[TC9] Combine Harvester and Hot Rod

[lcvisser]

The idea for TC9 is really great, and while I think it might be a bit above my skill level, I figured I can always give it a try

I decided to build a combine harvester, because they're cool. Here is mine:

The functions are:

• HOG steering
  
• Rotating header, driven by differential on the front wheels
  
• Raising and lowering header
  
• Manually removable header
  
• Manually extendable unloader pipe
  

Currently, the model measures 30x25x13 = 9750 cubic studs with the header attached. I was planning on including a trailer for the header for transport, but I don't see where I can fit it so that the model remains inside the limits when the header is on the front.

I'm not 100% happy with the cabin; especially the seat is a bit silly, I think. Ideas for improvement (also other parts) are welcome . Please let me know what you think!

Here are some more photo's. Once I'm satisfied with the model, I'll take some better photos (with better light) and then disassemble it. Unfortunately I don't have enough if the parts used to keep the A and B models intact .

With the unloader pipe extended:

Header raised:

Header removed:

I plan to put a trailer on the B-model tractor, so I needed some extra wheels ; they're used for HOG steering (rear wheel) and raising/lowering of the header (front one):

Edited December 26, 2015 by Ludo Visser

[BusterHaus]

Nice build! It's got a great shape and I like the wheel choice. By the way, if you can, try to spend a few extra minutes to set up an extra lamp for the pictures to present the model in the best light possible (pun intended).

[zweihander]

I like the overall shape too, nicely built. I'd suggest trying to use 12t gears if you have any extra for the hog controls, wheels on the top look a bit big and distracting.

[lcvisser]

Nice build! It's got a great shape and I like the wheel choice. By the way, if you can, try to spend a few extra minutes to set up an extra lamp for the pictures to present the model in the best light possible (pun intended).

Thanks! I tried quite a few combinations of wheels to find a set that matched the scale. Glad you like it.

The "photo studio" I usually use (like here) doubles as kitchen and washing room; guess which function has the lowest priority The "photo studio" has a large overhead light and a window and thus much better lighting. I will use that again when the A-model is final (and the laundry has been put away )

I like the overall shape too, nicely built. I'd suggest trying to use 12t gears if you have any extra for the hog controls, wheels on the top look a bit big and distracting.

Thanks! I was hoping to use those wheels for a trailer in the B-model, but I see your point. Maybe I should let go of the trailer idea and find something more elegant indeed.

I'm tempted to try to build in a switch for engaging/disengaging the rotation of the header while driving, but maybe I should focus on a B-model instead. From the last TC8 I learned that I tend to spend to much time on cramming in functionality and then get stuck with too little time left...

Edited December 26, 2015 by Ludo Visser

[TinkerBrick]

Looks really good. I'd shorten the header width a bit. Have you considers make some kind of trailer for the header. Would be a great way to put those wheels for the M- model in use.

[http://cdn.idealo.com/folder/Product/1773/7/1773747/s1_produktbild_mid/bruder-john-deere-maehdrescher-t670i-02132.jpg]

[pyro690]

I like it, reminds me of the 80s sets with the wheels on top.

[lcvisser]

Looks really good. I'd shorten the header width a bit. Have you considers make some kind of trailer for the header. Would be a great way to put those wheels for the M- model in use.

["]http://cdn.idealo.co...670i-02132.jpg]

Thanks!

I have considered putting a trailer, but for the contest it would have to be attached to the machine when counting the volume. The only way to make that a feasible thing is to "hang" the trailer on the back, I think. That would make the machine a bit longer, which I guess can be compensated by making the header a bit less wide... I find it difficult to assess what the dimensions of the header should be, but I'm going to give it a try!

[lcvisser]

Revision 2:

Ok, it looks pretty much the same

I changed a lot though:

• The wheels on the top have been replaced with 12z double bevel gears as suggested by erelender; they were a bit too much. I guess I have to think about a tractor attachment without wheels, or keep thinking about a trailer for this one (as suggested by TinkerBrick)
  
• I added a small gearbox to engage/disengage the header rotation. The little gray switch on the side controls this function. To add this gearbox, I had to completely rebuild the back portion (the rear lights didn't survive this rebuild).
  
• I replaced the seat with the seats from 42031 that I got for Christmas.
  

I built a bounding box of 30x12x25 = 9000 cubic studs:

This box is one stud lower than I reported before (9750 cubic studs). I thought the wheels were more than 5 studs diameter, so I rounded up to 13 initially. But with this box it seems that it still measures 12 studs to the top of the exhaust pipes. Under the assumption that this is a correct measurement I could add a foldable trailer hanging on the back of the machine, but I've never seen something like that in real life... Anyone?

Finally, here's a small movie demonstrating the functionality.

I'm really happy with how this turned out, so I'm going to work on a digital version so I can rebuild it after doing the B-model If there's interest, I might try to do instructions

Edited December 28, 2015 by Ludo Visser

[TinkerBrick]

Still looking good. The feature for disengaging the header is the icing on the cake.

[Technic Jim]

I'd be interested in having instructions or a 3D model; I really like this model and it's functionality

[Appie]

Really cool little model, nice amount of functions and besides the wheels (I love them, but Lego doesn't make them anymore) this could be an official set.

One minor suggestion: happen to have the parts of the 42031 seat in another colour? Since the main colour of the model is red, it doesn't really pop.

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Excellent build!

[lcvisser]

Thanks all for the kind words!

One minor suggestion: happen to have the parts of the 42031 seat in another colour? Since the main colour of the model is red, it doesn't really pop.

Until I got the 42031 I didn't know this part existed, so I don't have any more except these. I agree though that another color can be better to make it stand out. Maybe LBG or blue... I'd need to order the parts and reshoot the photo's, so maybe I stand corrected. Turns out the LEGO Easter Bunny has the required parts in LBG. That bunny has been sitting in the living room since forever and I never noticed. I'll try LBG seats, although I think blue ones would look even better. However, I don't think anyone would ship 4 cents worth of parts

Now, I first need to focus on the B-model

Edited December 28, 2015 by Ludo Visser

[zweihander]

Looking real good, I fully agree that this could really be an official model.

If you think you'll need additional tires for the b-model, maybe you can use double tires on the rear? I don't know if they'd look too wide or not though.

[Rockbrick]

love the old school wheels !

[agrof]

This is my favorite till now in this contest.

It is easily up to the official sets, excellent MOC!

[lcvisser]

Thanks!

I ordered parts for a blue seat. Hopefully they arrive soon so I can make final photo's. In the mean time I'm digitizing the model and thinking about the B-model. I'm thinking something like this would work out well:

Otherwise a more contemporary model. With some kind of attachment that doesn't need wheels

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

You make me curious!

[Technic Jim]

Otherwise a more contemporary model. With some kind of attachment that doesn't need wheels

Some sort of plough?

[lcvisser]

Final version: blue seat and some minor changes in the construction to make it more robust.

More pictures here.

You make me curious!

I'm curious too

Some sort of plough?

Hmm, that could work, although I'd like to have something moving. There's one of these inside somewhere, which would make a real nice PTO I think:

Edited January 1, 2016 by Ludo Visser

[Sylvian]

Very clean & compact,. Better than some official lego sets imo,. Also like the wheelchoice.

I am curious to what you come up with next!

[Captain Dee]

This is a really nice model overall. You've got some good features and I like those old wheels. The header functions are great, and it's not too wide for reality - the biggest flex draper platforms are 45 feet wide, so as long as you meet the rules I say go for it! I've never heard of any header cart/trailer that wasn't rigid, so I'd drop that folding trailer idea if it makes things easier.

I like the overall look, but the unloading auger is just too small. It should extend past the edge of the header to avoid difficult unloading angles (it would be impossible to unload on-the-go as shown). Most current models extend out the back or at least reach to the back when in the transport position.

You could try a folding header and eliminate the trailer issue altogether. But that would require completely reworking it, which might be best as an experiment. It's good like it is.

I like the colors too. Massey-Ferguson? Case IH? MacDon draper header?

Good work.

[lcvisser]

Thanks for the feedback!

You're right about unloading auger, although I hadn't noticed myself. Unfortunately, I just disassembled it to build a B-model, but if I have time I will rebuild it and put a longer beam, maybe 13L (this one is only 9L).

About the colors: I didn't have a particular brand in mind when building, I just happen to have quite a bit of red beams I did see a lot of Case IH photo's though during building, so I guess the color is appropriate.

[lcvisser]

The Case tractor idea is off... The wheels are way out of proportion for this:

I realize that set 8281 has the same wheels, so something at this scale might work... But this set has 121 parts; what am I going to do with the other 280?

Edited January 2, 2016 by Ludo Visser

[zweihander]

I think you could make 15 or so different attachments with the extra pieces :D