of it, inside that, a threaded rod powered by a bevel gear at the back, sort of like an inverse version of the bigger ones. I would think the extending part is plastic due to it's shape at the end requiring many machining operations to produce in steel in a financially feasable way. As the inner, rotating shaft has to connect to a bevel gear, could it be that this is plastic too, or possibly metal with a plastic moulding on the end. I think it woud be very difficult to incorporate a safety clutch at this size but who knows. The two sets hear look ok but I can see a world of trouble with those mini LAs, and since i'm no fan of the current, larger LAs, it might be good for my wallet to avoid sets whose prices are inflated by including mini LAs I don't want. In short, it looks good, but its not for me.

[Choops]

and could it be that the digging arm did not could rotate?

looks stationary to me. But may be able to swing side to side with universals or if the controls are close to the actuator.

Steve

Any more pics available?