Thirdwigg

OK, the Swingloader is done. 291 grams and 366 parts. I'm happy with this, so now I just need something to work with it. The little truck is getting a little heavy... The Swingloader has four wheel steering, rotating front boom, boom lift, and bucket tilt.

I wasn't really happy with where this was build was going, so I started over. The little truck is done, and I'll publish instructions for it soon, but it's not quite right for this contest. I've had on my list to build a swingloader for a while, so this was the time. This little guy is not done, but the weight will be right on the nose. It features four wheel steering, bucket lift and tilt, and rotation of the arm. Then I built another little truck, this one a little bigger. The weight is getting a little high, so I'll need to keep track of that as the project progresses. The below draft is right at 224g. The truck has steering, tipping bed, and has some space for an engine. I'm feeling a little better about this version of the project. So hopefully some progress will move quicker now that I'm happy with what I have going.

I'm happy to see the dump truck has a draft now. I'm looking forward to see the bodywork you use to cover all those functions. Great job so far.

Great job so far. That helicopter looks great, and references the original set well.

I needed a little break from the 6542 Bigger project, so I put some parts together for a TC30 entry. Who doesn't like a TC contest! I decided to say within my wheelhouse, so I decided to make a truck and a tractor. I quickly threw together a truck, and built it in Studio. I want to make some tractor/loader/excavator/swingloader, but so far everything is coming up short on design. Here is a loader draft with the truck in real bricks, but I'm not sure I like it. The truck is about 180 grams, so I have some space to go up in scale, which I might do to get the tractor just right. It features steering, and tipping bed, and opening doors. I'll post the truck to Rebrickable soon, whether or not I use it for the contest.

Great job, and quite a density of function in this little backhoe. Keep it up.

Thanks for the idea. No, I did not consider this part. I don't have them either, but I am going to try a different size wheel first. I would like to use current part if I can, but I'll keep this one in the back of my mind. I have been tinkering with some ideas, but nothing is perfect yet. I'll keep at it, but the top fork design, is gaining some momentum with me. I'll give the forks a little more work. Thanks! I'm glad you like it, and I hope following this project does not lead to disappointment for you. I never had 6540 or 6543; I figured after my parents got 6542 that was all I needed to ask for. I'll see if I can add a little render of the coupler. It's really quite simple. OK, I think the truck is done. I have made a final part order (with some ship and forklift parts thrown in as well), and I'll get it published soon. I couldn't decided on a 2 or 3 axle, so I make both! This is why projects take me so long..... I have a couple of details to fix (mirrors, dashboard, wheel hubs), but I like where this ended. There are 2478 parts for these three. I hope you all like it too, and I hope you see some of the truck from 6542 coming out in the design, while giving a little update and technification to the build.

Ok, just a little update tonight. I finally spent a little time on the forklift, which I hope to complete after the truck. This might be a challenge. The forklift is going to have to be a little different shape as the short wheelbase is not going to work for the cargo. This is the look I am going for. Here are the build priorities: It can't tip over Manual steering and drive PF fork lift and tilt Be able to lift a container on another container (16 stud lift height) Here is the first draft. It's a little ugly right now, but I'll clean it up. Looking at the photos now, the cab seems way too small. And with an empty container: First, these are not the tires I am going to use. I plan to use the Bronco 55mm tires as they look pretty great for this. But, I'm not sure this is going to manage the weight well. I would like to use a wheel hub to support the wheels, but then I need to go to the 68mm tires. Would this be too big? Second, the lift height is only 16 stud. I can load a container on another one, but just. I'm using the long linear actuator, which is good and sturdy. I could use a rack and pinion type setup (Like I did on the Kalmar a couple of years ago), But again, I'm not sure I can support the weight with this design. I might need to try it. Third, The forks are going to be stressed. I'm not sure I'll be able to hold a loaded container. I'm considering using a top mount forklift design (see photo at top), just so I don't have as much bending. It's not the original design, but what do you all think? I'm done for tonight, so we'll see what I can get to in the coming days.

Fun little idea. Love the tractor, but I find the engine of the snowblower makes it look a little too bit. But the blower part looks great so far.

Thanks! Just keep managing your expectations, as this project moves towards completion or giving up. Sorry, they are these tires.

Thanks for the idea. I might try a 2 axle trailer, but that might take a little bit. I need to focus on the truck and forklift for a bit. I'll keep you posted. I do think I am going to do a 2 axle truck, so we'll see if that is an improvement. I'm using these 49x14mm tires for the rear duals. I'm using the 49x20 tires for the front truck and tailer wheels. Yes, I'll publish the truck and trailer instructions, with those to be finished by the end of January. I never had 6541 but I like some of what it contributes to City. I might add a little bit of this theme to this project. Frankly that crane looks like a more simple (achievable) design. OK, the first parts of this project are final, and instructions are released. First is the Container Box. It's a simple design, but was crucial for getting all the standards set. You may find the instructions for free at Rebrickable.com. Second, is the Tractor Container. This container frame will be used for the tanks, and engine (which will be used for both ships). The tractor features: Steering with steering wheel I3 engine with rear wheel drive Rear PTO Opening hood Thirdwigg Farm compatible front mounting and rear three point hitch Trailer hitch Free instructions are at rebrickable.com. Here are both containers on the Trailer. I was hoping to have the truck done at this time, but things are taking a little more time than planned. Alright, off to the next part...

Very cool! One of my favorite things is the one module offset the 20:16 gear connection provides. I love how it is used twice here to add in some great functionality.

OK, let's talk about the truck now. First, the trailer is done. I like the setup, and I like the functions. The HOGs are smooth and easy to access. This is what it looks like with two containers placed, and the trailer attached. Here is a focus on the cab at this point. I like the dimensions, so now I need to add some style. I went with a 3 axle design for the truck, as I tend to like that look a little better. But as this comes together, I'm not sure I that is what I want. I would like to have a short (day) cab, but the gap between the cab and the trailer is a little long. I like the look of this type of truck better, they way it looks above doesn't seem to translate well. Below seems more in the spirit of 6542. What do you think? Two or three axles for the truck? I want to keep the fifth wheel attachment the same as the Mack Anthem, but I find the release of the trailer a little hard to operate. So I designed a remote fifth wheel release that is spring loaded. The height is still the same and pivots up and down. Open, push down: Closed, spring up: It works pretty slick, but does require changing the king pin from this:to this: I think that is a worthwhile change for this project. If anyone wants to use my truck or trailer for their own use, I think they can make this little adjustment to utilize this function. Next, I'll work on the cab design. Then the forklift. After making a little mocup, I think the forklift is going to be a lot harder than I thought. The containers are fairly heavy now. I'll be away from my bricks for a little bit, but I'll take studio with me to finalize instructions for the two containers, and the trailer. Hopefully the truck will be done in January.

Thanks, I considered part 71772 or part 69958 But both of them only come in DBG, which is not perfect. But it may lower the cost by about 60%, so that may need to be a concession I make. I'll have to play around with this. Thanks, I have some ideas for the boat, but I still don't have the bow worked out in my mind. I'll try to do a draft over Christmas. I look forward to know how you liked the truck. Keep me posted. I'm glad you like the tractor! The crane is what makes me the most nervous. I'm not sure how to do the legs, as they have a slight angle in two planes. And somehow I need to route the wheel drive to the bottom to make it go side to side on the dock. Yes, the harbor will be a big, expensive, box. The ship will be a larger scale of what I did to for my recent Tugboat. I'll have it mounted on wheels, with steering and two marine engines (maybe PF?) I'll have the opening deck hatches, and each container mount will have an individual lock. The front winch is a requirement. I hope to add some other features, so if you have ideas, let me know. Thanks!

Thanks! Yeah, I never lack in creativity, just resources: time and money (and space if I'm honest). OK, here is the tractor as it currently stands. I don't feel great about the hood and the connection to the steering wheel. I'll sit with it for a bit, and make changes as needed. It has the Thirdwigg Farm implement standard for the front and the rear, so all the available attachments can be added. The tractor features: Steering Rear three point hitch Rear PTO I3 engine Folding roll bar Here it's in the container. Maybe you can see here how I am approaching the translation from small 90's city builds to modern Technic mid scale.

My plans are not fully developed yet. The forklift is giving me a little trouble, as it's a weird shape (short wheelbase). I think I have an idea to lift the weight as it doesn't need much height, but I'm having a little trouble with the forks and the mast design. This one I'm not too worried about, but I do need to spend a little time on it, and I haven't yet. It actually is the opposite. I have building in real life, and once the idea or "hardpoint" is done I am building them digitally. This is not the case for the dock section, as I wanted to get the size first. I tend to figure things our better in real bricks, and mitigate mistakes this way. I'm not sure if this will be the case for the ship or the crane yet. They are both part intense, and will require some trial and error which I am generally not willing to do in Studio. I'm not interested in a none Lego option. My save cost option will be not finishing it. If I finish it, I want it to be an epic LEGO project.

Thanks! We'll see where this goes. Yeah, getting 6542 as a kid was a highlight. I still remember the stories I created in the little world the set provided. The tractor shown is a hold over. I'll never turn down the chance to make a new tractor, so there will be a new one for this project. It's almost done, so I'll post it soon. Re. the ball and socket connection, I'll need to figure something out. I am concerned about the weight of the crane and loads, so I think I'll need to have a strong connection so the plates do not unintentional split. If I bring the build to a show, the baseplate will need an easy way to separate. The baseplates are a part of this build that I have not yet tried in real parts. I'll need to play around with this soon.

When people ask me what is my favorite LEGO set, I always answer with the 1991 set, 6542 Launch and Load Seaport. The set has such high playability, so many fun vehicles (though it could use a Unimog), and stories that never end. I have always wondered what it would look like to update this set in the world of Technic. The ships, the crane, the truck, and all the containers moving around with more technical functionality. What would a fully integrated Technic version of this set look like? What features would I add? What scale could it be? About two years ago, I was fooling around in Studio, wondering what a bigger version of the set would look like. I considered the size of 42062 Container Yard (7 wide), but it looks clunky, and didn't really seem to add anything from the original set. So I went a little bigger, thinking 11 studs wide for the containers would be nice. This seemed out of scale of many of the builds I do, and would be a weird truck size. So then I tried the Mack Anthem scale (roughly 1:21, and 15 studs wide). This seemed to work well, and could integrate well with other LEGO 1:21 MOCs. I built a little mocup in Studio, using my Vintage Tractor, to try out the idea. I liked the idea, but the full build would be huge. Roughly 4 times bigger than 6542. I'm not sure I am ready to commit to purchasing all the parts needed for the full project. The dock alone would need 250 5x11 LBG panels. This image is about 300 studs wide, by 190 studs deep, by 90 studs high. But I am curious to see where this will lead. I love integrated projects, and this is certainly that. Each container will need to be the same size, moveable by both crane and forklift, and rest on a truck and ship. I think I'll be able to build all the containers and the truck, and I think I would like to get the ship done. We'll see what else I complete. I hope to keep the feel of the original set consistent, but the look may be updated a little bit to work well with scale and current vehicular design. For instance, making a mockup for the trailer, two axles looked silly, so I went with a three axle design. Right now the trailer is done. The trailer has working front support, and two locking mechanisms to lock the containers to the bed. Each axle has a simple suspension. It also fits the Mack Anthem Standard. The container standards are set, as this was crucial to get size, lifting, locking, and cargo standards set, so I'll post more about those soon. The White Boxes are about done, as is the Tractor (Thirdwigg Farm Approved!) container. With each update, I'll post the current full build. Today we are at 2782 parts. We'll see where this goes, so feel free to follow along. Maybe we'll even find a way to include a Unimog!

I live and breathe Technic, but City is just on fire these days.

Those colors are fantastic.

It looks like the front fender is new as well. It seems 3 modules high on the rear, and 2 on the front. This is the first side specific fender.

That motorcycle still looks fantastic. I think it's your best MOC. Also good idea to have the low set tables. Great way to make the children feel more welcome to play with the builds.

Thanks, yeah, it needed a little color other than the black and white. Thanks, yeah, I need to be able to play with my builds, and that usually involves a table. Yeah, you're right. As I was building, I felt like the interior of the boat needed something to fill it. The gearbox was a way to add a function. After playing with it for a bit, I have found the HOG and the changeover are superfluous. I mostly wind the winches up with the gear to the side of them. It is easier for play this way. I'll make the next boat better!

This is the current issue with LEGO for me. I'm here for the parts, but not the sets. Now if Pick-a-brick could better support my current reality, that would be appreciated. This part looks fantastic.

I have been building LEGO for a long time now, and I have made hundreds of MOCs. I have no memory, and cannot find a record of ever building a watercraft. I'm not sure why this happened; I like boats and ships. I guess I have just focused on other things... Well, now that changes. I did a little research on the various tugs that are out there, and was inspired by the Damen Stantug 2608. This is loosely modeled after that boat. Features: Steering with HOG Rear winch Front winch HOG with changeover for winches Free instructions are available at Rebrickable.com. And a little video to see the functions. I hope you all enjoy!