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Showing results for tags 'grapple'.
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Hello, I show you my latest build. It is a mod of set 42144. I was really disappointed by the aesthetic of 42144 material handler, but I think that the arm and the turret has been well designed. And I changed everything else. New tracked undercarriage, new tilting cab (not lifting) and new grapple (too look more similar to a demolition grapple). I tried to minimise the use of extra parts at the strength necessary. Instructions are available on rebrickable: here I hope you like it! -
It's been a while since I finished this MOC. I've been super busy the past month so I never had a chance to film it, but I had some time recently to get it posted. Anyways, it's a truck model with a fully functional crane arm and rear dump, and features a distribution gearbox that controls 4 motorized functions. There are also a variety of manual functions that complement them to give this model plenty of functionality. This project started off with connections to my CLAAS Challenger 95E in its WIP stages. I spent an entire day working on a crane and grabber attachment with a compact directional gearbox that would be connected to a PTO when finished, but I completely overestimated the size of the resulting crane. It ended up being so large and out of proportion that I had no choice but to abandon the crane. It felt like too much work to get rid of, so I decided to create an entirely new MOC just for the crane. I immediately knew that this model will be that of a grapple truck, as the design of the crane is optimal for such a model. The weeks leading up to BrickFair I worked on a distribution gearbox that would serve 4 function - 3 of them are already on the crane (boom elevation, 2nd section, and rotation) but the 4th function I was unsure of. I played around with various outrigger mechanisms but realized the bottom of the crane is too filled in for any additional mechanism, so I attached the 4th function to tipping the bed. The tipping bed can be removed by pulling out 4 pins and can handle plenty of load. In fact, the motor does not even struggle to unload objects such as a book. I initially thought of making the rear in the style of a logging truck but thought that would be too similar to the 9397, so I went with a tipping bed. The entire gearbox is driven by a PF L motor slightly behind the front axle. Behind the gearbox sits the two rear axles, with double wheels connected by hubs. A long driveshaft runs parallel to the chassis up to the front where it drives a I6 engine, hence the name. Because the driving rings are located at an inconvenient location for shifting, I ran linkages through the chassis that connect the changeover catches to control levers by the outriggers. Since the outriggers are manually deployed it essentially formed a control area behind the front axle, with the outrigger knobs and gearbox control levers placed conveniently next to each other. The driveshaft connects to the piston engine in its front, as there is not enough space in the back of it to run gears up to. I initially decided to model this after a real truck which is why I used a 6-cylinder, but timing issues made me scratch that idea. The front section of the model was the most challenging part, requiring several rebuilds to get everything working right. Due to the weight distribution the model bends where the crane sits, and even in the final design it still bends a bit, although not noticeably. The steering mechanism was also challenging to get right. Since the piston engine sits right in the middle of the HoG steering's path I used a linkage mechanism that drives two levers in opposite directions which connect to the front hubs via links. The left and right hubs are still synchronized with a beam to ensure they don't turn at unequal angles when one side isn't cooperating. Turning the steering knob takes some force, but there isn't any noticeable play in the mechanism. Aesthetically the front section featured a simple bumper with LED lights that turn on when the motor is running and a cab that tilts forward to reveal the engine. Although this model had many aspects kept simple, it was a fun building experience for me and it was easier to manage than a model full of motors and remote controlled features. This model demonstrated that even simple elements can add up to a realistic-looking model with superb functionality. Video: Photos: -
Hey guys, here's another post-BrickFair MOC I have planned that has an interesting backstory: While working on the CLAAS Challenger 95E I decided to make a crane attachment for it like the 42054. Of course, I wanted to make it much better as the 42054's crane didn't seem too appealing to me. Unfortunately, the crane ended up being way too big because I wasn't paying attention to the scale I was building at. I even put a directional gearbox beneath it to control two crane functions. The end result was something very similar to the 42054's crane attachment but ended up way out of proportion to the tractor itself, and I unfortunately had to scratch that idea. But something about this crane stands out to me so much (despite it being essentially another 9397) that I hated to get rid of it, which ultimately led me to propose another MOC. A grapple truck was something I've wanted to make since my early days of MOCs - I've made one back in 2014 but this one will, of course, be much more streamlined and realistic. I don't plan on giving it remote control (as I don't want to deal with wire organizing) but instead a single motor (either M motor or L motor) to drive a distribution gearbox that will control various functions. This would also be a good opportunity for me to use dark azure pieces, as I plan on making the cab that color. As of right now, I have the crane arm completed, but here's my tentative list of features: Single PF M or L motor, driving a distribution gearbox that would control: Outriggers (using Arocs gear racks/brackets) Turntable Boom elevation 2nd part of boom (whatever that part controlled by the small LA is called) Other manual functions would include: Extension Grabber (I'll probably replace it with something better - perhaps 42006's claw?) Basic features/functions would be: 2 rear axles connected to straight-4 piston engine underneath the cabin (double rear wheels, of course) HoG steering Tilting cabin (to reveal engine) Like the other MOC I recently started, I'll probably wait until after BrickFair to really work on it when I'll have all my pieces available after I take apart my BrickFair MOCs. If you guys have any suggestions for me, let me know in the comments. Anyways, here's some pics of that crane:
