Cumulonimbus

Standard rims, but custom wheel covers designed by efferman. More info about them can be found in this topic. The mods are more extensive on both models: 42030: effemans wheel covers, effermans steering mod, new rear bumper/light units by my own design and some body tweaks. 8110: widened cabin and bed, extra pneumatic connections, modified light units with LEDs and plans for tilting bed.

I like this game of pinning the Claas tires on other vehicles, can I join with these: (an unfinished MOD of the Unimog and my finished MOD of the 42030)

Looks good effe, although I don't have a strong preference for RC, I appreciate your ideas for improvements to the structure and playability. Do you plan a trailer hitch, maybe like the prototype you made for your Arcos? I really miss this feature on the standard model.

I disagree, IF the designer(s) succeed in modelling the telelever front suspension and the single-sided paralever rear suspension of the real machine, this might become one of the best Technic bikes to date. I have done several attempts at MOCing this machine without succes, so I will be very interested in "official solution" for the complex challenges. Since this will be a licenced set, the pressure to get the looks and the mechanics right will be high. Looking forward to more info about this particular set. For the container transport, I hope for a 42024 scaled truck, trailer and detachable container.

For a while now, I'm working on a crawler crane. As discussed elsewhere, progress has stopped and this topic is an attempt to jump start the build again and finish it so it can join my collection. So here it goes: The project started with the launch of the 42042 Crawler crane and was a simple MOD at first, but quickly evolved into two MOCs. It didn't like the proportions of the body and cab of the 42042 and wanted to add some features like expandable or removable tracks. The first LDD sketches looked something like this: As some will probably notice, at this point I was still considering to make its larger brother the Liebherr LR1250 as well as a HS855HD. The LR1200 plan has been dropped, because it was simply a bigger version of the 8288 and brought nothing new. During my research, I found the HS855HD was more interesting, because it's a so-called duty cycle crane, a very versatile machine designed to do repetitive tasks efficiently, for example dragline work, soil compacting, (un)loading bulk materials etc. One of the consequences is the fact it has a free fall function on some of its winches, making it possible to drop the bucket or tool to either save time or to provide impact force (you can see this feature in and ). This seemed a nice function to try to implement in my MOC.After a few trial and errors, I came up with this internal mechanism: (The newest clutch parts are not used yet in this image) The controls are very similar as in the 42042: each winch has one switch with two positions: one for winding up the winch, one for winding it down. It is powered with the L motor of the 42042. My addition is the clutch system (in yellow) for the green and blue winch. Push the lever and the winches are simultaneously disconnected form the rest of the system and will unwind under the weight of the tool attached. Releasing the lever will allow the spring to re-engage the yellow clutches, linking them again to the drive. Meanwhile, I also wanted to capture the looks of this machine. It has linked manual expandable tracks, a tiltable cabine, and a inspection hatch. This is the current state of the tracks and body: At the moment, the bottleneck is the fact that the clutch system has too much back-lash or too much play to fully disconnect. I need to move the spring closer to the lever I think, which is rather challenging due to the compact build. Another issue to be solved is the expandable tracks which seem to snag on the chassis when under load. I would like to make my MOC as versatile as the real machine and design the parts to convert it in a dragline, double hook, clamshell bucket or foundation excavator configuration. To be continued ...

Thank you for the advice so far. It’s funny, my first reaction to the suggestions of just throwing the stalled projects was: “Noooo!” So I guess I must still be passionate about them. Of course you are right that this is just a hobby and that the end result is not the goal, but I think my brain needs the end goal to keep going. The design process is cool in itself, but to own a model of an interesting machine, with some of it most crucial features represented, is a big part of my motivation. The other great motivator for me is learning to understand the real machine and its features. I think there might be truth in the statement that I'm too ambitious. Not necessarily in brick count or size (I tend to start my creations based on official sets), but in complexity. Too many challenges in one project might render the puzzle close to unsolvable. Additional challenge is that I don’t have a dedicated Lego room/area, so when I reach a standstill I need to make the table top free for other activities. This makes rebooting a project even harder because I need to “install” my bricks and tools again before I can do anything useful. I already build as modular as possible , the tricky bit is in most cases the combination and interaction of these modules. I use LDD extensively in my build process, either to try different solutions for a sub-problem without the limitations of my parts collection, and again near the end to optimize the structure, part count etc. My build process generally looks like this: Idea -> sketches on paper -> LDD sketches -> proof of principles/modules in real bricks -> first complete model in bricks -> optimisation in LDD -> rebuild model in bricks Maybe I should make a WIP topic for one of my projects and see how it goes. PS: Slightly off topic, but I wonder how active the Lowlug is in the field of Technic. I once tried to sign in, but my e-mail account was not accepted. From what I see on their Technic forum, it is rather quiet in the field of Technic.

Ah thanks, that makes sense. So this is an updated image:

Thank you very much for the LDD-file, I took the liberty of hiding the structure and highlighting the functions in different colours. I really like the clever mechanisms in this set: One thing confuses me though, the drive to the PTO's (in red) appears to be liked to the M-motor with two sets of gears, but each is geared in a different ratio (see image below). Although there is a clutch gear, this seems to be a stange construction or am I missing something?

I finally have some time on my hands to continue my WIPs but I am confronted with a huge amount of unfinished work. My MOC list contains dozens of Technic projects, ranging from nearly finished to just an idea. I heard the saying here that MOC is never truly finished, but I have some difficulty in reaching a satisfactory result in my projects: I typically grind to a halt when bumping into a problem I can’t immediately solve. I put the project aside at this point in search for inspiration, but this small delay often turns into weeks and months (in some case even years). In other words, I’m a great starter of Technic projects, not so great at actually completing them. When this happens in my professional life, there is always external pressure in the form of a project leader or deadline to push me over the bump. In MOCing however, it is just me. This leads me to my questions to you, fellow MOCers: Do you recognize the lack of motivation/energy to finish a MOC? If so, do you have tricks, methods, deadlines, etc to continue and actually finish? (related to B) Do you find that the community helps you in continuing your build process, for example with a WIP thread on a forum? Very curious about your experiences and tips.

Thank you Sariel for the review and the interview video, I find both very enlightening. There are some clever functionalities in this set. Not completely convinced by the looks yet, though. As for the remark that this set doesn't look like a real model, Google for the BWEs a company called Sandvik makes, you will be supprised by the similarities (I can't upload an image at the moment).

Once I have finished mine, I will try your mod.

I couldn't stop myself from buying a copy last weekend. Last night, I finished box 3 and I would like to share some observations/opinions: + To me, it is a must buy for any Technic fan who likes flagship-like models (if you can afford it). It is big, heavy and striking model and provides a long, satisfying build + Although it's a bit flawed (my gearbox also stops at non-90 degree phases) the gearbox is a nice mechanism and really invites shifting + The new parts, especially the wheels and wheel arches are nice additions and really make this model. - I was a bit surprised by the amount of force required to shift up or down. It feels unnatural for a Lego model. - After finishing the gearbox and the "steering column module", the build gets a bit uneventful (don't want to use the word boring here). The Arocs for example offered more intriguing constructions spread out over the whole build process Another point which strikes me is that this scale requires a lot more bracing and structure than I have seen so far in official models. A huge part of the parts are needed to make a structure able to support this model. The door sills and parts of the chassis for example are massive with numerous beams in different orientations running side by side. So far, the following modifications were made during the build: the "Blakbird step 5 mod", reducing colour vomit and some changes to reduce the friction in the gear train. After finishing, I will look at more extensive modifications.

This situation creates a lot of rumours. Today for example an employee in a local toy store here said he thought the 42056 was only produced in a series of 40000 with the exclusive box and hinted that after those, the set might be available in a "normal" box. He didn't provide sources, so I'm doubtful. This shop hasn't seen any 42056 boxes, but there will be some available in september ... not sure what to think at the moment.

It's relatively new design decision made by Volvo and it will be applied to all Volvo earth moving equipment. If you google some more (for example here) you will find newer excavators and machines which do have the orange handrails and steps. For example:

I consider myself lucky that I have had the opportunity to drive a few of "real Technic sets": So far I have driven the following machines (besides a load of cars and jeeps): 20+ different motorbikes, a dirt bike, go-cart, medium sized Volvo front loader, a vintage tractor, a sit-on lawnmower, several types of forklifts, a cherry picker, a scissor lift and 10 minutes in a light aircraft. Many more machines are on my wish-list and I'm always on the lookout for the opportunity to drive a new machine. As for the question of TS of which came first, it's not so black and white for me. Sometimes I need to have driven the vehicle first to spark the interest in the Technic model (like the motorbikes), but other times, the machine itself fascinates me enough to buy the set and only later the change of driving it comes along (like the front loader).

The Technic vehicle/creation which still stands above anything else I have seen so far, for me, is pipasseyoyo's Subaru Impreza WRX STi. It is very realistic in both its features and styling, and I think it is as close to a perfect model of a real car you can get in Technic. The lines of the car are so realistic because it is covered in panels and I feel that with the soft axle technique, this MOC would not have been this striking. I appreciate the attraction of the "steam locomotive effect" where you can see the functions at work, but most contemporary machines are covered up for various reasons. Therefore, if you want realism in a set, it is my opinion you should also use panels to represent the body as realistic as possible.

The technical name is 'terrifying shredder of death' I believe. Don't really know to be honest, some kind of cultivator or mulcher like TheItalianBrick mentioned. It was shown at the latest Bauma exhibition and more images can be found at this site, like this one: Edit: apparently it's a mulcher called "Maxisoil" made by Seppi (their website) and it really is designed to shred just about everything, you can see it at work attached to a Xerion in .

I will be excited if the Porsche really will turn out to be the first of a series. It makes me dream of a series of creations similar to the Modulars: machines (not necessarily just vehicles) designed in the same scale, getting better with each new release, providing a tonne of build pleasure and which will look awesome when displayed together. Since this is a speculation topic, what could be the interval between "Ultimates", given the fact that the 42056 took at least 3 years to develop. One a year seems a bit ambitious...

In my opinion, TLG will never go back to plastic inserts in packaging: TLG has made a very strong commitment towards reducing its environmental impact (even considering more sustainable resources for its bricks). I think that even in an "Ultimate" sets like this, the packaging will still be discarded by let's say 60% of the buyers and cardboard is much easier to source and dispose of with relatively low impact.

I don't know why TLG made the switch, but I'm happy they did. The 8439 front-end loader was the first set which made the potential of studless clear to me. The studless elements achieved angles in the rear and the cabine which weren't possible before and really added to the good looks of the set, I still have mine on display today. Another advantage I really like is the possibility to build very compact, while not compromising on rigidity and functionality. The result is that similar sets in a similar scale tend to have more features in the studless era or to put it in another way, sets with similar features can be build much smaller. I still remember the frustration in my teens while trying to build a wheeled excavator with studded bricks in the Technic figure scale. I couldn't build it with the features I wanted without making it weak or bulky. The 42006 (MOD) achieved it with ease. Go team studless! (I do like studded pieces as well, even in a studless model they are indispensable for applications such as grills, lights, crane booms, etc)

@ Anio: Thank you for the small update, that really does sound serious.

Take it easy, I have always tried to defend the 42056 here, but I hope I can allow myself some suggestions to improve it. I will try to explain why I'm not a big fan of too much colour variations in a model: First: I like the contrast between the exterior and the mechanisms and structure underneath. Bodywork can be any color you like, but in a chassis or a structure I like to see colour choices based on function. For example a DBG chassis, LBG mechanisms and black power trains. This is a very personal preference. Secondly, to me, bright colors in the structure or the mechanism shout out "this is important". In earlier sets this principle has been used to indicate manual inputs (switches, knobs and cranks), or detachable connections (Unimog couplings for example). My problem with the phenomenon now known as colour vomit is that now too many things shout "I'm important" while they really aren't, leading to a restless impression. In brick-build structures (like SW as you mention) this is not really that big problem, but the see-through character of Technic models lead to a less strong impression. To be more concrete: why are some parts of the supporting structure orange, why is the steering axle towards the front axle yellow, why are the internal 1/2L bushings yellow? At the same time the interior of the 42056 is mostly black, further highlighting all bright colors of parts around it. The interior itself should get all the attention not some random axle or connector which just happens to be in view.

For me, these models were partly the reason why I lost interest in Technic back in the day. I always had a preference for sets which represented a real machine and were recognizable as such. I just couldn't relate to these sets, because they did not resembled any vehicle I knew. The styling felt too quick and dirty and the colors (lime, azure, purple) were often not compatible with the bricks I already had. I'm really happy with the course TLG has taken since then, so I have no desire to see those kind of creations back.

I must admit that the more photos I see of the 42056, the longer my MOD wish list becomes. I still think it is an amazing set, but as pointed put by so many before, a lot of features are just not quite accurate enough or are just a missed opportunity. So far I’m thinking about: - Reduce the color vomit (don’t see the point of red and yellow axles inside) - Make the back less angular - Try front McPherson suspension (maybe with Efferman custom parts?), preferably with proper suspension geometry - Reduce the gaps beneath the headlights - Tweak the proportions a bit, for example by reducing the length of the nose slightly - Explore the possibilities of rear wheel steering