doug72

Thanks for confirming that. I like to compose text and links on my computer then Copy / Paste onto a forum page but lately not been able to doi that. OK if click and drag across. Might be the latest Mac OS update thats causing it.

Can someone explain how to post YouTube videos since the software upgrade. The previous method does not seem to work, i.e. [m.e.d.i.a.] ----[/m.e.d.i.a.] and dropping the "s" from https. For my last post I eventually got a video on line by just copying the YouTube URL.

This is the prototype gearbox for my next MOC:- M motor input with rotation one way only. Yellow output either 1:1 (fast) or 3:1 (slow) ratio. Red output either forward or reverse to a worm drive unit. Still needs more work to be make it more compact but works OK. IMG_4119 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Neither will work as the 1/2 bushes cannot enter either type of driving ring. The top one using a plain 2L sleeve will not stop at positive positions - I tried that when building a c/o unit for a GBC.

The critical distance is the overall length when all the correct componants are assembled. i.e new type 5L:- Red clutch gears / grey driving ring / white sleeve old type 4L:- Grey clutch gears / red driving ring / 2l sleeve If mix and match parts from the two types then overall length changes along with friction. Red clutch gears can only be used with the new DBG driving ring but not the old Red driving ring. Grey can be used with both driving rings. re 24T White clutch gear: These can be modified to be used with driving rings by removing the centre part and pressing in a grey 16T clutch gear. I am using this MOD to build a gearbox for my next MOC which requires a fast and slow output plus a seperate forward/ reverse output.

MOC - Completed with a minor modification to improve ball transfer on the conveyor. Two cleats fitted to conveyor as found Lego balls tended say in one place & rotate on the belt. Underside brace on conveyor structure removed to allow the cleats to pass. Bucket Wheel Trencher in action:- Video showing the track drive / steering / raising & lowering bucket wheel / bucket wheel turning with conveyor running. Using a mock trench to show digging action demonstrated and ball pick up / discharge. Note: trailing support arm removed to allow Lego balls to be hand loaded. With a longer conveyor would make a good GBC module.

Driving the BW using an M motor directly is much simpler, smoother & reliable as shown in my Bucket Wheel Trencher posts, either close connected or by long drive axles with motor placed on the BW arm. All you need is an extension lead, an interlocked PF switch and eliminate all the gears between the conveyor belt and bucket wheel gear racks. Re B model: This has got to be the most frustrating technic model I have ever built. Despite playing very close attention to getting the build correct and having re-built it from scatch it still deposits 1 x 1 bricks all over the place with only some actually reaching the correct conveyor !! Some drop out bottom of machine and others end up on the wrong conveyor. All in all 42055 set is a great parts set.

Update: Mark 2 cabin built but very cramped due to three PF switches and operator can only stand ! Mark 3 cabin built without PF switches - operator now has a reclining / rotating seat. Controls:- All functions now control via two PF Receivers with a hidden PF switch to reverse the conveyor as required. Two PF 8885 IR remotes used, see photo. 1/ Track drive (black lever) and steering.(Steering wheel) 2/. Raise/lower bucket wheel. (Red lever) BW rotation (Blue lever) interlocked by a stop to ensure can only rotate in the digging direction. 3/ The PF switch is hidden inside below the cabin and only powered when BW rotates. Switch position c/o using the 1L yellow button just below front corner of the cabin. IMG_4100 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr IMG_4101 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Gabi, thanks for the comments and suggestion about the cab. I will try and re-configure it, depends if able to re-position the three PF switches. Re Instructions:- sorry no plans - I tend to have an idea and build as I go, resulting in many changes as the build progresses. As for LDD I have no idea how to use that. The photos in the previous posts will give you some idea how its built. The BW is as built for the BWE but the way it is supported totally different.

My MOC nearing completion, just a few more “decorative”parts to put in place. Have tested the digging function and it picks up bricks well and ejects them via the conveyor OK. I plan to make a video showing this once I build a demonstration digging trench box with a clear side panel. IMG_4097 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr IMG_4096 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr

Tried your idea and it does increase the slope angle but the linkage to the shaking frame needs to be re-configured and may foul something later on in the build. One problem is that when conveyor at shallow angle the 1x1 bricks can roll back and slide off the conveyor under the machine. I have made the gap smaller by adding a 1/2 x 5L beam to the front of the 5L yellow beam. The black pin still is lifted by the the 3/4 pin as each cleat passes as image shows in earlier post.

B model re-build and improvements: Following the failed 1st build of the B model it was broken down and parts sorted into containers. I have decided to re-build this again to find out where I went wrong before and test things as the build progresses. Fault 1: found I had omitted both gears at step 32 i.e. 16T & 20t gears. At step 211 tested conveyor and both tracks moved correctly before continuing the build to step 302 where I found :- Fault 2. I had put the smooth side of 3 x 11 panels facing outwards which caused 1 x 1 bricks to lodge in the panel recesses. Corrected and on to step 337 when tested if the 1 x 1 bricks would slide down the ramp and onto the conveyor. Found that some were still reluctant to slide down the ramp despite manual rocking the ramp. Made a small MOD which has improved this - inserted 3/4 pins into the centre hole of each cleat on the conveyor which raises the inclined bed higher as each cleat passes giving a bigger drop which shakes the 1 x 1 bricks loose. Even reluctant bricks eventually move without using the lego manual device !! Tried half pins but works better with 3/4 pins and does not foul anything as conveyor rotates as long as conveyor is raised more than 15 degs. Found some bricks could still get lodged between the bottom of the ramp and conveyor side walls. This has closed off on both sides by exchanging both the Yellow 2L beams for 3L. see photo. IMG_4092 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr The re-build progresses.

Milan used a ferris side wheel to construct a large turn table for the TC8 crane contest. Lego Round Brick 13.667 x 13.667 Fabuland Hollowed (47750) I obtained one but could not figure out to use it - maybe Milan can explain how his turntable was built. PS for some reason unable to "paste" a link for this part.

Take a look at the two Efferman 3D printed turntable with 13L or 17 L diam. I have used them for use on large cranes - they work very smoothly.

I have not been able to replicate this fault and my Z60 turntables rotate freely on all my builds. Are you sure that the black part of the turntable with gear teeth is not catching elsewhere. The underside of the black teeth can rub on other parts as they stick slightly proud of the grey turntable part. Sometimes connector pins can stick slightly proud out of the hole and catch other rotating / sliding parts.

Jim, works on my iMac OK on both Safari & Firefox - latest Mac software uploaded a couple of days OK - now OS 10.11.6 Doug

Works OK if the machine is standing on a 30 deg. slope ! Next step sort out parts boxes for break down of B model.

The pale blue & grey text is almost impossible to read when you have cateracts !!

Images in posts are not showing just the link address that is not active.

Not Fixed !! Seems I missed both gears at step 32. Managed to get the 16T gear in place and conveyors running but now found tracks only rotate in one direction as I misssed putting the 20T double bevel gear in at step 32 !! Cannot see how to fix this without a major strip down. Thus tracks only rotate one way unless reverse battery switch. With the build so far I tested the seperating function and very disappointed in its ability to sort 1x1 bricks from 2x2 bricks. with 1x1 bricks not sliding down the ramp onto the conveyor. Also it is very slow despite new batteries. I enjoyed the building of the BWE but not the B model using on screen instructions - hence I will be breaking it down and consigning the parts to my spares and complete my BW Trencher MOC.

Oh Dear !!!! Major B model problem. Got all the way to step 662 page 536 and put in the 9L yellow axle with lever for driving ring change over. Hooked up a battery to test model. Tracks rotate OK but conveyors not turning. Traced fault to step 32 page 86 where I had missed putting a grey 16T gear onto the grey axle. Can't see a way of fitting it without a major strip down and re-build. FIXED - managed to remove the black 3L axle connector with cross hole - allowing the grey axle to side back releasing the black 12T double bevel gear and exposing where the 16T gear should go. Missing gear inserted and axle slid back into position along with 12T gear. 3L axle connector persuaded to go back in place and axle slipped back into engagement with it. Tested and conveyors and tracks operating correctly. Part of the periels of building off a computer screen instructions, need to double check each step correct. Phew - panic over !!

How about this:- http://www.brickowl.com/catalog/lego-beam-4-with-ball-cup-socket-15459 The ball/axle & ball/pin fot the socket.

Firstly I have never set out to construct this MOC as a "C" model of the 42055 BWE set. It is based around the BWE excavator wheel as built and using the left over parts from the 42055 "B" model which I am still building "s l o w l y". The other parts required are from my stock of parts or on order ( yellow panels ). As per post 13,16,18 the MOC has five (5) functions all powered using PF parts 1/. Bucket Wheel rotation. M motor 2/. Conveyor discharge belt. M motor 3/. Raise & lower BW assembly. L motor 1 to 3: all controled manually by PF switches located in the operators cab. 4/. Drive to both caterpillar tracks XL motor 5/. Steering M motor using a subtractor gearbox. 4 & 5 Controled remotely by basic PF Tx All the panels are not decorative and perform a function as they form part of the rigid structure required to ensure it functions OK and can carry the weight of the BW unit without over toppling. At the moment only "decorative parts" are floodlights, driver, air filters (used to open battery compartment) Battery box has been re-located (to make the switch more accessible) - currently its part of the framing - later I hope to make irt removable. This gives more space for the engine - with room now for an *8 cyl. Vee engine plus space for a possible drive path to rotate it from the track drive unit. Once completed hope to demonstrate it digging and discharging the spoil. As each step in the build is completed I find ways to improve previous completed sections - its a back and forth build without any instructions save an idea in my head of what i want to achieve. I may later try and build a Gyrotiller, another MOC idea I have long wanted to build. Doug

At the moment run out of parts and only one side of the machinery section is completed. Awaiting more 5 x 11 yellow panels from Lego to complete the other side. One problem is how to hide all the holes in the panels !! The Cab: First attempt at the operators cabin. I always find it hard to marry studless with studded technic hence roof cabin arrangement. IMG_3960 by Doug Ridgway, on Flickr Next step engine casing and maybe devise a way to turn the 6 cyd. Vee engine.

Thanks for the comment. I have made a slight modification to the PF switch bank by rotating it 180 degs to allow cables to be hidden better and also to allow space for the divers legs in the cab.