aminnich

Hahaha, thanks JJ. How you can see why I call it the massive crane

I'll be waiting haha. Im really impressed with the change from LDD to bricks!!

So you guys wanted to see some bricks, well i took my Friday night to build a prototype chassis. I didn't build the change in steering gearbox and the drive motors are not hooked up, but the idea is there. I need to add a space in between the first and second half sets of wheels for future regular steering. 12 axles, 24 wheels, 2 servos

That thing is huge!! And a lot of functions to need all those remotes, nicely done sir! My only question is are the 2 XL motors big enough to move it ?!?!

Good to know, thanks. I'm wondering how many axles you think it will take to move this beast?

I just wanted to warn everyone not to use the axle above, it sucks I had time to build it and it doesnt hole up to weight at all, the pins pop out of the 5x7 beam. I want to give a shout out to TheItalianBrick for your help! It was recommended to use hubs for strength, and im thinking that is the best possibility. EDIT: how many driven axles do you think something like this would need. I was originally thinking the 6 middle axles

Wow, that is huge, but it looks very sturdy with no bend in the boom. Impressive. Nice job. One question tho; did you take stock in LEGO panels and beams??

That would be awesome. No B model, but a bunch of attachments for the excavator.

Ok that makes a lot of sense, i have to increase my level of love of this now, haha. That's an easy solution to a big appearance issue. Great work

I havent really gotten into this topic because of the contest. But i see a Volvo I guess their licensing with them didnt not run out yet or we will be seeing a lot of Volvo, which im completely fine with So i look into the EW160E and came across the promotional video (linked below). I think you will agree with me, but if LEGO is going to do this right, they have to include the trailer, the different buckets, the different front attachments, the different bucket arms, a liftable cabin, and of course the single or daul wheel setup. Now of course we all know that probably wont happen, but that would be awesome. Speaking of tires tho, which tires do you think it will have???

Good idea! It is a creative wheel/tire combo, that for sure. But i do have a question of curiosity; What does getting the pivot point closer to the center of the tire do?

Bricklink is going to be my new best friend for this build, if hubs are necessary, when i will buy some, but id rather try out building something with what i have first. Im going to do this with my steering ideas. Im going to build a 4 axle (basically the middle of the 12 axle crane) and try to get the steering right. From there, i can add steering axles on both ends of the 4 axle setup until 12 of them for present.

The problem with your suggestion, is that i dont have hubs you are talking about. I wish I did because that would have been very helpful. As for the change in steering modes, all of the steering arm lengths are the same and i was planning on doing a lot of gearing up and down to get different gear ratios. The 'gearbox' is going to be just a long axle going down the middle that will move back and forth to change the gear ratio from 1:1 (crab) or whatever the other ratios are. Like I said, i want to test out different ideas. Thanks Max, The plan was to use the axle idea above for the middle 6 axles, 2 of which when in regular steering mode wont be steering at all, The other axles, 3 front and 3 back, will not be powered and will have a larger tuning radius. Thanks for the reminder tho :)

So you wanted to see some bricks, well i have some virtual bricks to show you. It is with LDD because it is easier to make internal changes in LDD than it is actually building. I started actually building, but changed over to LDD. Here are some screenshots of the design and with 12 of them lined up (but keep in mind that only 6 of the 12 axles will be driven) I have a bunch of ideas to change the steering modes, but im going to actually build that because i hate doing gears in LDD

Your totally right, i guess im too lazy haha. No more asking for help on my end just posting WIP pictures.

I have been messing around on LDD for awhile ( im not home to actually build) to figure out a driven steering axle with 13L gear racks. I want their to be differentials and i dont want to change the steering angle by changing the length of the arm. So im wondering if anyone has come across with kind of axle. I also dont want suspension, just so you know. My only thought is to make all the steering arm longer and the same length and gear up or down the steering. this way making the arms longer i can fit a differential into the axle, otherwise it isnt wide enough

Thx allanp, This is indeed a huge project and your right LLD will not be much help. Making prototypes is the way to go

I was actually going to do a lot of pre building in LLD, but you never get to test the functions in LDD. So building mutliple prototypes is probably the rest way to go. Thanks for the suggestion

Your not the first person who has discouraged me on a build. I understand you think the project is too big for a builder with my experience, ok but that doesn't stop me. As for the build, I'm focusing on my small contest entry now and school work. This 12 axle beast will be a very slow build, basically building on weekends. I could make a WIP topic, but it would last forever.

Honestly, if you are against the idea. You are not forced to post on here. Someone once said, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all"

Thank you max, that is exactly what this topic is for. I understand I'm not a professional like half of you, but I was like a Challenge when it comes to my head. My building thoughts change all the time because I'm always thinking how it can be done better or more efficiently. I'm sorry if that is unsettling for you, but that's how I work. Also, if u read the first post, it clearly says don't talk me out of building this. Thank you to everyone who is supporting this crazy idea. I hope it goes well

Their are no PF in this model no room. As for the 12 axle monster that thing will be full of batteries

You are thinking of this topic; http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=89963

searching through brickshelf, i found this. It is kinda hard to see what in the world is going on with all those gears, but from the pictures changing the steering can easily be done. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=173522

Like i said, i need to add to the cab area, everything that will be added, will be yellow, what you see is all internal stuff.