[TC22] Skid Excavator [Done] or End Loader [Done] (Free Instructions)

[Thirdwigg]

Alright, I'm a little late to the game, but I want to play.

I confess I am still on the fence about doing a front end loader, so I'll give my draft one more go this weekend, and make a decision about if to move forward with it.

But, ever since @Jundis started his Mecalac 12MTX WIP, I, like many of you I'm sure, have been spending a lot of time on the Mecalac website. They have a lot of fun little machines. Each would make a fun little project. For this contest, I wanted to see if I could do a little skid excavator. I finally got a little time to build this week, and here is what I have so far.

It's pretty basic (and sorry I burned out my photo lights today), but it is a good start to see what I can fit. The MOC is currently 26 modules long, 20 modules tall, and 17 modules wide which equals 8,840 cubic modules/studs. I planned the project at 29x20x17 (9,860), so I should be fine. I suspect the MOC will get a little longer and taller, so it is good I have a little bit of space to expand if needed.

Currently I have the following functions, all of which are manual:

• Front Plow up and down
• Slewing from HOG
• Boom 1 up and down
• Boom 2 up and down
• Boom 3 in and out
• Bucket scoop
• Interchangeable bucket

I have a lot of room in the back, so I hope to do something else with that, and the cabin will have a door or something.

Everything right now is a rough placement, but the movement of the boom is acceptable, so the pivot points might be effectively "fixed" at this point.

We'll see where this goes....

Edited May 25, 2022 by Thirdwigg

[Nazgarot]

Is this the right size to use the older rubber belts for tracks? I think that would look much better!

_ED_

[Jundis]

What a cool project, I am glad I could somehow trigger this a little bit :-)

But I agree with @Nazgarot, the tracks seem to big here, have you tried the 3L ones or the rubber tread?

[Maaboo the Witch]

Good choice of bucket! It's been five years and TLG hasn't reused it.

[mpj]

Looking very promising! I always like your building style so I will look forward to see the final result.

Do you have an idea of what scale is this model?

I also think that rubber tracks would be better.

[Thirdwigg]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I confess, all the comments about the track size was a little unexpected for me. I tried the small tracks, and they looked too tiny. Let me bring them back out, and I'll post a photo with them to see what you all think. I don't have the rubber tracks, so it's gonna be one of these two link options.

2 hours ago, Maaboo35 said:

Good choice of bucket! It's been five years and TLG hasn't reused it.

Thanks, it will be one of the three options for the boom.

3 hours ago, Jundis said:

What a cool project, I am glad I could somehow trigger this a little bit :-)

It's pretty fun how many of my ideas come from other builders. I hope you keep going on the project at some point.

2 hours ago, mpj said:

Looking very promising! I always like your building style so I will look forward to see the final result.

Do you have an idea of what scale is this model?

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I can deliver on this project as well.

Scale is about 1:19 (which means, now that I'm looking at it, the cab is about a stud short).

[Thirdwigg]

I often have problems of indecision when building. No, let me reframe that, there are a lot of things I like to build, and it's great I get to try out many of these ideas. As I mentioned above, I also have a draft of a End Loader. And while I think the Skid Excavator is more interesting, my mental space keeps getting filled by the loader. So I thought I would explore this project as well. I'll see where both of these drafts go....

It's a little clunky right now, but the framework and general placement of features is there. The boom lift is perfect, but there are a couple of issues with the bucket tilt mechanism that need to be addressed before I can proceed. I'll add in some steering, and some form of fake engine. This is modeled after a midsize loader (Volvo L50H, Deere 544K) and is about 1:22 scale.

Currently the size is 33l x 18h x 15w for 8910 cubic studs. This gives me some room to play with, and will even allow for some interchangeable forks.

[jorgeopesi]

I have to get those wheels they are perfect for machinery, nice loader.

[1gor]

3 hours ago, jorgeopesi said:

I have to get those wheels they are perfect for machinery, nice loader.

I wonder why didn't you get Wrangler; it's not expensive, has 5 wheels lots of parts even in yellow...

[jorgeopesi]

43 minutes ago, 1gor said:

I wonder why didn't you get Wrangler; it's not expensive, has 5 wheels lots of parts even in yellow...

I thought a lot about buying them but I bought the zetros ones and did not use them yet... I do not have too much Lego and I would like to have even less, so I do not usually buy sets, too many parts for only a couple of them that I really want, I am sorry for the off-topic. 

[1gor]

6 minutes ago, jorgeopesi said:

I thought a lot about buying them but I bought the zetros ones and did not use them yet... I do not have too much Lego and I would like to have even less, so I do not usually buy sets, too many parts for only a couple of them that I really want, I am sorry for the off-topic. 

It's my guilt that we got off topic. I have same problem; but most likely I'll build what I plan and sell the rest, since I have much older parts that uses space... Very sorry @Thirdwigg to derail your topic I little bit...but imho small tracked excavator is something I see every day (JCB) so I prefer that one...

[GerritvdG]

6 hours ago, Thirdwigg said:

And while I think the Skid Excavator is more interesting, my mental space keeps getting filled by the loader.

Yes, I also think the Skid Excavator is more interesting and maybe more challenging. But I understand that a loader is this scale is also much fun!

Cheers, Gerrit

[Thirdwigg]

5 hours ago, jorgeopesi said:

I thought a lot about buying them but I bought the zetros ones and did not use them yet... I do not have too much Lego and I would like to have even less, so I do not usually buy sets, too many parts for only a couple of them that I really want, I am sorry for the off-topic. 

I admire your restraint as we have constant pressure to buy more and more. Keep building...

I'll keep going on the Skid Excavator, so I'll post an update soon.

[jorgeopesi]

 

8 hours ago, Thirdwigg said:

I admire your restraint as we have constant pressure to buy more and more. Keep building...

I'll keep going on the Skid Excavator, so I'll post an update soon.

I would like to have more pressure fron Lego but they would have to change too many things, the 42139 and 42136 are a good start... and both use the same tyres, I see them everywhere...

Edited April 29, 2022 by jorgeopesi

[Seasider]

Glad to see you’ve got an entry … sorry two streams of thought … I normally suffer from this too.

I like both the models you’ve come up with so far. I’d say go with wherever your gut takes you.

I’m surprised there’s not more entries using the Wrangler tyres, they’re perfect for construction equipment in the size we’re doing here. Or perhaps I’ve just not explored enough competition threads as yet.

[Thirdwigg]

My apologies to Team Skid Excavator, but I had 30 minutes of available building time last night, and some clearly defined goals for the loader, so I spent the time rebuilding the whole thing. To use the words of @Seasider, my "gut" was feeling loader yesterday.

I now have a bucket tilt linkage that works throughout the whole boom lift range. It is well supported, doesn't bind, and allows for all the needed positions. It will also work well for Forks, which can be interchanged by removing two axles from the side. A HOG knob for the tilt actuator will be placed on the top of the cabin. The chassis is a mess right now, but I tend to do this part last once all the functions are placed where I want them.

Steering is placed, though the HOG needs to move backward one stud. A placeholder for the engine is in as well, though I have not decided if it will be longitudinally or transversally mounted. 

I won't have much building time this weekend, but next week is a little more open. The next step on the Excavator is going to require some focused building time.....

[Thirdwigg]

OK, with each passing day, the likelihood that I finish the Skid Excavator for the contest diminishes, as I keep coming back to the loader.

I am now on Chassis Draft 4, which means parts are finalized enough for me to start making a studio file.

I moved the tilt function control to behind the cab rather than above it, as it cleaned up the cabin a little bit. The engine is in, and fully braced. The steering works well, and now that the gears are fully braced, its super smooth.

I am currently trying some different bumper ideas, and I think I have one that I like. The rear engine cover and cab will be the last parts I do. It is looking like I will need to get a couple of parts, so I'll need to finalize the build in the coming days, so I still have time to order parts, and try them out. I'll try to get a photo of the current stage in rear bricks up tomorrow with the miscolored bricks.

 

[1gor]

Very nice usage if seat panel. 

[Thirdwigg]

18 hours ago, 1gor said:

Very nice usage if seat panel. 

Thanks, it was a fun little discovery for the MOC.

OK, so I finally spent a little time on the skid excavator, and I'm happy I did. I am reinvigorated by the project, and I think I might be able to turn it into something pretty neat. Maybe for the contest.

The boom is pretty final. Three different heads are attachable, and the range of motion is right were I want it to be.

I need to do some work getting the superstructure frame good and solid, but once I have a rough outline of the body, I'll be able to lock it all together. I'm liking the red and dark bluish grey so far.

I have not yet had a chance to try the other tracks, but maybe this week.

Also here is the loader. It's pretty final, but there are a couple of areas that need a little bit of focus like the cab and the rear bodywork.

More coming.....

[GerritvdG]

This is becoming a pretty impressive duo , I really like both!

[mpj]

Both very good models and both very good candidates for the contest!

[jorgeopesi]

I can not believe the fast you build very impresive MOCs.

[Thirdwigg]

6 hours ago, jorgeopesi said:

I can not believe the fast you build very impresive MOCs.

I think some of those in my household wish I wouldn't.  Glad you like them.

7 hours ago, mpj said:

Both very good models and both very good candidates for the contest!

 

8 hours ago, GerritvdG said:

This is becoming a pretty impressive duo , I really like both!

Thanks. At some point I'll need to decide between them. I'm not sure what I would do yet? It might just come down to which one is finished.

[Jundis]

The new panel on the excavator looks great! :-)

Is the boom in the original model also centered? Maybe the space for the cab will be quite narrow :-/

[Thirdwigg]

17 minutes ago, Jundis said:

The new panel on the excavator looks great! :-)

Is the boom in the original model also centered? Maybe the space for the cab will be quite narrow :-/

On the Mecalac the boom is off center (and pretty narrow). It will be centered on this MOC: 5 studs for the cab, 5 for the boom, and 5 for the non-cab side.