42078 Mack Anthem Mods and improvements

[efferman]

This morning i have widened the sleeper to vehicle width, and is surprising how much difference 40 parts can give.

lxf

[grego18f]

Wow, the wider sleeper looks great!

[efferman]

My RC mod for the trailer is done. The mod can be done after assembling the trailer.

Trailer rc mod lxf

trailer rc mod parts

The neccessary parts

[Bartybum]

Looks amazing! Do you reckon a mod to shorten the length of the nose would be possible? The official model’s nose is too long and makes it look goofy from side on

Edited December 25, 2017 by Bartybum

[efferman]

The official set looks goofy because the cab is not wide enough.

btw, the rc mod

lxf rc mod

[Bartybum]

But it also looks goofy because the nose is a stud too long. In the actual vehicle there’s about one wheel’s diameter length of front bumper, whereas in the set there’s more.

[supertechnicman]

According to the official Mack Anthem brochure, LEGO made the cab the right width. The Anthem cab appears to be much narrower than the fenders. I think the biggest difference we’re seeing is the lack of a rounded sloping hood. 

[efferman]

@supertechnicman

Compare this picture (source)with the second

which one fits better, my widebody mod on the left, or the set on the right?

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

17 minutes ago, efferman said:

my widebody mod on the left

The left fits better, but for the lights above the windshield, I believe the 2nd from the left and the 2nd from the right should be only 1 stud, not 2.

[supertechnicman]

It’s hard to tell. Especially since the real truck’s windshield curves toward the sides. It looks like the real cab narrows slightly towards the top too. Has anyone found the dimensions of the actual truck cab to compare? @efferman your model does look like it matches better based on the first picture here: https://www.equipmentworld.com/mack-unveils-anthem-a-brand-new-on-highway-tractor/

I’m planning to replace several of the grey parts of the engine with red pieces to make it look more like the real Mack MP8. I don’t know why LEGO made the engine with so many grey and black pieces. It looks like the real MP8 is predominately red. 

Edited December 26, 2017 by supertechnicman

[efferman]

Yesterday i have made a new outrigger which is able to work above the kingpin. When it is tested under load i will make a lxf.

The black pieces on the boom are avoiding stress on the big actuator when it is fully extended. In the set it bends itself in this situation and needs more torque to move.


 

Edited December 27, 2017 by efferman

[Yevhen17]

Watch this video how to .... 

 

[efferman]

@Yevhen17, not sure if this fit into this topic

[iv-tecman]

10 minutes ago, efferman said:

@Yevhen17, not sure if this fit into this topic

Agree

Back to your mod, so how does the cab get its power? I couldn't see where the battery box sits? Take it not possible to build the cab and then add the motors after?

[efferman]

The battery box is placed under the roofspoiler and there is a need to disamble big parts of the cab.

Small question: two or three axles?

 

edit:

Edited December 27, 2017 by efferman

[paul_delahaye]

2 hours ago, efferman said:

Small question: two or three axles?

European truck, 3 axles no question on a 40ft container truck

[aminnich]

Looks much better with the outrigger/crane set up over the kingpin. Doing that also allows for a longs container. 

As always, nice work efferman! 

[efferman]

Maybe i have weak small actuators, the container seems to heavy for them

 

[efferman]

Small actuators are changed to Big ones. Next is swapping PF M with L

 

[iv-tecman]

Looks fantastic - just needs a third wheel axel on the trailer to make it look just like a real European container trailer.  I think the container box made longer looks much, much better IMO

Edited December 28, 2017 by iv-tecman

[efferman]

Yes, the standard container looks a bit like a cube.

The lxf of the 20 foot container trailer is mostly done

[evortigosa]

Double rear wheels are quite beautiful. Unfortunately, there is not enough space for a rigid structure :/

I also developed an RC version of the truck with Servo and L motor, keeping the bed.

And to mitigate the lack of fun of manually activated linear actuators, an automatized trailer with a gearbox powered from the truck battery box by an extension wire, an M motor and a control switch.

LXF HERE

Edited January 11, 2018 by evortigosa

[evortigosa]

@efferman is it possible to automate the entire movement of the cranes with only one motor? I mean, automate the container unload only turning on a motor, by the correct control of gear ratios?

Edited December 28, 2017 by evortigosa

[efferman]

@evortigosa

No, from transport position to the moment of lifting the container there is only movement for the upper actuator. if you only have one Motor maybe a gearbox solution would work like in this video

 

[tgrbailey]

@efferman fantastic work as ever..... can't wait to get one here in the UK!!