doug72

Just had another test run of the under carriage unit and the the problem seems to lie with the caster unit differentials, with the 12 bevel gears skipping when under load especially when performing turns, also 43.2 x 22ZR tires are soft & squash causing them to come off the hubs as caster units turn. Going to have one last go & change them to 49.5 x 20 tires which are harder to see if that improves the traction & steering. Thanks for your kind comments - yes the build is the enjoable part I like the most, with problem solving & getting solutions. Its been a long build and time to move onto something else. I will change the topic title to End of build & soon dismatling. I have an idea for my next MOC but the scale & size depends on the right size wheels & tires. 49.5 x 20 too small & 62.4 x 20 too large !! Something in between would work. Outriggers already sorted. Doug

This build has been a success in devising new ideas and overcoming problems, and failures but the time has come to call it a day.

 Ultimately build was a failure as it got too big and too heavy for the caster wheels resulting in gears grinding and skipping, especially when testing the various steering modes.
It has also used a huge number of parts. Parts I am pleased with are the outriggers and the rotating crane section. The under carriage was a big challenge and very complicated in the final version. Video made with difficulty as can be seen in the last sequence. I would advise watch with the sound turned OFF !! Now being broken down & consigned to parts boxes ! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Time to move onto a new MOC which will be smaller and hopefully not so complicated and less ambitious.

24: 10 3: 6 25: 4 9: 3 15: 2 8: 1 Great to see the many non vehicle entries for this contest with innovative solutions.

Here's an outrigger I have developed for a future MOC:- It is self locking when deployed and at the moment they are hand operated but could use an M motor to operate a set of four outriggers together. Wheels are lifted clear of the ground. When stowed outriggers are within the wheel base. r

Asked my son who is an IT engineer and this is his response :- "Hard to say. I wonder if he has the brick connected when starting the app. He could try disabling Bluetooth. The forums talk about Silverlight issues. Here’s a Lego guide to fixing it." https://education.lego.com/en-gb/support/mindstorms-ev3/software-launch-issues Doug

Upgrade to High Sierra 10.13.3 and try again.

Outriggers changed to GREY housings & looks much better than red ! Excuse poor lighting - no sun today. A video will be awhile due to wall papering a large room at present !!

The problem is if the rubber band or springs are too strong then the PF switch can detach from the 2 x 2 plate with pin hole connectors when operated !!!

Check the 8T gears, I had the same clicking issue on a recent MOC and eventually found it was due to bent teeth due to overloading. It was one of the latest design of strengthen 8T gear.

Tried that and the hockey spring is not strong enough to return the PF switch back to centre.

Two way - Return to Center Sprung PF switch:- Tested and works OK.

I'll put my thinking cap on !!

Also useful for steepers.

Thanks, but have used a solution suggested by Aventador2004 which looks good and can support weight of my MOC.

No, I it’s only 5L x 5L inside and the L motor plus gearing to linear actuator fills it. Tried a mock up using two small L.A, end to end but only gain 1L travel and not very smooth due need to let one rod turn the other, by overcoming the internal clutch.

Take a look at the outriggers on my mobile dock crane MOC which use the new 1L worm to extend the outrigger arms, they are a linked together from one M motor via a 24/1 worm drive gearbox. Then imagine them placed vertically. By using worms on the outrigger racks they cannot move and can support a lot of weight.

Thanks for that - I'm not a fan of pnuematics with all the hoses etc. Theres no room in tower anyway to make a custom luffing system using a 11L gear rack.

Nope tried it and doesn't work

Took me 10secs to split it apart using a needle point inseerted between the gray part and the black part. Push needle point in the small gap and then prise them apart. BUT the inner section of the gray half gets crushed !!!

Being retired and all the bad weather we have been having means a lot of time at home.

Thanks you both for your comments, I am pleased with the technical aspects, only thing I would like to improve is the luffing range as the large linear actuator does not have enough travel. Using a pnuematic actuator posssible if I had one but would require an air compressor and servo to control the air switch. Grey rack housing due soon - had to order them from Holland.

Thanks for the instructions - now built but got stumped at the last page when I couldn't find a blue Lego rubber band. Eventually use 1mm elastic cord and now working great.

Conclusion.
 This has been an epic & massive build with many false starts and dead ends and has made a severe dent in my spare parts ! From a technical point of view it has been a success in getting all desired functions working in the space available, especially in the under carriage. From an aesthetic view - which is not my strong point - not a success as its too bulky and boxy. So further work will be limited to replacing the red outrigger housing with grey once received.

Re Outriggers. I see you are having issues the same as I did on my Mobile Dock crane. The new housing and racks work without sagging and to get them working together I used linear clutches and by keeping drive running until they all reach and an end stop they get back in sync again. Thats why I started an Outriggers Thread so members can post solutions & ideas for them. Best of luck getting them to function.