42055 - Bucket Wheel Excavator

[Droid228]

Background info for those who don't know: The BWE has 3 motorized function:

- The upper switch: turn the superstructure, and only works when the middle switch goes up.

- The lower switch: drive the BWE, and only works when middle switch goes down.

- The middle switch: when it goes up, it rotates the bucket wheel + drives the conveyor belts + enables turning the superstructure + disables driving ; when it goes down, it disables turning the superstructure + enables driving.

I have been wondering why Markus made the turning and driving depends on the bucket wheel switch, and I've just had an idea: maybe to prevent 3 functions engaged at the same time.

Its always a bit of a shame to have such a large/nice model with power functions but only a single motor.

Speaking from the PF sets i have, 8275 and 42030 which are great RC sets, well designed technic with a great PF layout.

42009 did great with PF on a single motor (even if the outriggers could be better), manual drive for the truck with PF on the crane upper.

42042 is great on the crane upper, but the drive (no steering /diff between tracks) and lack of power/jerky movement of the tracks are a bit of a let down.

Unfortunately the BWE looks like it will suffer the same. A single L motor going through a gearbox, at least 3 right angle turns, twisting/slack in long axle pieces and moving the weight of 3900 pieces will be less than stellar, only hope for decent movement will be a very low speed/high torque from gearing down.

I am absolutely getting at least one (maybe two) BWE sets to build a MOC with, i will probably have to pull PF parts from my WIP rc 42042 and give it the proper PF treatment.

[legolijntje]

[...]

Unfortunately the BWE looks like it will suffer the same. A single L motor going through a gearbox, at least 3 right angle turns, twisting/slack in long axle pieces and moving the weight of 3900 pieces will be less than stellar, only hope for decent movement will be a very low speed/high torque from gearing down.

[...]

I believe the BWE has an XL motor?

[Droid228]

I believe the BWE has an XL motor?

Makes sense, as torque would be more important than rotation speed for the BWE, either way the problems will still be similar as the total power output between the two is similar (3.2 vs 2.7w)

[thomol]

...only hope for decent movement will be a very low speed/high torque from gearing down.

Judging from various videos I think it's almost too fast for its scale. These things are SLOW in real life, you know.

[Droid228]

Judging from various videos I think it's almost too fast for its scale. These things are SLOW in real life, you know.

Agreed, i remember seeing the specs on them from my resource extraction tech studies, high capital and running costs, but they are hard to beat for loosely packed bulk material moving (shale/coal/topsoil).

[thomol]

I have been wondering why Markus made the turning and driving depends on the bucket wheel switch, and I've just had an idea: maybe to prevent 3 functions engaged at the same time.

Isn't this prototypical? BWE:s only dig when they're stationary; moving the buckets sideways by turning the superstructure. When they can't reach more material the drive to a new spot and start digging again.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

I'm reminded by the 42009, and the jerky movements of the outriggers. Even the L motor can't handle a bunch of gears in the 42009. This BWE may encounter a similar problem, even with the XL motor. Let's wait and see if Markus learns from the past.

Isn't this prototypical? BWE:s only dig when they're stationary; moving the buckets sideways by turning the superstructure. When they can't reach more material the drive to a new spot and start digging again.

Probably because of that reason together with the prevention of all 3 functions being engaged at the same time. I mean, from the mechanical perspective, if all 3 functions are engaged at the same time the motor won't have enough torque, and thus maybe none function will be working.

Edited June 12, 2016 by nguyengiangoc

[thomol]

Edit. Double post...

Edited June 12, 2016 by thomol

[dimaks13]

Judging from various videos I think it's almost too fast for its scale. These things are SLOW in real life, you know.

Not almost. It is really too fast. The scale of model is near 1:100 if comparing to length written on the sticker on the front of base. While "scale" of it's speed is between 1:20 and 1:4. Edited June 12, 2016 by dimaks13

[Bering]

The really big miss on this set is the lack of a motorized up/down movement of the bucket wheel. It could have been a real flagship.

[Appie]

That's for child safety. Motorized up and down results in children turning off the down movement too late while the wheel is spinning. Wheel hits the floor resulting in parts flying, potentially in their eyes.

Remember, this is still a set aimed at kids.

[Bering]

That's for child safety. Motorized up and down results in children turning off the down movement too late while the wheel is spinning. Wheel hits the floor resulting in parts flying, potentially in their eyes.

Remember, this is still a set aimed at kids.

But that could also happen with the manual up/down function. But i think the bucket wheel turns too slow anyway. The 42052 rotorblades (even with rubber) for example could do much more harm to the eyes. I think the solution for a motorized up/down function was to complex/expensive for Lego.

[ctx1769]

Motorised up and down, Lego has laid down the gauntlet to us

[Appie]

But that could also happen with the manual up/down function. But i think the bucket wheel turns too slow anyway. The 42052 rotorblades (even with rubber) for example could do much more harm to the eyes. I think the solution for a motorized up/down function was to complex/expensive for Lego.

The rotors have rubber tips and a mechanism internally to stop the blades at the smallest amount of resistance. So no, they wouldn't do more damage. There is also a difference between a part flying off a model with an unknown path (BWE) and you putting your eye in the line of the rotor to damage your eye (helicopter). The first is un-intended, the second is your own fault.

And lastly, you can't lower a large LA fast enough manually to drive it into the ground. Try it for yourself, LA's need 15 full rotations (give or take) from full extention to full collapse. That's alot to turn with your hand.

Edited June 12, 2016 by Appie

[N-4K0]

I prefer the manual up/down function, I think it would be too boring if there were almost no manual things to do.

[Bering]

I agree with you on the safety measures taken on the internals. However, i can't pretend any parts flying at the slow rate the bucket wheel is turning.

It will be a hard task for MOC'ers to get a 4 function gearbox with one motor. Time will tell...

[dr_spock]

You could hook up a Power Function IR Receiver and use the PF Speed Controller to adjust the speed of the bucket wheel. Assuming LEGO did performance tuning, the slow speed could have been chosen so that it works well picking up the LEGO pieces supplied with the set. On my GBC BWE, running the wheel too fast can cause the bucket content to miss the dump point into the conveyor belt. YMMV.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Or maybe, the LA is made manual simply because there is only enough space for 3 axles going down, and driving the BWE, driving the belt, and rotating the turret are more important than moving the LAs.

[GoldVillage]

That's for child safety. Motorized up and down results in children turning off the down movement too late while the wheel is spinning. Wheel hits the floor resulting in parts flying, potentially in their eyes.

Remember, this is still a set aimed at kids.

Interesting theory, but considering how weak the lego motors are and how slow everything spins and turns, thats not the reason. Nothing is gonna happend if the bucket wheel keep hitting the ground with full force, it will just come to a standstill eventually.

[Appie]

I agree with you on the safety measures taken on the internals. However, i can't pretend any parts flying at the slow rate the bucket wheel is turning.

Never underestimate kids.

Or maybe, the LA is made manual simply because there is only enough space for 3 axles going down, and driving the BWE, driving the belt, and rotating the turret are more important than moving the LAs.

Also a possibility.

Interesting theory, but considering how weak the lego motors are and how slow everything spins and turns, thats not the reason. Nothing is gonna happend if the bucket wheel keep hitting the ground with full force, it will just come to a standstill eventually.

Another theory: 2 kids playing, one kid at the motorized height controls, one on the side of the wheel. 'Woops, meant for it to go down, instead now the wheel is in your face'.

Of course it could be that they couldn't fit 4 axle gearbox up there, but I think that was not the only reason they didn't do that. It isn't the first time Lego adjusts stuff for kids. They always have kids in mind. Just look at the Porsche with its 600 baby steps manual, despite being a 16+ set.

[roppie11]

And yet your avatar is an image of the Porsche. Where's the Kossman love? Put a BWE in there :)

You're completely right! I believe i'm the first one to have a pic with 42055 B-model *feels satisfied*

[dimaks13]

You're completely right! I believe i'm the first one to have a pic with 42055 B-model *feels satisfied*

What do you mean by having a pic?

[Kaanere]

What do you mean by having a pic?

A profile pic

[Bering]

Interesting theory, but considering how weak the lego motors are and how slow everything spins and turns, thats not the reason. Nothing is gonna happend if the bucket wheel keep hitting the ground with full force, it will just come to a standstill eventually.

I agree on this. There are much more dangerous models for kids, for example the Mindstorms set. Shooting balls, a snake who hits kids in the eye/face.

A 4-gearbox was just too complex to achieve in a 4-gearbox with one motor. Now we are left with a "motorized" BWE and a lame up/down function. Not flagship worthy in my opinion and can not be forgiven at this price level.

[Beard]

I think retaining some manual functions is quite ok. It would be a whole different matter, if it couldn't be done at all.