Little Pneumatic Wheel Loader

[Tommy Styrvoky]

Superb model for the scale, maybe connect the pump up to the driveline.

[Kumbbl]

If you (and others?) want, I could perhaps look into making a parts list and if it is needed perhaps some photos as "building steps"?

Yes, PLEASE!!

Building steps would be very appreciated! Thanks a lot...

[agrof]

I don't prefer pneumatics, but i must admit, i had smiling face while looking your photos, discovering the details. Very compact, all the functions are here, LIKE it.

[Appie]

Thanks all for the compliments.

That would be much appreciated. One can almost see the entire build from the photos you posted, but a few building step photos would certainly make it easier and more enjoyable for us to build.

Ok, I will try to make some pictures this afternoon.

Cranked out 85% of the LDD file today.

Appie's Tiny Loader LDD (WIP) by VKTechnic, on Flickr

The only part that I haven't modeled yet is the middle section, it's so compact that the photos don't show much.

@Appie, would you mind posting some photos of the middle section?

Wow great work! Thank you very much for making a LDD. I never worked with LDD (yet), so this is much appreciated.

I will try to make some photos of the centre this afternoon too.

Superb model for the scale, maybe connect the pump up to the driveline.

I considered that originally, but it worked better for the pneumatic hoses like this. Also I'd run into problems with the steering if I put the pump on the driveline even if I placed the steering axle a stud forward through the back of the chair it would conflict with the pump if both are at an angle. So this seemed the best solution.

[shimon]

Wow, very nice. It is always nice to see compact models with such functions.

I made one similar a couple years ago http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=427031

Nice work!! I Would like to see you make more models with functions in similar scale!

[jorgeopesi]

Welldone I like it and I want more .

[Appie]

Wow, very nice. It is always nice to see compact models with such functions.

I made one similar a couple years ago http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=427031

Nice work!! I Would like to see you make more models with functions in similar scale!

That's a nice little loader, the arm for the bucket on that puzzles me though, doesn't seem to tilt the bucket enough?

As for another model I made in a small scale (wouldn't say it is the same scale as this) with quite a few functions, I got my little dump truck which was my first MOC since my dark ages ended

Welldone I like it and I want more .

Thanks and no problem, here are more pictures!

The minifig pics:

The first thing I thought of when I put in this minifig is that Efferman's cool Minifig scale bulldozer now has a wheel loader buddy?

Funny thing, this is the first minifig I pulled from my huge ancient collection of minifigs because he wore a hard hat and he has an image of a wheel loader on his shirt! It's like it was meant to be!

Now for the images of the centre (and some other parts as well). Some of this might seem discoloured. I did that so you can see the black parts better.

Roof removed:

The switches provide exactly half a stud of room above the hoses, exactly what I need for a 5L thin liftarm

And the roof:

As you can see I put a Technic Hub/Handle 1 x 1 on the black pin so the yellow connector on the switch wouldn't go too far. I got alot of these from the models around 1995, but if I remember correctly a similar item has been found for 2015 but as a 1L liftarm?

Some more photos of the steering mechanism

I should add, while the steering does work, it isn't as easy to use the full turning circle when on a surface. This is due to the friction of the tires on the surface and the fact that a 2L lever doesn't give much leverage. During earlier builds I used some old hoses which were dried up a little, this didn't help the steering either. These hoses from the 42008 only give a very minor resistance to the steering. Ideas to use the left side of the steering wheel as well (pump's side) were considered, but I also had to consider the hoses for tilting the bucket taking up room. So this was the best compromise I could think of. Please share if you have a better idea

Speaking of the hoses, routing these with 3 "T" pieces in the centre was alot of fun, so I took some close up pictures of those too:

Sorry this one came out a little blurry, but I post it anyway because it might be useful. The gray hose might seem "too long", but it is on purpose between the 2L black half liftarms with axle holes. This provided more room for the hoses for the pumps below the liftarm of the bucket, mostly for the hoses going into the top of the pumps. It also provided a little easier steering.

A belly shot without the thin 5L liftarm blocking the view:

The engine part

That connector behind the gear is half a stud because the steering mechanism needs that space for the 2L liftarm with pin and and axle hole. This image somewhat shows where it ends up:

Shot of a half assembled little wheel loader

Minifig better get to work and fix it:

There we go:

Perhaps I should have made some photos of the front axle with the mounting point for the bucket's liftarm as well. Let me know if it is needed, my phone is charging at the moment.

Or if anything else is needed let me know as well

Edited November 4, 2014 by Appie

[Tomik]

It's awesome! I almost can't believe that so many functions fit in such a small model.

[VKTechnic]

More than enough photos, should only take 30 minutes or so to get the LDD finished (once I get home).

[miguev]

Stunning detail in such a compact scale!

[VKTechnic]

Finished the LDD today, you can find it here.

Appie's Little Pneumatic Wheel Loader LDD by VKTechnic, on Flickr

It's missing very little, only the pneumatic parts and the Technic Hub/Handle 1 x 1. Unless I missed something, everything else should be included.

Again, good job on the model Appie, it was very fun making the LDD

Edited November 5, 2014 by Victor Kojenov (TFOL)

[Appie]

Great work Victor! Thank you very much for making the LDD file.

I don't have a chance yet to look at the file, but looking at the image in your post the 7L yellow liftarm at the rear behind the wheels seems to be missing? Or did LDD not want to add that part?

[VKTechnic]

Great work Victor! Thank you very much for making the LDD file.

I don't have a chance yet to look at the file, but looking at the image in your post the 7L yellow liftarm at the rear behind the wheels seems to be missing? Or did LDD not want to add that part?

I didn't notice that part, will add it when I get the chance (in around 8 hours).

[Appie]

Ah ok, no problem. I couldn't check the LDD file yet, because Flickr giving me an error when I try to click the download link: "This is not the page you're looking for." Perhaps I need to sign up to flickr first or something. Will sort it later.

Anyway, as Jeroen Ottens pointed out, the rear needed some TLC. After a little bit of tinkering I think it looks alot better now:

This idea was already in my head, but at first I liked the quarter elipse parts so I didn't even try. Once Jeroen Ottens pointed it out I gave it another look and the elipse parts look out of place with the system parts, round+straight and the axle pins sticking out of the elipse parts I didn't like either. Since I liked the system parts I kept those as they were and I feel the system parts provide a natural flow to the rear since the width of 2 plates of system parts is between the 7L yellow thin liftarms of the cabin and the 5L thin liftarms at the rear. Also this construction gave the free connection points besides the fake engine a purpose for some axle connectors and the 7L yellow liftarm at the rear now does a little more than just looking pretty

I also fleshed out the rear grill

At first I had 3 rows of black, but it seemed off. I felt it needed a little bit of yellow on the top. So I tried 2 rows of black and 1 yellow, but this made the grill look too small in my opinion. So in the end I came up with this. A little bit of yellow on the top, but not so much that it completely goes over the bend liftarms.

Here's an image with the grill taken apart:

Hope you guys like it

[VKTechnic]

The rear does look much better now Two things though:

1. The 5L thin liftarms in the back are technically a forced connection (the geometry is off by 0.4 studs). Thus, I can't model that part in LDD
   
2. What are the black #1 connectors attached with? I'm assuming you're using 3L axles with studs...
   

Finished updating what I could. Missing two 1.5L pins that secure the (forced) 5L thin liftarms.

I also updated the link for the LDD file to just be the folder where the LDD file is, hopefully that helps. Here's the new link.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Victor Kojenov (TFOL)

[Appie]

Thanks for all the work I will have a look when I get home.

1. That is odd, because I checked that by connecting 2 #4 connectors in that spot and the points of attachment lined up perfectly. Also when attached only at one side it has quite a bit of wiggle room that I even considered locking down the 7L liftarm some more. Attached at 2 sides significantly reduced that wiggle room, but it is still there. So I don't see why LDD would consider it 'forced'.

I am going to test it again, because I have no desire to 'force' Lego and will adjust it if it is forced.

2. The black #1 connectors are connected with 2L axles. I kept the 1.5 pins for the yellow 7L liftarm, though 3L axles with stud would be fine too, maybe even better.

Edit: well I see now it is under stress, silly me missed that yesterday, so back to the drawing board.

Edit 2: Checked the LDD file, looks very solid. Again great work Victor, much appreciated. I looked real hard and I only see a missing black pin in the roof and a missing 1.5 pin on the other side of the roof, which aren't even really "needed". A total of 316 parts in the LDD, with pneumatic parts I guess it is around 340 parts

edit 3:

Made the rear stress free with the added bonus: the bumper looks a little beefed up now.

I don't know which option I like more though, this one above or the option below:

I like the angle of the wheelarch a little more in the first option than in the second option. I also like the flow into the system parts a little more with option 1, but I like the dip the 2L liftarm makes at the bumper in option 2 and the use of the connectors below the bend liftarms which are just filling a void to flesh out the wheelarch with option 1.

Bottom shot:

So far I use the first option, but let me know what you guys think

And perhaps I should use a 7L thin liftarm now for the rear lights, but I don't have any left at the moment I think.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Appie

[Tashi]

Hi Appie

Could you please reload photos of your great MOC?

[Appie]

Pictures seem to be working fine now, perhaps the server that hosts them was down briefly.

[Brickthus]

Very nice. Would be good to see it on the LEGO Ideas site. TLG may be looking for new pneumatic model ideas now that 42043 will have new pneumatic parts later this year.

Generally Technic sets are £10 per function but also have their price in proportion to size. As you have packed the functions into a smaller space that might improve functional value for money!

Mark