42080 Forest Harvester - MODs and Improvements

[aminnich]

I am starting this topic now because this set is going to need a lot of help to get it to look anything close to perfect, that goes for the A-model and the B-model.  

I would be using the Ponesse Scorpion King as a reference for the A-model and the Ponesse Buffalo for the B-model. 

 

Putting the set's color vomit discussion to the side, this set is still ugly and needs some help, Any ideas, post away!

[Ngoc Nguyen]

 

[aminnich]

did you do that in photoshop?  It isnt half bad, but I still think that parts of the set need a total redesign.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Yeah I did that in Photoshop. I can't make the yellow right.

[Bartybum]

To get it close you’ll need to remove the battery box, which means going manual pneumatics. I’d suggest a pump that can be pulled out of the model’s back, or one that’s disguised as an exhaust stack.

By removing PF and the battery box you’ll be able to lower the height of the rear section and move it backwards, allowing you to also move the cabin turntable backwards so it’s over the steering pivot.

Finally you’d want to remove the steering and suspension of the front axle so that you can add new pendular suspension for the left and right wheel groups. In doing so you’ll also be able to lower the body height of the front and back.

[ukbajadave]

Got this fun little set for Christmas and once I'd built it I set about modifying it. The first thing I wanted to do was add another pump for more air volume. I tried motorising the hand pump from 42053 but that was a non starter.

 So I moved on to 2 small pumps with an offset crank.

Sadly the crank ended up 1/2 stud too long so switched to 2 pumps on 1 axle. To get a top mounting point I had to use the battery box as part of the frame so it is not quite so easy to remove any more.

This also meant the roof panel moved back 1 stud.

 

[Mechbuilds]

Just FYI. It's Ponsse. Not ponesse. 

[ukbajadave]

The other thing I found was the cab would swing on its turntable at the slightest movement. I wanted to add some friction and a HOG so I modified the front frame.

This meant the 12 tooth gear with a friction pin hitting a cross beam on the cab bottom.

By swapping some 2l pins and 3l pins I moved it forwards.

This has the added bonus of opening doors. That counts as a function 

 

I hope the driver doesn't knock his flask over when he gets in. Also above I added 2l beams to the valves controls.

Furthers mods include PF lights which needed a shorter beam to clear the battery connector.

I secured the white beam under the 2nd axle. I checked the instructions twice to see if I'd missed something but it really does seem to just swing loose otherwise?

And finally a worm gear driven cutting head. I like the way the standard mechanism locks by going over centre but this will hold at any angle.

 

If you look carefully you can see my failed attempt at a spring loaded blade. You can pull it back to "chop" the tree but because it rests in a forward position the tree no longer sits deep enough in the jaws. 

 

 

[SWL]

nice work