[MOC] Ropa EuroTiger 8V-4 XL Sugarbeet Harvester

[dhc6twinotter]

This is a really impressive moc! You have an amazing amount of functions on this, and I love the complexity of the head. It's great to get so much recognition from Ropa as well! What an honor.

I do have one question: Is the rear steering controlled independently from the front steering?

[Kumbbl]

One of the best MOCs ever Seen ..

This MOC earns the high score in all criterias, ie. Realism, part count (i assume), functions, design, look...

If instructions would be made i'm quite sure i would spend all the money needed for the parts to build it... Regardsless how much money...

[BondemandClausen]

Great moc! I was wondering why is the 3rd axle 94.4 x 44R on PP rims?

Thanks for your nice comment.

Well the wheels is a chapter of its own. During the process of building and devolping, the MOC became heavier and heavier. At some point SO heavy, that the PP Tires slided of the the rims, when taking tight turns. They also flattened out so much it hardly couldn't turn, because of the great friction they hard. So what to do? Pump them up with air?: not possible, would take a valve in the rim, and then i wouldnt even be sure if it worked..! Buy non Lego wheels, or tires?: Not an option for me i guess ;-). Fill up the tires with rubber foam? Not Ideal, but possible!

So I figured that out that maybe a 94.4 x 44R tire could fit inside the PP tire. With some efford, I managed to mount the PP upon the 94.4 x 44R, and it really made the soft PP a lot harder, as if it was inflated with air.

And now to your question. The reason i have used a PP rim for 94.4 x 44R tires, is to make them wider, similar to the pp tires. They are of course not as wide as PP, but it looked more real, and then the rims where silver coloured the same all over the MOC. And now another trick. Inside the 94.4 x 44R, there is a 81.6 x 38 R Balloon. It was a hard Job, and gave some sore fingers.

This is a really impressive moc! You have an amazing amount of functions on this, and I love the complexity of the head. It's great to get so much recognition from Ropa as well! What an honor.

I do have one question: Is the rear steering controlled independently from the front steering?

Thanks, and yes i am very honored, they took my MOC so well.

Yes the to rear axles have independent steering from the articulated steering in front. They are powered by a servo, controlled IR by a speed controller, so they can steer in steps.

This all made so that it can dogwalk, at both sides, and also steer opposite, and take narrow turns.

I have thought about letting it be controlled by a mindstorm, but i really, don't know where to put it.

This is such an amazing vehicle in lego.

Can you tell us a bit about the building process?

Took a long time?

I think it's really awesome that all those functions fit in there and work really good as well.

Thanks :-)

Yes i took a while to build it. Exactly how long, i don't know, but I mostly build in the wintertime, where there is not so much work to do for me at my farm.

The idea of building this MOC, had grown on me for several years, and in the winter 2010 i started.

I had the idea that all the PF motors had to be placed in the back, as on the real one. Then drive shafts should have run through the machine to the front. After having build a big "block" with motors and gears, i soon realized that friction and backlash would be a problem. So I turned the idea around, and started placing the motors as close to the things I wanted to them to turn, as possible. Just like hydraulic motors, on the real one. The real one is driven by huge hydraulic motors, who gets their power from several hydraulic pumps, then again powered by a big V8 Mercedes engine with 598 horse powers ( 440 kw).

I have had many problems in the process, mostly caused by the weight, that grew, the more I added to the MOC. I had to part the MOC up in the different pieces, and then build them together. I can name some of them:

• The articulated steering, and the whole mechanics behind, that also turns the front axle a bit.

• The two rear axles......which I have changed at least 10 times...

• The conveyor belt that goes around the belly of the machine

• The conveyor belt in the tank

• The unloading belt

• The lifting unit.... actually the part I think was the easiest, and fastest to build

• The Cleaning unit

• The Cabin, which was the last part i build

• and even more....

It is not easy to take it apart, to fix something, but it can be done if necessary.

Regarding the numbers of functions, I think I have reached the maximum because unfortunately the IR system, only gives opportunity to handle 8 functions. And I still need TLG to make an PF controlled pneumatic valve, in a size that is considerably smaller than the one I have made with a servo, and a conventionel pneumatic valve.

In this link you can see how the MOC developed. Unfortunately i dont have any pics from the early stages.

http://upload.bricks...ry.cgi?f=531147

One of the best MOCs ever Seen ..

This MOC earns the high score in all criterias, ie. Realism, part count (i assume), functions, design, look...

If instructions would be made i'm quite sure i would spend all the money needed for the parts to build it... Regardsless how much money...

Thanks for the fine words

My objective was the whole time, to make it as close to the original, and to have so many functions as possibly.

Regarding the instructions, I can't promise that I will make one. But I am trying to rebuild it in SR 3D, but so far I have only made the front axle, after hours of building. The main reason, is to make a part count, because I have no idea how many I have used to build it.

I hope these answers are informative enough, but feel free to ask if you are puzzled about functions, or something else.

Kindly Bondemand Clausen

[clarkdef]

You see some impressive creations but this! 8kg of pure awesome, very impressive.

[Lennertlego]

bondemand clausen , I'm 13 years old and am very good at engineering ,you can make a list of all the pieces including its name + how many pieces of each need and then send it to the email address: lennert@wuite.eu so I can make after the beet harvester?

[BachAddict]

bondemand clausen , I'm 13 years old and am very good at engineering ,you can make a list of all the pieces including its name + how many pieces of each need and then send it to the email address: lennert@wuite.eu so I can make after the beet harvester?

He cannot. Such a list will not exist unless he finishes the digital model, and if he does that he will post it here rather than emailing it to people.

[DrJB]

I stumbled upon this on youtube ... fascinating, as complex as the real thing.

[Alfadas]

I am not a big fan of Technics, but this looks amazing!!!

Edit: 500th post, I am a knight

Edited November 18, 2013 by jeroenaa

[zux]

FYI, here is an original thread for this MOC

[D3K]

Granted, the forum's search function is not ideal, but this one you would have found pretty easily

[Jim]

I have merged the topics.

[BondemandClausen]

Hello Guys.

A little update from the Technic building farmer Bondemand Clausen, and his Ropa euroTiger.

I had the great opportunity to recieve 3 Sbricks and install it in my Ropa.

The fantastic Sbrick Team even developed a custom made profile for Ipad/Iphone. I had a Mini Ipad, and that fitted perfectly to all the functions i wanted to have.

So the Ropa not only had the Sbricks, but having 3 Sbricks gave 4 more channels make functions RC, so the manual Pneumatic functions are now RC, and i didn't need to have a mechanial solution for the warn blinkers, that is all solved by the Sbricks.

It is amazingly easy to install and configure, but you have to get used to using the Mini Ipad, since you cannot feel the levers and buttons, as on the IR controllers.

I have made a little video, from when i attended the LEGO Fan Weekend 2014, last weekend from the 26. to 28. of september.

It is not very long, but i hope you enjoy it anyway.

Edited October 4, 2014 by BondemandClausen

[Amauridimaia]

Hello, theres any instructions for this moc?

[Dafgek81]

What kind off batteries are used, I recall something over lithium ion batteries?

What kind are good?

I live in Holland, so Ihave to get a brand off rechargable ones that are sold here.

[BondemandClausen]

Hello, theres any instructions for this moc?

I am sorry to disappoint you, but there isn't, and there won't be. I have decided after long consideration, that i will not publish an instruction, because i feel strongly about my MOC, due to all the hours i have spent on it. I like the idea of my MOC being Unique.

What kind off batteries are used, I recall something over lithium ion batteries?

What kind are good?

I live in Holland, so Ihave to get a brand off rechargable ones that are sold here.

I use non rechargeable Lithium batteries from Energizer. They are called "Ultimate Lithium".

http://www.energizer...tteries/lithium

I believe you should be able to find them in Holland as well.

In a LEGO batterybox with 6 AA batteries the start current are up to 10,8 V. My experience is that they last at least 4-5 times longer than Alkaline batteries, and provide more power all the time. They cost more to buy, but considering the longer durability, and better performance i prefer them any time.

I haven't tried rechargeable Lithium batteries, so i can't comment on them.

[DrJB]

... I like the idea of my MOC being Unique ...

Not to twist your arm but, in this modern day and age, if any one wanted seriously to replicate your MOC, we would have seen pics/attempts already. Also, have you ever built a MOC by someone else? I have, many, and I now have more respect to the ingeniousness of those MOCers. If anything at all, people copying YOUR MOC should give you pride. That will not take anything away from you, on the contrary. In any event, while I do not agree with your position, I do respect it. It is YOUR design and you're entitled to keeping it 'unique'. Cheers.

Edited January 31, 2015 by DrJB

[BondemandClausen]

Not to twist your arm but, in this modern day and age, if any one wanted seriously to replicate your MOC, we would have seen pics/attempts already.Also, have you ever built a MOC by someone else? I have, many, and I now have more respect to the ingeniousness of those MOCers. If anything at all, people copying YOUR MOC should give you pride. That will not take anything away from you, on the contrary. In any event, while I do not agree with your position, I do respect it. It is YOUR design and you're entitled to keeping it 'unique'. Cheers.

I really appreciate your comment DrJB!

I can tell you that i have seen one attempt of copying my MOC, a LDD screenshot, sent to my facebook account.

And first I was full of pride and joy, but then i got a bit suspicious. The guy wanted some technical information, so that he could finish the LDD. I replied to him that he could sent me the files, and i would finish up the drawing, and told him that he could build it, but I owned the rights to the drawings. I never heard from him again. I didn't wanted to give away my ideas, for him to maybe make money on it. If he wanted to build it, from what he saw on pictures and videos, i couldn't prevent him from doing so... and i am fine with that.

I am fully aware of the age we are living in, where it is most important to "share" everything with everyone, that be here, on facebook, instagram etc. And I also know i have shared lots of pics, videos and technical infos with you here..... so i almost shared everything I could.

I have had many thoughts about making an Instruction for the ROPA, due to all the requests i have recieved. First i thought why not? Well as said above, i almost have given all the details i could, but should i give them all away. then i thought WHY? Maybe to make a buck or two for myself, selling the instructions? I mean.. i have spent about 1700-2000 US Dollars on the machine, and a whole lot of time.

I have talked to Lego, just to be sure not to step on they toes, if i tried to make the Instruction Commercial... but i cannot get an clear answer on that. I have good guys who would help med to do it, because i think it takes too much time to sit and make it in LDD, when i find my time better spend on building new MOCs.

And no, i haven't build any MOCS by others, well ok, a gearbox once, but i mostly admire their pics and videos, and off course i as well get inspired and sometimes tries out techniques from others.

Again thank you for your comment, i kind of expected to get an reaction on my decision, and i appreciate that you respect it, allthough you dont agree with me.

I don't know if it will stay Unique, time will tell. :-)

[Amauridimaia]

Not to twist your arm but, in this modern day and age, if any one wanted seriously to replicate your MOC, we would have seen pics/attempts already. Also, have you ever built a MOC by someone else? I have, many, and I now have more respect to the ingeniousness of those MOCers. If anything at all, people copying YOUR MOC should give you pride. That will not take anything away from you, on the contrary. In any event, while I do not agree with your position, I do respect it. It is YOUR design and you're entitled to keeping it 'unique'. Cheers.

Thats the same say I think, but we are alone in this matter. I was opening to buy the instructions like I did in some other mocs I have at. Home because I think its fair and Its one more way to recognise the hard work someone had, but if he dont want to share I have an idea, create a group interested in doing it together.

[DrJB]

... Again thank you for your comment, i kind of expected to get an reaction on my decision, and i appreciate that you respect it, allthough you dont agree with me ...

Again, I fully respect your position and the dedication/perseverance you put in to build such a (beautiful) beast. Real sorry about the mishap with that other person, but such is life and there are always bad apples. Lastly, hopefully we get to see more awesome creations coming from you. Keep at it, and wishing you all the very best.

[TheNextLegoDesinger]

hy i always Loved that MOC but i want to see it outdoors

[BondemandClausen]

Lastly, hopefully we get to see more awesome creations coming from you. Keep at it, and wishing you all the very best.

Thanks Doc! I am working on something these days, but it will take a while before it is presentable... Big MOCs takes time ;-)

[Askan]

My grandfather was a farmer in south of Sweden (Skåne/Scania) and the sugar beets were the gold in this region. Seing this fantastic MOC brings back a lot of good memories from my childhood.

[BondemandClausen]

My grandfather was a farmer in south of Sweden (Skåne/Scania) and the sugar beets were the gold in this region. Seing this fantastic MOC brings back a lot of good memories from my childhood.

Yes Skåne is still an important sugarbeet area. Actually i think that most of the sugar produced in Skåne, is processed by the same firm as in Denmark, Nordic Sugar, owned by the german Company NordZucker, which i believe is the 3rd biggest sugar producer in Europe.

The Ropa i have build, is taking 9 rows at the time, and i know that there is one driving around in Skåne. In Denmark we settle for 6 rows ;-)

Glad my MOC took you down Memory lane :-)

Heya Sverige ;-)

[lombardini003]

I don't know if it will stay Unique, time will tell. :-)

Sounds promising!! Perhaps some of us will be able to build This masterpiece. Well done and thank you for sharing everything already.

As my son and i are currently building the great terex rh400 by sheo. Sheo has shared his building instructions with all!! Thank you very much.

[DrJB]

This MOC truly deserves to be in the Hall-Of-Fame!

@lombardini - Thank you for reviving such thread. Always refreshing to revisit and get mesmerized again by such MOC.