Anybody Think That the 8043's Bucket Is Too Big?

[DarkShadow73]

Anybody agree that the bucket on the new 8043 Excavator is too large and out of scale for this model? I realize Lego has to re-mold new parts and it is generally more cost-effective to reuse old molds for new models, but I think the digging bucket is just too large for the excavator much like it was on the 8294 Excavator from 2008. I am thinking of trying to retro-fit that bucket which was used in many sets (8294, 8453, 8283 come to mind) on the 8043, though I am betting that would be too actually a bit TOO small for the 8043, something in between probably would have been more suitable IMHO, but am wondering what anybody else who owns this set thinks...

Eric

Edited October 23, 2010 by DLuders

[Mrlegoninja]

I think this goes in the Technic Forum...

[CP5670]

The old yellow ones in the 80s (used in 8862 for example) may have worked well here. The larger, front loader bucket is somewhere between the 8294 and 8043 buckets in size, while the smaller one may be too small but is actually more appropriate for an excavator.

And yes, this should be moved to the Technic section.

[Blakbird]

Anybody agree that the bucket on the new 8043 Excavator is too large and out of scale for this model? I realize Lego has to re-mold new parts and it is generally more cost-effective to reuse old molds for new models, but I think the digging bucket is just too large for the excavator much like it was on the 8294 Excavator from 2008. I am thinking of trying to retro-fit that bucket which was used in many sets (8294, 8453, 8283 come to mind) on the 8043, though I am betting that would be too actually a bit TOO small for the 8043, something in between probably would have been more suitable IMHO, but am wondering what anybody else who owns this set thinks...

Yes, I also think the bucket is too big for scale. The smaller bucket you mention also has a problem in that it is really a loader bucket, not an excavator bucket. The primary difference is the location of the attachment lugs. There actually are a couple of proper excavator buckets. The little one (8047, 8419, 8455, 8837) is way too small, but I think the old yellow one (8851, 8862) is just right.

Digging excavators typically have a narrow bucket to maximize pressure on the front edge and therefore give you the most power to crush rock and break through soil.

Occasionally excavators are used to lift loose material. In these cases a large bucket which can lift more volume may be used. This is often called a "yard bucket" or "mud bucket". The LEGO version obviously can't do any real digging, so it makes sense to be able to lift loose parts.

[DarkShadow73]

Sorry, new to this site, kind of confusing, didn't realize I was posting in the wrong section of the site.

Eric

I think this goes in the Technic Forum...

I agree, I am a fan of real-life construction equipment so am big into the realistic Technic construction models of the past few years and so I know about the digging buckets typically used on excavators. The 8043's bucket as well as the 8294's bucket was more of a yard or mud bucket like you say. But in this case, thought I might try to installing the 8294 bucket on the 8043 after I build it just to see how it looks. From the instructions looks like it might work with a few different elements to hold it on, and actually might eliminate a bit of excess weight from the digging arm so the linear actuators don't get stressed as much as I am familiar with recall of the LA's on the 8043. I received a service pack for 1 of mine, but bought 4 total, 2 for reselling down the road a few years after retirement of this model and 2 to build. 1 of them I'm just going to install the originally packed LA's lubed with olive oil to possibly eliminate the friction issue that plagued the LA's, and just use it for display and install the service kit on the other one to use for a fun toy for a 37 yr old AFOL to play with...

Yes, I also think the bucket is too big for scale. The smaller bucket you mention also has a problem in that it is really a loader bucket, not an excavator bucket. The primary difference is the location of the attachment lugs. There actually are a couple of proper excavator buckets. The little one (8047, 8419, 8455, 8837) is way too small, but I think the old yellow one (8851, 8862) is just right.

Digging excavators typically have a narrow bucket to maximize pressure on the front edge and therefore give you the most power to crush rock and break through soil.

Occasionally excavators are used to lift loose material. In these cases a large bucket which can lift more volume may be used. This is often called a "yard bucket" or "mud bucket". The LEGO version obviously can't do any real digging, so it makes sense to be able to lift loose parts.

[DarkShadow73]

Only problem is getting a hold of 8851 or 8862 bucket for my 8043.

Eric

I agree, I am a fan of real-life construction equipment so am big into the realistic Technic construction models of the past few years and so I know about the digging buckets typically used on excavators. The 8043's bucket as well as the 8294's bucket was more of a yard or mud bucket like you say. But in this case, thought I might try to installing the 8294 bucket on the 8043 after I build it just to see how it looks. From the instructions looks like it might work with a few different elements to hold it on, and actually might eliminate a bit of excess weight from the digging arm so the linear actuators don't get stressed as much as I am familiar with recall of the LA's on the 8043. I received a service pack for 1 of mine, but bought 4 total, 2 for reselling down the road a few years after retirement of this model and 2 to build. 1 of them I'm just going to install the originally packed LA's lubed with olive oil to possibly eliminate the friction issue that plagued the LA's, and just use it for display and install the service kit on the other one to use for a fun toy for a 37 yr old AFOL to play with...

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

I definately agree that the original 8043 bucket is way to big. Not just that, but the rotation point is in the wrong place and the bucket doesn't rotate in and out far enough. This causes the original 8043 to be very lousy at digging. That's why I replaced it with the 8294-bucket, which is a bit too small, but operates much better, making a better diggin'machine (cause that's what it is, right ?)

[Milan]

I also think it is way to big, I would use the one that Jurgen suggested, or the one (8862) that Blakbird suggested.

Actually I used that yellow one from 8862 for my excavator, similar in size with this, but different in scale.

[DarkShadow73]

Any special instructions for attaching the 8294's bucket to it? I suppose I could fuss around with it, but I know sometimes people do up simple instructions for retro-fitting a model with different attachments...thanks

I definately agree that the original 8043 bucket is way to big. Not just that, but the rotation point is in the wrong place and the bucket doesn't rotate in and out far enough. This causes the original 8043 to be very lousy at digging. That's why I replaced it with the 8294-bucket, which is a bit too small, but operates much better, making a better diggin'machine (cause that's what it is, right ?)

[Paul B Technic]

I think a change to a smaller bucket looks much better.

Paul

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Any special instructions for attaching the 8294's bucket to it? I suppose I could fuss around with it, but I know sometimes people do up simple instructions for retro-fitting a model with different attachments...thanks

Link to the large image

[DarkShadow73]

Thanks a lot Jurgen, I really appreciate the instructions.

Eric

Link to the large image

[Front]

Yesterday I wondered (because of this thread) if it would be possible to make a decent brick built bucket that would fit the Excavator ? (or buckets in different sizes for our needs). Anyone had thoughts on that ?

[DarkShadow73]

I know a lot of you are fans of the old brick style Technic models, but I personally do like the studless beams as far as visible parts and I sort of think a brick built bucket might detract from the fluid lines and curves of the 8043, just my opinion as you asked...

Yesterday I wondered (because of this thread) if it would be possible to make a decent brick built bucket that would fit the Excavator ? (or buckets in different sizes for our needs). Anyone had thoughts on that ?

Shoot - I don't have all the parts needed to make this MOD, or at least the right colors, I hadn't figured they wouldn't be part of the 8043's inventory. I have plenty of pins, axles, the of course you use the same fairings that are on the bucket attachment, but I don't have a couple of parts needed to complete the MOD in the yellow color, thought of subbing black but I don't have those either, all I have is mostly red or lt gray, and red would look pretty dumpy when it is mostly a yellow and black model. Might have to order from a parts seller on Bricklink, but at least I have the instructions to do the MOD. To a person who kind of stinks at doing MOC's and MOD's it is good to new there are many out there who have the expertise and creativity to do these MOD's. Thanks again Jurgen.

Link to the large image

[Blakbird]

Yesterday I wondered (because of this thread) if it would be possible to make a decent brick built bucket that would fit the Excavator ? (or buckets in different sizes for our needs). Anyone had thoughts on that ?

You could certainly make one. I've seen plenty of brick built buckets, and you could even use the simple old built up bucket like on 856. The problem, I think, is that brick built buckets tend to be heavier and 8043 already has trouble lifting the boom. Adding more mass would seem to be a losing battle.

[DarkShadow73]

That was my thought too, the standard large bucket is really quite light, but even with the new LA's installed it still struggles to lift the boom, albeit less than the original ones and hopefully they don't stress the motors too much as the original LA's did.

Had another question too as far as the instructions Jurgen posted on retrofitting the 8294 bucket. It is a bit vague on how it attaches to the swinging arm portion of the boom assembly. Step 16 is a bit unclear on attachment to the rest of it, does the axle leading through the secondary arm still go through the lt gray 3L part with the hole in the middle and axles holes on either end then attach directly onto the U-joint in the bucket tilt assembly? I guess that's where I am a bit confused. I can see it still attaches mechanically speaking with the 6x4 yellow liftarms and 5L yellow beams to the swinging arm assembly, but just want to make sure I'm doing it right, I did find some thin 5L black beams to sub the 5L thin yellow ones Jurgen had noted for the attachment of the bucket itself so got all the pieces I need to assemble it.

If somebody or Jurgen could clear that up I would appreciate it. Thanks.

You could certainly make one. I've seen plenty of brick built buckets, and you could even use the simple old built up bucket like on 856. The problem, I think, is that brick built buckets tend to be heavier and 8043 already has trouble lifting the boom. Adding more mass would seem to be a losing battle.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

@ TechnicFreak:

Are you reffering to the way the dipper is attached to the boom ? I don't have the model here, cause a number of parts were reused for a new MOC (coming soon).

Does this picture help ?

[DarkShadow73]

@Jurgen:

Yes, this helps, it looks like the same exact pinnings to the arm retraction/extension assembly, that clears it up for me. I noted you used a few different parts at the top of the assembly so wanted to make sure I had all I needed to assemble as I was able to locate all the parts, albeit in different colors in some of them.

Thanks.

@ TechnicFreak:

Are you reffering to the way the dipper is attached to the boom ? I don't have the model here, cause a number of parts were reused for a new MOC (coming soon).

Does this picture help ?

[DarkShadow73]

I installed Jurgen's bucket MOD for the 8043 Excavator last night and I have to say it is completely awesome and makes the bucket tilting much more realistic.

Thanks Jurgen - excellent job in designing this MOD.

Eric

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Glad I could help. I also noticed that the subject's title was changed. That was a nice surprise.

[DarkShadow73]

I thought it was odd too, I didn't change the subject heading...

Glad I could help. I also noticed that the subject's title was changed. That was a nice surprise.

[DLuders]

@ Jurgen Krooshoop & TechnicFreak: It was me who (inadevertently) changed the title of this topic. I merged TechnicFreaks' new topic (about praising Jurgen's bucket design), and the NEW post's topic overwrote the old topic's title. I changed THIS TOPIC's title back to a hybrid of the two. Sorry about that.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

So I noticed that, no problem

[DarkShadow73]

@DLuders - no worries...

@ Jurgen Krooshoop & TechnicFreak: It was me who (inadevertently) changed the title of this topic. I merged TechnicFreaks' new topic (about praising Jurgen's bucket design), and the NEW post's topic overwrote the old topic's title. I changed THIS TOPIC's title back to a hybrid of the two. Sorry about that.

[dr_spock]

I tried the bucket from my 8419 excavator and the one from my 8294 excavator.

I think something between 8419 and 8294 would be a nice fit.