RC Forest Skidder

[lapsanszkitamas]

As a kid growing up in Transylvania, TAF skidders built at the IRUM plant in Reghin were a mainstream sight. I was always impressed by the power of these monsters, and how they defied anything Mother Nature could throw at them: snow, ice, mud, step gradients, big logs. My machine is not a scale replica, but rather a representation of the concept, drawing inspiration from the ol' reliable TAF 690 OP, the upgraded 690 PE (with Perkins engine and electronics) and the brand new TAF 2012 (especially the G version). 

For all intents and purposes it's a trial truck, built for the february contest held by RoLUG, so extra-functions are rather lacking. 

Stats:

• 4x4 drive provided by 2 XL motors, geared 8.4:1 (12/20, 12/20 bevel, 8/24 portal), steering provided by 2 linear actuators powered by a geared L motor
• Working winch, only pulls the cable when the tractor is moving forward (hard coupled to the drivetrain of the front axle). The sole purpose of this winch is to help the skidder over obstacles or deep snow
• pendular front axle (realistic)
• blade turning with front axle (realistic)
• manual grabber (rather esthetic detail, easily motorisable by adding a pneumatic pump and a switch)
• snowchains (realistic)

LEGO Custom RC forest skidder - inspired by and modelled after IRUM/MAVIPROD TAF 690 PE and TAF 2012G. Living close to mountains, I grew up seeing these monster machines pulling heavy logs through mud, snow and ice, with no regard to freezing temperatures by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

LEGO Custom RC forest skidder - inspired by and modelled after IRUM/MAVIPROD TAF 690 PE and TAF 2012G. Living close to mountains, I grew up seeing these monster machines pulling heavy logs through mud, snow and ice, with no regard to freezing temperatures by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

LEGO Custom RC forest skidder - inspired by and modelled after IRUM/MAVIPROD TAF 690 PE and TAF 2012G. Living close to mountains, I grew up seeing these monster machines pulling heavy logs through mud, snow and ice, with no regard to freezing temperatures by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

LEGO Custom RC forest skidder - inspired by and modelled after IRUM/MAVIPROD TAF 690 PE and TAF 2012G. Living close to mountains, I grew up seeing these monster machines pulling heavy logs through mud, snow and ice, with no regard to freezing temperatures by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

After some maintenance and improvements

20180205_221537 by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

20180205_221904 by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

20180205_222033 by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

 

The 5 year old kid in me screamed of pleasure when i saw the wonderful tracks left in the snow. 

20180205_221554 by tamas lapsanszki, on Flickr

Aaaand a short video. The batteries are extremely low, so the performance is lacking, especially when it's steering, but with fresh batteries i'm sure it'll perform admirably. First video before the upgrade. Second video after the upgrade

 

Edited February 15, 2018 by lapsanszkitamas
pics changed to 1024

[Maaboo the Witch]

Great stuff! I just recently found out about IRUM skidders; they're beasts! Good representation of one you've got here - it looks just as powerful as its real world version. 

[Leonardo da Bricki]

Great work! Lots of power, it looks good.  Best of luck in your trial competition!

[1gor]

Concept is OK, but to much red for my taste

[lapsanszkitamas]

Thanks for the feedback, it is much appreciated. Actually, there is not enough red :)) But i see your point, it would look wonderful in "Bumblebee" livery or John Deere green. I doubt a Claas livery would look fine