DLuders

Here's another view of that full-size Lego Bugatti Type 35B (from Fangio678's Flickr photostream). From the French translation, it is in the "Museum of the Toy in Colmar, Alsace, temporary France Exposition. 33,000 parts and 500 work hours":

MRjonttu97 posted this YouTube video of a motorized Lego Technic 8049 Tractor with Log Loader. The functions COULD BE like the ones on the upcoming (2H2011) Lego Technic 8110 Unimog U400 set.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33aTWTGnD5A

Mahjqa/ Mahj (Peer Kreuger) posted this of a Lego Technic Stilzkin Indrik Arctic Vehicle. He wrote, "The Stilzkin Indrik is made for tough terrain and low temperatures. It has a large contact surface, which prevents it from sinking into the snow. It offers great traction on almost any surface, and loads of torque to get out of tight spots." "For all the people who can't watch the Youtube video. This version cuts short after 90 seconds (blame Flickr)." He also posted images on his Flickr photostream.

On his Flickr photostream, BricksOnWheels posted 7 images of his 2010-2012 Lego GMC Sierra custom sports truck. He wrote, "Lugnuts is a Flickr group of many Lego car and truck builders and each month a contest is organised. For December everybody who entered got a random assignment, and i got the task to build a 90's GMC Sierra sporttruck in a tricked out version. As there is totally no sporttruck culture in Europe i did some research on these highly customized trucks. I started to like the subject a lot, and tried to create a custom example inspired both by US and European custom and tuning trends. It is in scale 1:17, features Lambo doors, and a flipable hood and trunk. Besides this there is a modelled and chromed engine, exhaust and independent suspension. Being a lowrider the airtanks are in the back, including hosing etc. The interior features sportseats and special steering wheel."

Axion225 psoted this of his Lego Hummer and Lego Land Rover Defender models in a "Truck Trial Guatamala". "Lego Hummer and Lego Defender built and designed by Axel (axion225). Video by t0t112." Two images of the Hummer are on Axion225's Brickshelf gallery. "This is a RC lego Hummer, four wheel drive, full suspension, front lights, openable doors, hood and trunk":

I think what he wants is a Reverse Gear Indicator Light/Buzzer setup, like this one from TechnicBRICKS. He also could mean a "turn signal indicator" light, as discussed in Sariel's Automated Trafficators System:

Which way is south?

Thanks for the Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf Building Instructions file for this bus!

@ LLeveik: Nico71 has Building Instructions for his Lego Technic Tatra 4x4 T815 and TT Monster Truck on his website:

@ davidmull: Yes, the 8878 Lego Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box is still available from Shop.Lego.com . You can change the "Country Code" (if necessary) at the top of the screen to match your country. @ 86kxt250: If you want to salvage your old Linear Actuators (for your 8043, or for something else), just soak them in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The oil will seep through the gaps in the LA assembly and lubricate the threads. Do not use petroleum-based lubricants, since the plastic will get softened.

Nice 8x8, Niels! In regards to Brickshelf, it typically takes several days for a new folder to be moderated and become public. During the holidays, it may take even longer. That's why more and more people are using Flickr to post their Lego Technic MOCs -- no waiting and one can type a detailed description of each picture.

Besides the 60c01 "Technic, Gear 24 Tooth Clutch" mentioned before, one could consider using one "Return-to-Center Steering" solution presented on this Eurobricks post.

Here's a showing Salt/ Solic/ fasolic's Liebherr LTR 1100 Telescopic Crawler Crane in action:

TechnicBRICKS has a nice article (and pics) of the 2H2011 Lego Technic sets here.

On the LUGPol Mindstorms forum, here is a Polish-to-English translation of TT's description of his MOC: "Technical Qualities: - NXT two systems: the receiver and transmitter - Bluetooth communication. - The vehicle is equipped with two diesel engines for the NXT which are mounted directly to the wheel motor. - Twisting takes place after the breaking of the vehicle at two points. For this purpose, is a NXT motor that drives two standard turntables. - Caterpillar drive consists of 48 interconnected rubber liftarmów 15 connectorami (Double Axle Connector Flexible (Rubber)) so that the caterpillar is very flexible and well-arranged in a twist. About the aesthetic qualities I will not elaborate, because somehow I do not specifically created the appearance of this model. The model is solidly and beautifully made, and its design provides an attractive appearance. Software like that design is not complicated. Programs written in C (compiler robotC). Both programs use Bluetooth to communicate. The pilot was a feature for displaying on the screen and the current drive power swing in a twist. We are able to smoothly adjust the engine power transmission (0-100%) and the ability to precisely twisting knobs coupled with the remote control to the angle of the vehicle. This is one of the models in the series, "done in two evenings." Both the design and the software is not complicated. However, I believe that the model makes a very good impression. It is mainly thanks to an interesting way to move."

It could be that the Power Functions motors were inducing a "harmonic vibration", much like strumming a guitar string. Bridges (like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State, USA in 1940, and London's Millennium Bridge in 2000) have had SERIOUS vibration problems when the wind or people induced the natural harmonic vibration of the bridge deck. Many materials can have natural harmonic vibrations if "strummed" at JUST the right frequency, and the the structure is JUST the right length. When you turned one of the U-joints around on your 8043 Motorized Excavator, you changed the arrangement of MASS along the length of the assembly (U-joint + axle + U-joint). The motors were then not able to strike the harmonic frequency, and the "wiggles" went away. I doubt anybody (besides you) has documented a problem with Lego Technic like this. It would be interesting to hear Blakbird's perspective on this matter.

On his Brickshelf gallery, TT/ TomasZajac posted 29 images of his Lego Mindstorms NXT Caterpillar. This YouTube video shows it contorting and rolling along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7n6GXrCYf0

German AFOL Ederbuam posted this of a "Lego Technic Reform Metrac H7 with IR remote maintenance (power functions…) with mower mechanism, Kreiselheuer and volume rake with pneumatic lifting gears." It has many interesting attachments on the front Power Take Off (PTO), and pneumatics. According to this Stocker-Crew Mowers website,"The Reform Metrac hydrostatic H7 X series two-axle hillside mower is powered by a 3-litre, 4 cylinder turbocharged Daimler-Chrysler VM-D 754 SE3 series engine, outputting 70hp @ 2600rpm. Power is delivered via hydrostatic drive with two-stage gearing and electro hydraulic selection of two speed ranges; switchable or manually operated in 4 speed ranges. The top-of-the-line model H7 X is designed with optimum operator comfort in mind on the steepest of slopes. The H7 X is at home on the most extreme of hillsides, slopes and revetments."

Hmmm, the Bricklink inventory for the 8043 Motorized Excavator set shows the 3648 24-tooth Lego Technic gear that's been out for years. Does yours look different than this? As far as digging in sand, Page 8 of the 8043 Building Instructions shows a big red circle with a line through it to indicate that you SHOULD NOT dig sand with it! They lubricated the Linear Actuators, and the last thing you want is to introduce ABRASIVES to gum-up the LAs. Also, since you have the NEW, improved 8043 set (and I have the original, pre-LA-fiasco version from August 2010), can you confirm that the NEW Building Instructions have corrected an error? From neo83's Brickshelf gallery:

As noted, the building instructions for this 8069-2 (B-Model) "Forestry Loader" alternate are available via this TechnicBRICKS webpage.

On his Flickr photostream, _lichtblau_ posted three images and 4-page Building Instructions for his Lego AC Shelby Cobra car. He wrote that "The AC Shelby Cobra is one of my favourite cars and I already did a lot of attempts to build a 6-wide version of it. This is the latest one and perhaps it's not 100% perfect but I think it is nevertheless a nice little roadster. I've created some instructions for the Cobra....I've chosen a kind of lightblue/orange Le Mans color scheme for better visibility, some parts are not available in this colors! I'm often inspired by other people's MOCs and change/redesign them to my own liking. So, have fun to build your own copy of the Cobra...I'd love to see your improved versions and different color schemes! Enjoy!"

BricksOnWheels posted this Christmas greeting on his Flickr photostream:

The 8110 Unimog U400 panels on birdsmart33's Flickr photostream don't look orange to me. They look yellow, the same shade as the pneumatic cylinders. That's not to say that they could not eventually be ORANGE (the same shade as the third picture below): The pneumatics and (apparent) Power Take Off (PTO) on the front could allow one to make something like this:

On his Brickshelf gallery, steven1980 had built Arvo's Seat 131 also:

On page 37 of "The Lego Book", there is a picture of a "Clockwork Engine" from 1981 using the bb46 "Windup Motor 1980s". It uses the bb47 "Windup Motor 1980s Key".