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The Volvo FMX is an oddly styled truck, its bulldog nose like design stood out to me instantly. Having an inherent weakness for the odd I decided to build one all the way back in 2015. Four years later I proudly present my latest model :). Developing the Palfinger crane took the better half of the development time for this model. In order to house all the electronics necessary a flatbed truck design was chosen with 4 axles, 2 under the bed and 2 to support the crane and cabin. The crane is operated by 3 servo-controlled pneumatic switches, the newer style switch allowed me to build this more compact than we ever could! The Pneumatic cylinders for the extension sections have been modified to allow for a more realistic reach. Two original cylinders were cut and acetone welded together for each one of them. The compressor is powered by an L motor and assisted by a rubber band to reach the pressures necessary to operate the crane. The crane is able to reach the back of the bed, as was my goal, but isn't able to lift much anymore then, the limit of pneumatic control is really stretched when a single-cylinder needs to push an arm of 30+cm on a point 5 studs away from the pivot point. With all this functionality, details are fun but also frustrating to add. Two tiny tool compartments have been fitted on the rear of the truck stowing away lifting equipment. The engine is only built for the upper 2/3 to accommodate for the suspended axles and steering mechanisms. The model is also fitted with a full custom led kit. A custom electronics board with an Arduino pro mini takes the signals from the Sbricks and converts them into turn signals, driving lights, hazard lights and much much more. More can be seen on the Flickr album and in the Youtube video!

That looks very good indeed! And u are nutty to use 12L motors... One teeny bit of feedback though, personally I find the video a bit too long after 3 minutes my attention is gone. Though the first music sample u used was great, a lovely cartoony vibe.

There is not much of a plan usually. usually it goes something like this for me: Gather reference materials, blueprints etc. Build axles and chassis (for a truck or car). Build everything else. Sometimes I build in a rainbow color when I dont have everything in stock. But my ocd will go haywire on this tactic, so I try to keep up with bricklink orders usually. Besides the color building in sections is always a great help! Building modular helps keeping things easy to handle when working on a big project. Hope this helps :)

Looking good again! i wasn't sure about the hood when I saw in the inprogress pictures, but it looks much better finished :)

Nice model with loads of details! I like how the bullbar is slightly tilted forward.

lovely shaped vehicle . I especially like all the angles u managed to put the bricks on. If I may feel free for a little bit of critique: The windshield translation to the roof is a bit crude, something u have done a lot smoother on ur corvette!

I love it! Very neat design, straight out of a Lego cataloge it would seem .

Nice work! The hood is especially really smooth

Lovely bright colors!

Thank you guys!

A lovely build again. And all those hoses

I love it when a plan comes together! I like how you gave the model your own twist, personally I prefer these blocked stripes over the original!

Love the turbos on the motor!

Thank you all . @Beck that light bluish thing is a pantograph. Since this truck was used to repair or tow away damaged trams in the center of Amsterdam it was fitted with a spare pantograph on the rooftop. You can see it on the image below of the original When the going gets tough... By Henk Graalman on Flickr

After using too much time to build models that are way to big. I decided to build something more parts and wallet friendly. My heart fell for the LMSW 6x4 Wrecker which was put in use in WWII by the Canadian and British forces. After the war the vehicles were exported all over the world. One of them was put to use by the public transport company GVB in Amsterdam, Holland. This Lego recreation is build in scale 1:16 and is remote controlled with Sbrick. Using one XL motor for drive and a servo motor for steering. The cranes are build for looks rather then functionality. They can swivel and the hook can be lowered. The angle of the arms however is fixed. Building for looks the model has a complete detailed interieur with suspended seating, steering wheel, dashboard with gauges and all the levers a trucker can wish for. The interesting crane system used in the rear intrigued me to do the build. A really simple system for the stabilizers using chains and pins combined with two swiveling arms controlled by steel wires. The model is complete with tool and hardware boxes on the rear deck. A jack was transported with the truck in case Amsterdam bikers were trapped under the trams . PS, yes the rims are painted black.