Berthil

As a final image, I've put together all positions where the original decals have been used. The decals for the function switch have been used on the road to indicate what gear rack does what.

The model looks absolutely stunning and very alike the original! Looking forward to the video to see all functions at work.

Parts have arrived and final model is build. All works well, tomorrow the video and free building instruction will be ready. Very happy with the looks and playability.

@Jim I've seen the remark in the TC25 entry topic should contain a picture of the original model. Can I suffice with a render in Stud.io because I've build the original model completely in Stud.io as I don't own the original model. It was during my (early) dark ages when it was issued. I could buy one but all cables will be crumbled and it contains a lot of old grey. I like the model very much but am not keen on owning one. I could also use generic box art images but these will be mostly bad quality as the model is from 1997. Using Stud.io renders also gives me the option to directly compare it with my smaller model.

You need an agitator. From bigger opening to smaller opening will 'funnel' and get stuck unless agitated, even GBC balls. But in such a small space also the agitator will probably get stuck. You're trying to let LEGO elements behave like a fluid but they are not.

To make the gearing clearer I made the below video out of 146 Stud.io renders and image overlays including realistic rotation of every gear and positioning of elements in every step.

A rubber band crossed my mind but haven't tried it yet because the claws just about pick up the tire. Any resistance and the tire stays on the table. Will see how it goes with new gearing but I expect lower forces so may be also a lower clamp force although that is for the most part related to the weight of the whole arm that needs lifting up. I'll try the rubber band.

I'm happy to report the tire lifting works but gearing needs to be changed so it can be operated with a bit less force. It uses strings through 3mm rigid hoses instead of the cable system. Obviously strings can't push (although they do a little bit) so the tire clamp needs to be opened by hand. But video's from the original model show this was also needed occasionally with the 8479. To finish the model only some roof parts are needed from B&P. I'm 57 but LEGO still amazes me, think of a concept, design it, build it, finetune it and it works.

Started working on the free building instructions while waiting for (PaB) parts. Here the bi-directional gearing for the tire dumper.

While waiting for parts and finishing a kitchen rebuild, I've recreated the original 52 building steps of the Barcode truck and tried to add the shrink model parts in the same building steps. Next is building the dumper arm, I hope it will work properly.

Nice idea with the graphic :)

You can add the orders as 'Have' to your wanted list, but only after you ordered them. Getting the last 5% is often the most expensive as these are the rare parts. I normally start with these and compare vendors and prices manually over all carts that have the rare parts as shippings costs quickly add up. Also don't forget LEGO Brick & Pieces, free shipping and Gift With Purchase if the order is high enough. New parts from new molds or new color are generally cheaper at LEGO B&P.

Thank you for your feedback! The road is not smooth yet (waiting for parts) and after this I moved the attachment point under the tipper forward for less momentum, two gear racks cover the entire motion and runs smoother already. I can change gearing but the road would get very long, I think it is okay now and no need to make the road longer. I have three gears on the underside, they are visible on the size chart. The back one is for the tipper which is just driving backward and forward on the same gear racks as in the video. The front two front ones are for arm up and arm down to be able to move the arm up or down separately while driving forward in one motion. In hindsight this also might have been one gear like the tipper, drive over the same gear rack but opposite direction (turn model 180 degrees). All three gears have 1L offset so in the end there will be three gear racks with one stud in between to control the three movements with the three gears. I intend to make the control road for the arm mirrored so that it does matter in which direction the model moves over the gear racks. There is no centering, the model is 14L wide and the road 16L, it's just a matter of keeping the model between the white dotted lines. I hope I can make it clearer in the video if my writing isn't clear enough.

I'm in the final stage so created this size chart as final size of the model is fixed. Overall a 40% reduction so model is 60% of the original size.

Very nice model! Photos are good, I also brighten them up a bit after a render. Setting the Lighten Intensity to 1.1 or 1.2 in Stud.io also helps.

Thanks for posting. I did not know this although I think I remember this book from my youth. The idea from the book are 'coding strips' rather than gear racks on the road but the principle is of course the same. The strips are probably easier to operate, also because they use a motor and in this model are no motors. So the movement of the model is used for the mechanical movement of tipper and tire dumper through the gears.

Good to know, didn't know that although I have the age for it. It happened during my dark age :)

Proof of concept via crappy iPhone movie. Need to develop more feel for it but the road is not finished, waiting for parts.

I hope so because I just bought the original sticker set for the Barcode truck (not cheap) and had to apply over maximum of 2 parts because ... well ... the contest model is smaller.

I think via Parts Designer where you can make a (big) custom part and apply a (big) custom sticker image. Good idea to do that, especially if the front view is used to compare as in front view the 3D perspective is gone.

If found a black Door 1 x 4 x 6 with 3 Panes and Stud Handle with Trans-Clear Glass on the corner 8000 studs away via Top Perspective. If you search for Door in the part search you will see three door entries. If you delete that one from the parts list and do reset to origin it will be okay. I have a correct file, let me know if you manage yourself. If not I will upload.

I don't know why but the canvas is 3139.5 suds by 8741.2 studs! So the model is lost somewhere, I'll try a few things to see if it can be salvaged. Seems like you have loose bricks very far away from your model.

It's not downloadable, you did not share with link only.

Just ordered the original sticker set for my Barcode model, was also not cheap!

If you make the file available to me I can have a look. PM me a link for download or something like that.