steph77

Hi! Where are you going to locate the battery box? On my own ECR, i had to move the motors for tracks to the undercarrige in order to get enough place for both battery box and IR receivers. And my ECR is way bigger than yours... Steph

Time for my latest excavator to get it's own video. Enjoy!

Sure! It took me some time to answer you. It is due to fact I had to finalyse some things on the mechanical POV. First, I can now check the suspended+direction axles on my checklist ;) Here are the pictures I take to show the maximum angles and abilities of the model: with steered axles: tractor angle + torsion: and reversed: Ok. Now going with the closer asked view. I used lime levers to pop up in the pictures the moving parts involved in the direction system. The direction is permanent and depending on the angle between the tractor and the trailer. The direction is initiated from the hitch connection. Here under you see the lever system I used to achieve this: when tractor turns to the right side, the lime lever has a forward movement. This movement is then transferred to the two axles. larger view of the system. The lime lever is connected to a pair of identical levers located in the heart of the axles system. They move correspondingly. As the rotation and articulation points of the axle suspension and direction rods are aligned, they are not parasite direction reaction in case of other angle between tractor and trailer other than left/right movement. top view: on this picture you can see how the lime lever are connected to two rods (one for each axle). The geometry of these rods are different so the front axle steers less than the rear one. Same view with steered axles: here is a side view showing the work (the reason I reply not immediately) done on the alignment of the whole rods involved in both direction and suspension movements: Finally the underside view: Tell me if other explanations are needed :)

Oups, no. I have two separate motors for the two PTO but none of them is used for steering. (1 is for the lifting bed and the other one isn't used actualy) The steering is linked by rods at the tractor articulation. Inspired by @MajklSpajkl Moc. I try to implement this system and managed to have a stable movement only in left/right movement. If the trailer's articulation go up/down or in torsion it has no effect on trailer's direction. I do not own the 68.8 x 36 H tires, sadly.

trailer is on the way... Functions (hopefully): - 4 Wheels steering connected to the tractor (done) - Lifting bed (via new rack, done) - Rigid suspended axle (without shock absorber) (NOOK) - Automated lock of the tail gate (NOOK) -Landing gear (manual) (NOOK) Some other pictures: (i must wait now that legoshop is again avalaible for some parts command) As suspentions are not implemented yet, i'll have to rebuilt the whole trailer. Any idea, comment, are welcome as Always. Steph

Thanks! Maybe you could post some pictures of your mods. Seems to be a good ideas and i am curious to see if i could pick up some of them ;)

My though go to Ingmar's family and, if they read these words, I would Express my deepest condolences. Ingmar give us some of the most beautiful models. RIP Ingmar. @Jim did this information return to TLC? If not I think that as ambassador you maybe have to do that...he deserve it

So the battery box will be placed in the middle of the frame. I guess that the fact that all possibility to pass axle from front to rear is killed since your chassis is fully suspended + battery placement. This is an idea I had try to implement on my own tractor. The purpose was to motorized the 3 point hitch. The originality was the idea to place the motor on the trailer and motorize, from the trailer , one PTO connected to the 3 point hitch mechanism. Thus mean the attachment needs to be designed in that way and that without attachment the 3 point hitch is manual...

Thanks guy! I am thinking out what trailer to build. It is not because you are away from your parts that you didn't think to your project... on one side I have the project to build a trailer to transport the excavator. I even build a prototype of it. On an other hand as I want to results in a great play set I think to build a standard tilt bed trailer. This way the cycle is complete with the crane filling the trailer and the trailer tilting away the goods out. .... still wondering what to do.

I now understand better the difficulty to fit 6 motors in this build. Which setup do you finally choose for the motorization of this tractor?

Your are right. It doesn't pop up anymore... Feel free to copy whatever you want for your own excavator. Just ask if some more pictures are needed. Steph

I wasn't that satisfied with the tail... So new tail and end word on this project. Now going on holidays. Video will be done when back home. and a closer view: Steph

Hi! Today my new parts arrived from Shapeways so it was time to make a proper photo shooting of this thing. I reworked again the main arm in order to fit the medium motor inside the first half of it. This results in a cleaner design of the front end of the arm. I also finalized the design of the cab by adding small details like lights ramp, flat tile to smooth the edges etc... Everything works smoothly and from this point of view is way better than my previous attempt :) Pictures: Front main view : the new bucket is a must have in your technic inventory From a side view the work on the cab is more viewable Opposite side view. Massive design as it is supposed to be... Rear view: simple design Zoom on the cab from ground view. Small size but quiet impressive. I am happy with the tracks design. Maximum arm extension. Largely higher than the cab. Not the best existing range but it works smoothly with this setup... And maximum front action range: Any comment or suggestions are welcome :) Steph.

Take 03 Working on the outside design. I'll try to keep a 'Community in design' with the tractor and the next to come trailer. Not still 100% satisfied with the rear part: The two models are in good proportions and scales: Cab is coming out nicely: doors, detail, ladder integrated to Bottom structure, lamps, etc... I have to find a way to move the messy medium motor on the second arm section: Any idea for the trailer's colorsheme? I Don't want to go with orange anymore, i need some contrast i think. Idea? Steph.

they are back ;) I canot place directly the links when writing the post at first attempt, I must absolutely post it and then edit it in order that the linked pictures appear. Don't know why.

Take 02 A big work has been done on this project. As the previous pictures show somehow one incomplete and very first attempt, here is something more final. I managed to pack in the 6 RC functions, I solved the balance problem by taking back the whole arm by 5 studs, and I redesigned the whole rest of the model just because this movement back of the arm ...how can I say, just put the ______ in the model. Now, everything works smoothly, no cracking, no torsion, no parasite effect. I got it, at least. I 'll now can work of the design. As usual I choose the Volvo Brand, as I've a lot of badged material, and I think i'll go for some modern design of that thing. I am awaiting for my bucket actually, but I'll continue the job. I feel this model will be a real success ones finished.. Some pictures: Main view with the RC controller I made use of the MB Arocs buckets to form the curved rear, looks good to me... Everything is carefully packed, no visible wires... and the other side: any comments are welcome ;) Steph.

I only own one XL motor and it is down (loss of power after2-3 seconds running) no choice for me to use the large ones

@I_IgorI build one excavator not a stunt racer The gears are necessary to lower the speed and gain in torque. This setup allows to keep a cleaner design too so I think its right like it is. But I have another problem. I complete the arm yesterday by adding in the inside of it the two missing motors. The arm is quiet heavy now but it is ok for the motors to move it smoothly. My issue is that I do not have enough counter weight. As I tried to replicate a zero radius crane I don't have that much weight on the rear. I completely redesigned the electrical setup inside to get the BB on the rear but even like this the rotation mechanism struggle to rotate the superstructure. @ those who already build this kind of crane : any idea? I think at the counterweight used in the boats in the 90' but maybe you'll have another idea?

Thanks ! I commanded just now one proper bucket and @efferman angle panel for the back of my crane. This was done on Shapeways and parts will arrive around 31 of this month. I now have to compact it by two studs in width and manage one solution for the crane's rotation. I get with some hard craking gears when rotating by one side and not to the other so i will try to place two opposite driving gear on each side of the turntable to balance the effort on it. Stay tuned...

next model incoming: Actually just a empty box . The only working stuffs are the track motorization, and main lifting of the arm. bottom view. I choose to locate the motors the nearest as possible of the correspondent function in order to optimize the performances: The basic idea is to get a compact, very responsive excavator. The zero radius rotation is a must have and it is designed to fit a larger model at the end (as I does with my tow truck). Here is the idea: S.

Double HOG for this one - one located on top in between the decks for car - In case of car stocked on the top, a second is available on left side of the truck. I must say it's a clever setup...

@agrof Here they are:

New cab design. What do you think guys? I managed a proper entry with door, and credible ladder system. door closed: Door open:

spare wheel to the back too...

I found the couple of hours I needed to produce this video: