42097 Spider Crane MODs and Improvements

[1gor]

13 minutes ago, Ngoc Nguyen said:

 

I intend to build the B model in LBG, based on the LBG gear rack holders.

That could be more appealing Indeed

[Ngoc Nguyen]

42097 B mod: I added knobs to rotate the small turntables and open the outriggers horizontally. In the original design, the outriggers don't have knobs, and must be extend by hand. I find that inconvenient.

 

 

 

 

 

The result is two knobs tucked in nicely next to the knobs that drive the LA. I think these knobs can totally be added to original model with the pieces in the set, but I haven't built the official set yet, so this might be wrong.

 

 

[Plastik]

Hello all,

today I found an easy way to increase the lift capacity to more than 500 grams. I just turned the rear supports to front to support the front supports and connect the T-pieces of the rear stands to the L-pieces of the front supports. Adding the now free 1x3 liftarms to these conections improves the stability, so that the crane is able to carry about 650 grams, thought then the higher part of the crane arm bends extremely. I also explained this easy task in German in this thread: https://www.1000steine.de/de/gemeinschaft/forum/?entry=1&id=427774#id427774

There you can also find three additional pictures. Thank you for reading and greetings from Lower Saxonia, André (Plastik)

Edited October 31, 2019 by Plastik

[Plastik]

Hello all,

now the crane lifts more than 900 grams. Seven pieces that are not included in the set were added to stabillise the joint between the crane arm and the jimb. See the same thread with two additional pictures.

Cheers, André

Edited November 5, 2019 by Plastik

[Ngoc Nguyen]

42097 Yellow vs 42097 Red. Which one do you guys prefer?

 

Stage 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 3

 

 

 

 

[Maaboo the Witch]

Red looks more realistic, especially with the black tracks, which look more like the rubber treads on real spider cranes.

Now that I think about it, why didn't TLG get Alfredo to use black links? I can understand the yellow, since a red version would likely look too much like 42082 with the cloned boom, but the tracks are a headscratcher... 

[zoo]

3 hours ago, Maaboo35 said:

Red looks more realistic, especially with the black tracks, which look more like the rubber treads on real spider cranes.

Now that I think about it, why didn't TLG get Alfredo to use black links?

If they are thought of as steel track links, I'd say gray makes sense.

[Maaboo the Witch]

11 minutes ago, zoo said:

If they are thought of as steel track links, I'd say gray makes sense.

Spider cranes rarely use steel tracks. Not to say that they dont; some even use wheels. But rubber tracks are the most common solution.

[suffocation]

Agree, red with black tracks FTW.

Would love to see this thing in blue (space blue, not any of those baby azures) or dark blue with white accents. Obviously not possible with the current parts.

[doug72]

Got this as a Xmas present - built main model but I found it awkward & tedious to operate.

Might build the B model & then break it down and consign the parts to my spares boxes for other use.

Edited January 6, 2020 by Doug72

[ozacek]

I made a mod to have all outriggers deploy, lower & extend with a single motor, i.e. replacing 12 manual gears:

 

 

[ozacek]

I completed the model and made instructions, in case anyone is interested.
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-37412/olivierz/crawler-crane-42097-with-motorized-legs

[M_longer]

Not a mod, but complete rebuild. A tracked backhoe:
 

Thoughts?

[Maaboo the Witch]

Thoughts, you say? Right now I'm thinking "genius". 

[Magical Duck]

Love it! Reminds me of some of the early technic sets in the 80s.