I has new been more than two years since I posted the first Model Team MAN TGS Cement Truck. Back then it was a GBC module where the function only works when put into a GBC circuit as shown in

. Now the barrel has a normal function as one would expect a toy to have.

Here is how this new model works:

The Power Functions receiver is on the side. You can see how I have no problem controlling it in the video, so the reception is good. It is also easy to change channels and batteries.

You fill the barrel by making it rotate toward the cabin and insert stuff from the top of the funnel. The ladder on the side extends to gain access to the funnel and you can turn and extend the slide in the back. The extenders for the slide are located on top of the rear wheels just like on a real cement truck.

This time I have focused on making the model sturdy. You can see how the steps under the front doors are relatively strong and how the fuel tank is built fron Technic elements. The fuel tank actually looks more realistic on this model than the old one because of the rounded corners. The doors open like on most of my Model Team models.

The frame is a 100% modern liftarm construction, which makes it lightweight and less rigid. This is great for traction when wheels have no moving suspension.

Normal differentials are used. I have sandwiched the drive mechanism between 5x7 frames as this allows for a very robust construction and the axles are held using 5.5L crossaxles which makes them stay in place. The drive motor (Power Functions L motor) is connected to a switch which engages the M-motor turning the barrel. This way you can control the barrel independently from the driving function.

Inside the cabin there is the normal interior with a dahsboard, steering wheel and seats.

Are you still with me? Then let's see how it compares to the old model!

In the front you can see how much the "MAN" letters do for the overall looks. The steps are more realistic on the old model, but they were so fragile that I had to fix them every time I moved the damn model. In order not to repeat any former mistakes I designed the new truck without looking at the old one, so it's interesting to see how many detail that are similar. The doors are now more flush to the cabin, the door handles can be used to open the doors and the front doesn't have odd bumps and grooves which the old one needed in order to support the GBC functionality.

Moving on to the back you can see how I located the receiver in the old model. The problem with this location was that it required extension wires and didn't allow for as strong a construction as seen in the new model. The old model had the single advantage of having PF-lights in the back, but it resulted in a very messy cabel nightmare inside the frame (as can be seen with the stack of connectors on the let side as seen in the next picture).

Here is a good comparison of the two barrel designs. The old design was drawn by hand where I traced lines and tried to guess how thick they should be. The new design is 100% computer designed. Refer to page 9 of my WIP thread if you want to see how I designed the new barrel.

Underneath the old model you can see where old style Technic construction meets the new style liftarm construction. There was only 2 wheel drive, so the rear axle had to be suspended in order not to loose too much traction. I couldn't fit a differential in there either. The steering mechanism was located very low in order to make room for the GBC functionality.

My Model Team gallery on Brickshelf.

Not one, but two great model's.

Stunning looking cement trucks

Great to see the progression from the older model to the new one. I am always impressed with you manage to fit in all the functions.

tim

Amazing trucks!

I love it!

Good work, they are really great looking!

Great trucks. I ilke the work you've done on the underside and the barrell is very clever.

H

Excellent looking trucks.

I love those barrels. I've been tempted to do some cementtruck myself, but I never figured out a way to do a decent barrel in technic. You may have persuaded me into the modelteam world...

These are both amazing, well done.

Beautiful trucks. Great job fitting it all in. :thumbup:

Just wow again :thumbup: .

Nice work on the new cement truck

I like the steering on the new model.

Great model. Looks very realistic and it seems you've everything well thought out. Very cool work!

Also congrats on your blog: http://thelegocarblo...1/truck-triple/

Thanks everyone. I have looked into the various parts of this build and I estimate there being 1500 to 2000 bricks. It will take me roughly 2 weeks to make building instructions for it, so it should be doable. It took me so long to construct the truck that I actually had an early version of the frame with me to the Eurobricks event in the beginning of this year!

Very nice!! Both of them!

I really like the barrels, I can't build that :) Need to check your WIP

Nice work on both functions and looks. This version is an improvement in every way. I would love to see instructions, for some reason I can't comment on Youtube.

I was surprised with the receiver, being able to still work well no matter which side of the truck was turned to you.

Yeah, the receiver works really when when the batteries are charged, but the reception deteriorates considerably when they are at half charge or lower.

I have started constructing the model in MLCad and will take a screenshot every hour. Here is the result of 1 hour of work.

You can clearly see how the steering works here. The Servo motor turns the gray "liftarm 2 with crossaxle hole" to pulle the "liftarm 7" so that the steering racks move: The front moves a little more than the rear one.

That is a clever idea for the steering.

Thanks. It took ages to figure out which parts to use in order to minimize sway, but these seemed to do the job best without adding too much friction for the servo motor to struggle against.

Here is the result after two hours. I'm still working on the frame. You can see how the L-motor connects to the switch in order to make that third function work.

Another hour has passed and I have moved my focus to the cabin. It took a full hour just to make this:

Those seats don't look to comfy with that jumper plate at the top of the seat.

Those seats don't look to comfy with that jumper plate at the top of the seat.

Wouldn't be too bad though if it was turned through 90 degrees. Would make a nice headrest.

It must be getting late. I don't recall using jumpers for the seats at all! :-D

The seats are modelled after the ones I have photo referenced, and I have tried a new way to add the headrests using 1x2 plates with clips in order to make them appear fat and plushy.

This is the current progress after 4 hours where I have started adding the mechanism for the tumbler.

And that will be all for today. I hope there will be a couple of hours free tomorrow morning as well.

These are pretty cool! I built two of those as well, many years ago. I can remember I was one of the first building one (it was back in 2000). Still on my to do list again because it's fun building. And I like the functionality of your's!