42055 - Bucket Wheel Excavator

[Appie]

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

Nah, everything needs to be automated, let's trash the Arocs as well for its manual outriggers. Totally not flagship worthy and not to be forgiven at that price level. Obviously I am being sarcastic here, since I think the Arocs is a great set, but that's probably what Bering would say.

Edit

Let me be clear: I actually do consider that a missed opportunity on the Arocs, but I can also see that putting the 42009 mechanism in that space below the crane and above the suspension would be very tight, even with the new extender parts. But saying that minor flaw brings down the whole model? Hardly. Same for the BWE. Everything can always be done better, but I can let such a small mistake slide and come up with reasons why they didn't implement it instead of screaming that it makes the whole set crap as a flagship and it doesn't warrant its price. The Porsche costs more, has less parts, is flawed from front to back and you can't let one little flaw on the BWE slide? Bering must not buy very many sets if that's the case.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Appie

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Rare shots from behind and below the gear box:

[technicfan]

Alternative model:

Source: promobricks on facebook: https://www.facebook...988155491242154

This screening plant will be cool if it isn't too big. Will be cool if the L350 Volvo will lift high enough to fit in into it, otherwise might have to build a ramp up to the hopper. A and B model gets a from me.

[suffocation]

I've been working on a gearbox to replace the official one (I know, it's kind of silly to be modding a set before it even comes out) and was wondering whether the configuration I came up with makes any sense. I'd like to keep the single XL motor and have six switches:

1- activate bucket wheel and conveyor belts

2 - slew superstructure

3 - raise-lower bucket wheel arm

4 - drive backward/forward

5 - steer left/right

6 - adjust second conveyor belt (left/right)

With the obvious exception of the first one, the switches - rather than the battery box - would be used to activate the various functions in either direction, like on the 42042 crane.

[andrewganschow]

I think it would be awesome to see the levers drive each function in two directions. Sounds good to me.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

1- activate bucket wheel and conveyor belts

2 - slew superstructure

3 - raise-lower bucket wheel arm

4 - drive backward/forward

5 - steer left/right

6 - adjust second conveyor belt (left/right)

Why don't you make 4 and 5 control 2 tracks separately, like in 8043?

[suffocation]

Why don't you make 4 and 5 control 2 tracks separately, like in 8043?

That might be a good idea. I reckon there's space in the substructure to incorporate a subtractor but given how slow this type of machinery is meant to be, it might not really be worth it.

Anyway, here's a very rudimental gearbox I threw together (sorry about the lousy phone pics):

http://bricksafe.com/files/hateofallhatreds/gearbox%201.jpg

http://bricksafe.com/files/hateofallhatreds/gearbox%202.jpg

Red is input, black is output. The gearbox ought to fit into the set - with a few tweaks here and there, of course.

[Kman860]

Looks good!

[Ngoc Nguyen]

http://bricksafe.com...s/gearbox 1.jpg

http://bricksafe.com...s/gearbox 2.jpg

Red is input, black is output. The gearbox ought to fit into the set - with a few tweaks here and there, of course.

Holy molly, that's a lot. How do you intend to pass all 6 axles down the superstructure?

[Bering]

Good idea, i like it. Maybe steering can be accomplished as shown by this 42042 MOC.

[suffocation]

Looks good!

Thanks! A bit messy, perhaps, but it was thrown together between work assignments.

Holy molly, that's a lot. How do you intend to pass all 6 axles down the superstructure?

Good question. The superstructure looks pretty spacious, so there ought to be enough room to move things around and build everything in. I'd also like to gear down downstream to optimise torque. Do you reckon it's feasible?

Good idea, i like it. Maybe steering can be accomplished as shown by this 42042 MOC.

42042 It looks like it's got independent tracks à la 8043, as Nguyengiangoc also recommended. It does make more sense than using a subtractor, since on a model of this kind the latter would be more of an exercise in gear-cramming than a useful or even just fun feature.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

Good question. The superstructure looks pretty spacious, so there ought to be enough room to move things around and build everything in. I'd also like to gear down downstream to optimise torque. Do you reckon it's feasible?

I assume that you intend to put your gearbox in the same place at the model's one. You can take a look at the picture below; there are only spaces for 3 yellow axles going down from the upper arm.

Your gearbox has 6 different output axles. So I can't really imagine how you'll route all 6 of them down.

[Chimaninja454]

Ah, but I'm planning to buy this, is it better than the Porsche?

[TheNextLegoDesinger]

it a much better set for it's price but it all depends on what you want.

if you want a lot of tracks and parts, get this one

if you want something you can paly whit, it depends, they both have their pro's and con's

if you want wheels and suspention parts, get 42056

if you want a beatiful building experience and a big coffee-tablebook, get 42056

...

i was about to buy the 42056 instead of this one but since the reviews, my intressed almost vanished. As i only have around 400€ each year to spend on lego, i am really leaving a lot of sets i want beside and i only go for those i really want. and as i can get this one and the 42055 and 42035 for the same money (42056 330€ here) i am probrally end up buying them and have the same pieces i want, tracks and suspention parts. if i had 1000€ each year i wouldn't mind spending 330€ on a set but now i would only have around 70€ left so i don't buy it. as i'm only 17 by the time these sets come in shops, there will still come sets like the 42056 around in my life which are much better

IMHO just get the 42055 and 42053 if you want parts and suspention

Greetz

TNLD

[Lyichir]

Considering the BWE has nearly 4.000 pieces I would imagine this book would be even bigger than the Porsche's, which doesn't even reach the 3.000 pieces.

I'd say more likely about the same size, since you could replace most of the supplementary information from the Porsche booklet with additional instructions pages. In fact, I would not be surprised if booklets that size start becoming standard for some of Lego's largest and most complex sets. I've noticed that Lego has started cutting down on the use of multiple booklets for certain themes, now that they've started making "perfect bound" instruction booklets for larger or more expensive sets.

Of course, it's still possible that the BWE might use multiple booklets—I could see them splitting the main build of a set this size into several sections with their own booklets, along with possibly having a separate booklet for the small mining truck.

[Kman860]

I'd say more likely about the same size, since you could replace most of the supplementary information from the Porsche booklet with additional instructions pages. In fact, I would not be surprised if booklets that size start becoming standard for some of Lego's largest and most complex sets. I've noticed that Lego has started cutting down on the use of multiple booklets for certain themes, now that they've started making "perfect bound" instruction booklets for larger or more expensive sets.

Of course, it's still possible that the BWE might use multiple booklets—I could see them splitting the main build of a set this size into several sections with their own booklets, along with possibly having a separate booklet for the small mining truck.

Perfect bound?

[suffocation]

I assume that you intend to put your gearbox in the same place at the model's one. You can take a look at the picture below; there are only spaces for 3 yellow axles going down from the upper arm.

Your gearbox has 6 different output axles. So I can't really imagine how you'll route all 6 of them down.

Yes, I'd like to put it in the same place as the original's. I guess I'll have to wait for the set to come out and then see what I can come up with - I can always beef it up so there's more room for glorious gears

[Blakbird]

Perfect bound?

An aspirational name, to be sure, but it really called that.

[Kman860]

What's so special about it though?

[Lyichir]

What's so special about it though?

Perfect Binding refers to when the instruction booklets are actually bound with glue to a paperboard cover so that they have a rigid "spine" instead of simply being pages folded in half and stapled together. In terms of advantages, not only is it generally sturdier than staples would be, but it also allows Lego to make larger booklets for large sets instead of having to have as many separate stapled booklets (since a stapled booklet has a hard limit on how thick it can be while remaining securely bound together).

[Kman860]

Ok, thanks for explaining

[Capn Frank]

i'm only 17

Eurobricks is meant for adults. You need to start posting like one. You need to use capitalization, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. Eurobricks does tolerate bad English as we are a site that welcomes users from all around the world, but we don't tolerate laziness. I recommend you read the Site Guidelines. Thank you.

[roppie11]

Holy molly, that's a lot. How do you intend to pass all 6 axles down the superstructure?

One goes to the wheel so only five are going down. It still is a very nice challenge

[Alegomind]

I think it has about 200-210 tracks, does someone know exact number?

[andrewganschow]

I think it has about 200-210 tracks, does someone know exact number?

to my knowledge the exact number of tread links has not been posted or heard of, but I'd assume 200~250 links is about right, 50 for each driving side, maybe 50~75 for the main conveyor belt, and another 35~50 for the off loading conveyor.