I wish I had more space! Can't figure out where to put my IR receivers. Original plan was to put them in the base of the crane, but I think it would stick out too far. I could maybe put them behind the cab, but that might not look very good either. Actually, I just had another idea too. We'll see.

After building my tractor and backhoe, I was excited about finally starting a moc that had some space to work with. I sure was wrong....ha. Maybe my next moc.

I was excited about finally starting a moc that had some space to work with. I sure was wrong....ha. Maybe my next moc.

In my experience this never happens. I think it's more that it's always easy to find another function to put into whatever space is there. My road train has huge amounts of space and very few functions, but somehow I managed to use almost all of it and ended up clipping one IR receiver in where I would rather have a fuel tank. The original plan of a two speed gearbox had to be modified due to lack of space...

In my experience this never happens. I think it's more that it's always easy to find another function to put into whatever space is there. My road train has huge amounts of space and very few functions, but somehow I managed to use almost all of it and ended up clipping one IR receiver in where I would rather have a fuel tank. The original plan of a two speed gearbox had to be modified due to lack of space...

I agree with you on that one. I had many plans to pack a lot of functions into my snow groomer and now that the chassis is built i am finding out that i have no room left.

tim

Is this why you have not spoken to me?

Sorry bout that

This looks absoloutely amazing cant wait to see a finished moc

Sorry I haven't been able to make much progress the last few weeks. I've been very busy, and I've only managed a few hours of lego build time.

Do you guys think one rechargeable battery would be enough to power this moc? I'm fairly certain a AA battery box would, but I'm not sure about the 7.2v rechargeable one. It would certainly be easier to fit everything. I'm pretty sure I'll be mounting the IR receivers in the front bumper, but I'm not 100% sure on that. That's my leading idea for now.

I've also been working on a more compact design for the boom/gearbox/cab synchronization mechanism. The turntable for the boom is about 4 or 5 studs too high, so I'm trying to figure out a way to lower it. There is also a small amount of backlash in my current design, which I think is caused by the worm gears sliding back and forth (they aren't quite 2 studs long) and maybe some play in the differential. I'd like to solve these issues with my new design as well.

If I had known what a challenge this project was going to be, I don't think I would have started it. I guess I say that about all my projects though. Maybe I should just build modular buildings instead.

If I had known what a challenge this project was going to be, I don't think I would have started it. I guess I say that about all my projects though. Maybe I should just build modular buildings instead.

where is the fun in that . Sorry that i cant give any advice because i do not have the battery box myself.

tim

I've had several people ask me about my progress with this project, so I thought I'd just post an update here.

I haven't worked on the project much in the past 8 months or so. Sorry. My contract at work ended back in April, and since then I haven't done much with my LEGO. I spent about a month preping my vehicle, and, on June 10th, I left for a 4 month long road trip across the United States. I spent the 4 months visiting as many National Parks as I can, and I've logged over 22,000 miles (35,400kilometers) on my vehicle. I've now moved from the east coast to the west coast, and I'm looking for work in the area. Most of my LEGO is in storage.

Before I left on my trip, I did manage to work on the forwarder a bit. I was able to build a new boom slew/gearbox/cab rotate mechanism that is about 5 studs lower. The newer design also has fewer gears and less backlash. I'm much happier with the results.

Last month I got back from a 3 week trip to the Philippines, and I had some major jet-lag. I woke up at 3:00am and started thinking about my project. Then it dawned on me....why am I using a complicated gearbox for my multiple functions?! I'm using pneumatics...why not just build a series of pneumatic valves? It would be like a pneumatic gearbox. D'oh! I felt so stupid. So, when I start working on the project again, I'll be eliminating my comlicated gearbox and replacing it with a simpler, more precise series of pneumatic valves. I'll also be rebuilding the chassis, axles, and possibly adding adjustable load stakes. Also, I'll be elimating the LAs used for steering and replacing them with pheumatic steering mechanism.

Anyways, sorry about my lack of progress with this. I haven't given up on the forwarder, but it'll be a while yet before I finish it up.

Edited December 20, 201212 yr by dhc6twinotter

Good idea with no room pneumatics are the good way, good luck with the the search.

I really get excited seeing how people can put together such machines, I cannot my brain is simple lol. It's good you have had revelations with your project!

Good idea with no room pneumatics are the good way, good luck with the the search.

Yeah, I feel stupid for not thinking of it sooner. I think it should save some space, although I will now need room for all the pneumatic valves and servo motors. I will have 7 pneumatic functions operating on 4 servo motors, with an m motor switching pneumatic valves that direct air to the functions. Similar idea to what you and I have down with our gearboxes, but this just uses pneumatic valves instead. I won't be able to complete this project untill I purchase more servo motors from LEGO. The sooner they offer these for sale, the better.

I really get excited seeing how people can put together such machines, I cannot my brain is simple lol. It's good you have had revelations with your project!

Building with LEGO is still a learning process for me. This project still has a chance of epic failure.

Looking forward to seeing this thing finished! Chassis already looks very impressive :)

Any news or updated pictures? I hope

Hey Daniel!

Any more progress on this beast? I've been looking forward to the finished product!

In the meantime I'm also wondering why LEGO Technic hasn't officially teamed up with John Deere yet! One would think, in a fury of licensing, a big John Deere 1470E harvester would make a huge splash (HINT)

*edit*

After some research, it just occurred to me that John Deere may have exclusive licensing ties with...that other company that shall remain nameless. Oh well.

Edited December 12, 201311 yr by lowlead

Hey guys,

Sorry, I haven't made any more progress on the forwarder. I haven't touched it in nearly a year. I'm still traveling and spending time on the road. I've done several back country exploration trips in CA, and I spent another 6 weeks in the Philippines. I should change my username to hobo dan or something.

I'm back in NC for the holidays, which gave me a bit of time to work on my Triple entry, but I didn't finish it in time. I would like to finish it, and I may still try to get my entry done before I fly back to CA. My LEGO is split between NC and CA, which makes building a bit more of a challenge. Once I get settled down and all my LEGO consolidated in one place, I'll try to finish up the forwarder. I would also like to build a feller buncher to work alongside my forwarder.

Waiting this long has paid off in some ways. All the green pieces from the tow truck will be very useful to have, and I think the new worm gear will work well in my forwarder.

I'm looking forward to getting back to my LEGO. I have a bunch of unfinished projects and other projects I want to work on.

[EDIT] Cleaned up the grammar a bit.

Edited December 12, 201311 yr by dhc6twinotter

Looks like an interesting project, I'll be keeping an eye on your progress! Must be a real bummer to be away from all your LEGO for such long periods of time!

I am in the same boat,two fantastic mocs coming soon but it is the time,place,motivation that is my problem.

I am looking forward to seeing your progress with this.