Modifying 8294 to act like 42006

[DarkShadow73]

I'm in a big money crunch and I'd love to buy the 42006 Excavator w/ the 4-prong jaws, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Crappy thing is I have $80 of in-store credit for TRU which would cover it, and a bit extra since TRU tends to go above TLG's MSRPs, but they don't have any there and after asking Cust Svc to check their in-coming shipments, all 3 area stores say they aren't going to carry it as none even can bring it up on their Technic 2013 inventory.

So, that being said, I'm looking at my current inventory of tracked excavators I could modify with a grabber similar to that of the b model of the 8464/59/39 Front Loader or other similar sets that have grab jaws but I want one that is tracked, so really my only options are the 8043 and the red 8294. The 8294 seems to be on par size-wise with the 42006 and the set up seems very similar with the exception of a mini-LA operating the jaws on the 3rd boom, but the 8294 only has 2 LA's on it, the 2nd one not directly operating the bucket unlike the 8043 which had that 3rd one for tilting the bucket, in the 8294 the 2nd LA just moving both 2nd and 3rd booms in and out.

If I took off the bucket on the 8294 and tried to rig up some, say 4x4 bent liftarms staggered on either side of the end of the 3rd boom assembly which is 1 beam, an opening, and another beam which would make 3 studs wide. Would be nice if I could operate it even manually from a gear knob on the back of the superstructure, the one I have has PF elements applied, but they only operate the LA's and a LED light kit that I plugged into the 'lights' on the first boom. The only problem is there isn't a lot of room to run a 2nd axle, u-joints, etc, up the boom assembly and down into the 3rd boom for a mini-LA to operate the jaws and also get the axle to somehow make it through the superstructure unimpeded and out the back to a hand turn gear, and to be honest I don't know how to set it up. On the Front Loader's b model one pneumatic piston and a set of 16-tooth gears work to open and close the jaws, but keep in mind I'm no MOCer like most of you are, so that's why I'm asking do you think this is possible on the 8294 and if so, how?

I did look at my built and modified 8043 (thanks to Jurgen V.), and it seems possible there, but a lot more complicated maybe?

Any ideas welcome and appreciated.

Thanks, Eric

[Alasdair Ryan]

We met again......

You would be better modding the 8043,take of the bucket LA and instead use it to power Efferman's scrap grab.

[Technic Gearhead]

Most of the instructions are available except the grabber. Take apart your 8294 and possibly something else red, and make a red one. I have an orange one under way and... j/k!

[DarkShadow73]

Most of the instructions are available except the grabber. Take apart your 8294 and possibly something else red, and make a red one. I have an orange one under way and... j/k!

The red color of the 8294 kind of grabbed me when I bought a few of them years ago, different than the standard yellow color scheme. The only thing I can see that might be an issue would be adding another mini-LA to power the claw. I sort of came up with an idea, but it seems like it would work better on the 8043 as Alasdair pointed out. I just don't see anyway to add another axle/u-joint combination and then an axle out the back to attach a gear to turn the axle. Think I'll try both ideas. I actually have a used 8294 I took apart a while ago I might mess with to see if there is any possibility of achieving this. Yeah if only TLG would get their act together and post the entire instructions instead of just book 1 of the 42006 would make things a lot easier.

I'd love to see an orange excavator, we have a lot of those around here, Hitachi makes orange excavators (saw one on the construction site behind my complex a few years ago and it had that 4-prong grabber attachment on it much like the 42006 has as they were taking apart a house and pole barn and loading the scrap into dump trucks.

We met again......

You would be better modding the 8043,take of the bucket LA and instead use it to power Efferman's scrap grab.

@Alasdair - what do you mean we met again? You are one of my friends on EB and also have given me advice on some ideas/projects and I appreciate your input. I'm kind of tossed up on what to do. I have one 8043 MISB, and 1 put together right now. Instead of building from scratch and opening a set I want to sell down the line I might take the bucket LA off as you suggested and try Efferman's setup, although it looks quite complicated, wonder if there are some instrcutions, can't really see all the pieces inside to know how to assemble, but I do have all of them in my spare parts collection.

[Alasdair Ryan]

I can make of instructions of a grab, what kind of grab are you looking for?

If you do a google image search and post a link to the right kind of grab I will see what I can come up with.

Alasdair - what do you mean we met again? You are one of my friends on EB and also have given me advice on some ideas/projects and I appreciate your input.

I am just pulling your leg.

Edited December 31, 2012 by Alasdair Ryan

[efferman]

alasdair, my scrapclaw is a little bit too big for 8297. this should fit better

100_9899 von efferman auf Flickr

[DarkShadow73]

I can make of instructions of a grab, what kind of grab are you looking for?

If you do a google image search and post a link to the right kind of grab I will see what I can come up with.

I am just pulling your leg.

Hey Alasdair - what I was more thinking of is the pics you posted last week, showing a 4-grab and 2-grab (real life jpgs). The 42006 has 4 grabs, but you also posted a pic of a 2 prong grabber used for logging, etc. That's my thinking. I took a look at my inventory of sets last night and b model of the 8416 (Forestry Truck), as well as the 8439/59/64 Front Loader's b model also has a similar locking type grab. I was thinking about the grabber portion and how to design that. I thought maybe offset 4x4 bent liftarms so they would 'lock' around an object. If I put on 4x4 bent liftarms directly coming together, a log would slip through, but offset ones, maybe with 1 stud in between them would more firmly grab an object and hold it tight, but I was looking at the 8294's 3rd boom setup, 2 15L beams with 1 stud length in between them. I could put one 4x4 on the outside of each beam and be able to use the 1 stud between the stock 15L beams for either an axle to come down between or add a 3L beam between the 2 15's, but if I don't get an axle and mini-LA it won't work, it would have to be a hand turn for the grab liftarms to come together.

alasdair, my scrapclaw is a little bit too big for 8297. this should fit better

100_9899 von efferman auf Flickr

This setup might work for my mod on the 8294, its a little more than I was thinking but it might work...thanks efferman.

[Alasdair Ryan]

How is this for you?

[DarkShadow73]

Heck even that would work, thanks Alasdair. I was thinking of 4x4" bent liftarms anyway since the 8294 isn't real big to begin with. I think my order for the 42006, posted in another topic, was somehow lost, I am going to call and cancel it tomorrow anyway. Too bad they take so long to credit you back, but they are lightning fast to take it when you purchase...I'll make do with my original plan for the 8294 and with your pic of the simpler setup it looks doable...thanks again.