Posted February 24, 20196 yr My 4-year-old-nephew is far keener on playing with Lego than rotting away with a dumbphone in his grubby mitts, so I thought I'd build him a tow truck to mess around with. I've tried to keep it small and simple so he can be his adorable destructive self and I can fix any damage in just a few minutes. It was my first try at this scale, so I was miles out of my comfort zone. I also had only a week to build it so he could have it for his birthday. I couldn't fit any suspension but I did manage to cram in the following motorised functions, all driven by 1 M motor: - side outriggers - rear outriggers - tow fork adjustment #1 - tow fork adjustment #2 - front winch - crane rotation - crane lift/lowering - crane winch All the functions are activated by eight independent two-way switches, so no need to mess around with the battery box to change direction. The front winch is fitted with a linear clutch so that it can be extended manually even though it is driven via a worm gear. There's a fake 4-cylinder engine (in the cabin, so the driver gets to breathe lots of flowery fossil fumes) connected to the rear wheels. Oh, steering - obviously - and opening cabin doors. The truck looks like a steaming pile of rhino dung but it works pretty well, which was my main concern. Will shoot some better pics and a video as soon as the weather clears up. Constructive criticism is welcome as always. Edited March 2, 20196 yr by suffocation
February 24, 20196 yr Looks very similar to something Alfred Pedersen would design, especially considering the angled panel technique on the front of the cab which he used on 42008 and 42024. Good job!
February 24, 20196 yr Interesting the differential frames, using connectors instead of frames, I will have to remember that method. Actually I don't think it looks half bad considering the functions and time constraints, I think you did and good job. Your nephew should very much enjoy it, plus he can disassemble it. Edited February 24, 20196 yr by Johnny1360 Spelling
February 24, 20196 yr I like building in that scale and pendular suspension is the best your'e gonna get and its not worth it.. Great job!! and I love the red white and blue theme
February 24, 20196 yr Ok so the front end is not great looking from the side view but the moc as a whole works for me. It looks neatly constructed, the colours work and you packed it with functions. H
February 24, 20196 yr It looks amazing! I think you nailed it with building at this scale. There's only two minor things that I think could have been better; one is the cab - the side "windows" are too big. I think a 3x11 panel could have covered that space pretty well. Another one is the wheel choice. I personally prefer wheels with this rim when building at this scale, but that's just personal taste.
February 26, 20196 yr Considering the story behind, I find it really attractive in a technical way, that is where real beauty hides. And in my experience for a 4 year old this looks just like a real one. What a mission! I'm proud of you. I've been using similar outriggers on my crane truck. They can be really beefy. They easily lifted the whole truck in the air.
February 26, 20196 yr love it. it has a great style of dorky futuristicnes too it. I mean that in a good way. and functions, so many of them, great fun for the target audience.
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