The Ultimate 8043 (modifications)

[DLuders]

@ Shimon: There was this Eurobricks post that discussed the relative merits of using the small bb466 "Electric 9V Battery Box Power Functions (Non-Rechargeable)" (that uses 6 ea. AAA Batteries) instead of the identically-sized 8878 "Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box" . I've been trying to find the AAA version for sale on Shop.Lego.com in the USA, with no luck so far. They are available on Bricklink, however.

The 8878 has the additional expense of needing the 8887 "Power Functions Transformer 10VDC" . All things being equal, it should be a lot less expensive to set up the AAA battery box.

bb466:

8878 Combination:

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

hmm, i think it looks stupid with this little bucket...

I think it looks even more stupid with a bucket which is too big, doesn't rotate in the right place and doesn't move in and out far enough (that's a 3 to 1 for me). I guess it's just a matter of taste what you think looks best. One thing for shure: it digs a lot better with the smaller one. The choice is yours of course.

If you want to use the big bucket, but want to improve the rotation-point and working range, you can always use Barman's bucket-mod:

Edited August 18, 2010 by Jurgen Krooshoop

[shimon]

@ Shimon: There was this Eurobricks post that discussed the relative merits of using the small bb466 "Electric 9V Battery Box Power Functions (Non-Rechargeable)" (that uses 6 ea. AAA Batteries) instead of the identically-sized 8878 "Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box" . I've been trying to find the AAA version for sale on Shop.Lego.com in the USA, with no luck so far. They are available on Bricklink, however.

The 8878 has the additional expense of needing the 8887 "Power Functions Transformer 10VDC" . All things being equal, it should be a lot less expensive to set up the AAA battery box.

bb466:

8878 Combination:

thanks DLuders i haven't seen this one

i also think it wouldn't work quite well without 8878

[mortenm]

I wanted to buy this set but hold it off after the troubles surfaced on the internet. Now I have seen this I will def buy it, incl the extra Power Function parts you mentioned. Because I don't own the bulldozer, do you have an idea of which other current technic set will give me the needed extra parts ?

@mortenm : why don't you use the mods but keep the original bucket ? That is my intention also.

i will, i just wanted to know why Jurgen did what he did :)

and sure, it's a question about taste, and i might going to use the small bucket i havent decided yet, i also havent started the rebuilding yet, all my bricks are put away, because of moving, so it wont be the next 2 or 3 months (in that time LEGO better have to come out with a solution for the problems with this model - so i'll wait and see)

[ritztoys]

What do you get if you take the new 8043 Motorized excavator, some extra PF and technic parts and a crazy builder ?

The Ultimate 8043

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS.

I modified my 8043 even more than I did the first time. I believe these mods are all "legal" builds. These mods hugely increase the playability of the model. It now includes:

* Full independent simultanious controll of all the functions

* Joystick-controller that works just like a real excavator. Based on a desigh by Jason Railton

* 8878 Rechargeable battery

* XL-motor for lifting boom

* PF-lights

* Improved bucket looks and operation

* Improved Dipper range

* All the gear-reduction moved to the undercarriage

* Cabin roof

This time I made full (photo-) instructions so everyone can turn their 8043 into a properly working mean digging machine.

Hello Mr. Jurgen Krooshoop,

I wanted to thank-you for all your hard work (but we all know you enjoyed making the mods to make this 8043 much better than Lego designed!)

I'm a "excavator lover" and several years ago I studied all Jennifer Clarks' pictures and then gathered parts to build these fantastic machines. I still have them assembled (and will never take them apart!), I'll post pictures when I have built your "Ultimate 8043", with all my other excavators, dump trucks, and bulldozers.

I'm beginning to run out of room to display my models, so I build to enjoy and of course play with, then some of the Lego models get dis-assembled and stored for a rainy days' build later.

Thanks again from this 58 year old AFOL, I look forward to building your version soon (I purchased two, so I could build the "B" model also)

Kindest Regards, Stephen

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

As you can read here, TLG has started to take back faulty 8043-sets. It makes me feel really sad, cause it's such a nice model, especially the way it is now...

Edited August 18, 2010 by Jurgen Krooshoop

[Jetro]

A guy can't even go on a holiday for a couple of days...

Great MOD! I'm not even at all sure I'll actually build the original model after seeing this.

[Fyredog]

I have a sealed in box 8043....I can feel the value going through the roof ! even with all the problems people are having, I feel it it still an incredible set - I will cherish mine and my sealed set! - Unless someone wants it more than I do $$$$

[rjk1977]

Very nice mods! ! ! !

I have the set new in the box , i will use these mods once i have bought the batterybox , but i need to save for it.

When its done i will let you know.

P.s I'm thinking to build a telescopic mobile crane which can expand to about 2,5 meters. do you have any idea's for the lifting boom???

I want to use 3 extanding parts.

[moebiusfactor]

This is great, wonderful work!

But now, the question is, you've done so much with this model- perfected it pretty much- and much of the negative discussion surrounding 8043 is its LAs. Clearly, Jurgen used the same LAs and they don't seem to have any problems. Odd.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

This is great, wonderful work!

But now, the question is, you've done so much with this model- perfected it pretty much- and much of the negative discussion surrounding 8043 is its LAs. Clearly, Jurgen used the same LAs and they don't seem to have any problems. Odd.

IMO opinion it's the combination of LA's lifting a "heavy" boom and the underpowered M-motor. If TLG would produce new & better LA's, this MOD would undoubtably function even better with those.

[Routemaster]

Finally I was able to pick up a 8043 in a TRU. After thinking about what to do with this set

(to wait for the already pre-ordered Service Pack from LEGO) I decided to start building Jurgen's entire modification of this set. And I know I did it right.

Many thanks to Jurgen for everthing he did to bring us the instructions for a really working 8043.

Awesome job!

Lifting and lowering the large arm works excellent with this mod and is definitely not longer a problem of this set.

The probs I still have is a rattling sound from inside the two upper LA's.

I'll still try another LA swap or have to wait to get the replacement LA's from Lego in the Service Pack.

Also, the Excavator has the right speed, the drive itself is very jerky and could be smoother.

Now I just hope for a mid-size bucket in one of 2011 Technic Sets.

Thanks again to Jurgen. WTG!

Great to have such awesome people in an awesome forum like EUROBRICKS. :thumbup:

Ralph

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

If you mean the Main-boom LA's give a rattling sound when they reach their end, that means you hit the built-in cluth of the LA. This sounds horrible, but it's safe. This is the safety-system that's built into the LA and all LA's will have it. And this is nothing to worry about.

Have fun with your excavator

[Routemaster]

If you mean the Main-boom LA's give a rattling sound when they reach their end, that means you hit the built-in cluth of the LA. This sounds horrible, but it's safe. This is the safety-system that's built into the LA and all LA's will have it. And this is nothing to worry about.

Have fun with your excavator

The two LA's for the main boom work perfect.

I'm talking about the rattling sound of the LA's for the dipper and bucket, but only when the LA's extend.

When they retract they sound ok.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Ok, then it's not the internal LA-clutch. When they make that sound while extending, then it can be usefull to try another LA. It is weird that they're only making that sound while extending and not while retracting.

[Routemaster]

Swapped both LA's today (bucket and dipper) and it seems both included LA's from the 8043 set are not really problem-free.

At least with the swapped LA's from my 8265 Wheel Loader it works definitely better.

No rattling sound anymore from the inside of the LA.

Maybe it is interestingly for some of you:

The inprint on the noisy LA's I swapped have "12x0", the way better running older ones say "09x9".

You can see the inprint below the orange cross-axle input of the LA.

Ralph

[DLuders]

@ Routemaster: I looked at the numbers imprinted on some spare Linear Actuators that I bought on Bricklink 1-1/2 years ago, and they have different numbers than the ones you have. Two of mine say 25X8, and one says 12x8. I don't know if there is a definitive way (so far) of know which Linear Actuators are "BAD" and which ones are "OK", just by their numbers. Hopefully, some unsuspecting folks won't buy "BAD" Linear Actuators off of Bricklink.

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

Weird ... I checked the numbers of 6 of my LA's and they all have different number. And I guess I was lucky with the LA's in my 8043-set, cause they all work as expected.

[rjk1977]

Today i build your mods in my 8043 they are working great and more fun to operate.

Many thanks for it.

I'm on the list at Lego's for new LA's , i askes if they make them the same size , the woman cannot tell me if they are the same.

I hope it is , it's easier to bield in.

Edited October 27, 2010 by rjk1977

[Fyredog]

Jurgen - Great Job - You did a wonderful sweet magnificent job on your modification!

[Sammi]

I would really love to build this, i downloaded the instructions, I have the set but have not built it waiting for my new LA's from TLG.

I have ordered the XL motor, PF Lights, IR Reciever, M Mtor, IR Controller; however, I was wondering if u have a list for all other parts as i'd like to purchase them so i can build it, i really dont have tuns of spares and i looked and im sure i dont most of the pieces required.

If you do have a parts list or anyone does could you please send me a link of them.

Thank you in advance

[hoeij]

I would really love to build this, i downloaded the instructions, I have the set but have not built it waiting for my new LA's from TLG.

I have ordered the XL motor, PF Lights, IR Reciever, M Mtor, IR Controller; however, I was wondering if u have a list for all other parts as i'd like to purchase them so i can build it, i really dont have tuns of spares and i looked and im sure i dont most of the pieces required.

If you do have a parts list or anyone does could you please send me a link of them.

Thank you in advance

I think that once you receive the new LA's, you'll be able to lift the arm with an M-motor, you won't really need an XL motor anymore.

[jantjeuh]

I would really love to build this, i downloaded the instructions, I have the set but have not built it waiting for my new LA's from TLG.

I have ordered the XL motor, PF Lights, IR Reciever, M Mtor, IR Controller; however, I was wondering if u have a list for all other parts as i'd like to purchase them so i can build it, i really dont have tuns of spares and i looked and im sure i dont most of the pieces required.

If you do have a parts list or anyone does could you please send me a link of them.

Thank you in advance

Bump because I have the exact same problem :) Anyone have a full list of the extra parts required? I'm planning on buying the (improved) 8043 soon, and it will be my first Technic set.

Edited October 19, 2010 by jantjeuh

[Jurgen Krooshoop]

I'm thinking of making a list of the required parts. But it requires me to build the original 8043 and then my modified version again, so it will take some time to complete. A number of parts were already used in a new moc, so I'da have to disasseble that as well.

So please give me some time...

Edited October 19, 2010 by Jurgen Krooshoop

[jantjeuh]

I'm thinking of making a list of the required parts. But it requires me to build the original 8043 and then my modified version again, so it will take some time to complete. A number of parts were already used in a new moc, so I'da have to disasseble that as well.

So please give me some time...

Thanks, I appreciate it :) I've taken a look at your other MOCs by the way, and they look really good! I feel like building all of them, but I first need to buy some sets to get parts :)

Edited October 21, 2010 by jantjeuh