[MOC] Terex RH400 Mining Excavator (Obsolete)

[sheo]

I've updated the complete instructions file.

By the way, the method I use to export from LPub is to export all the pages to PNG images. Then I use Acrobat to combine them all into a PDF. This seems to generally result in a smaller, higher quality file than if you export to PDF directly.

I use this method too, but my files are getting bigger and bigger. Image resizing has always been my weak point.

I am also working on a good way to join the top to the base. If building scratch, the best thing to do is build the base first and then build the superstructure on top of it. However, this is a bit hard to do. It is easier to build them separate, but then they must be combined. I looked at whether or not a coupler could be used to join two shorter axles going through the turntable, but it won't work. It would be very dangerous to leave the 12L protruding axle out of the upper part because the end of it goes into a 16 tooth gear deep inside the model. If that axle were to get pulled out, the gear could fall out of place and could not be recovered. On the other hand, the same axle going into the base only needs to pass through a worm gear. So I think I will leave the axle in the top part, and I will insert a short axle through the bottom of the base to hold the worm gear in place. When I join the top and base together, I will use the 12L axle from the top to push out the axle through the worm gear in the bottom. I think it will work. I hope that made sense!

Of course, building the top and bottom separate also requires that the turntable be separated.

That's the right way to build it.

This happened because you used

!LPUB PART BEGIN IGN

before you inserted the track submodel. I think you did this because you did not want the tracks to appear as a callout or on a separate page. The way to solve this is to copy the tracks out of the submodel and insert them directly into the main model. Then you will get the 48x in the parts list.

You're right at every point. I will try to correct this later. Luckily, the excavator has only 2 tracks, so the required number of parts for each of them is easy to calculate.

Edited August 26, 2014 by sheo

[kamsohal]

ok i got it thanks sheo.looks like got to order some more tracks.has anyone made it in any other colour??

[sheo]

I've moved separate instructions for the base to BrickSafe.

[Blakbird]

I've moved separate instructions for the base to BrickSafe.

I'll delete the versions I have on my Bricksafe so people will go only to your master files.

I built the base last night and thought I would share my experience. Here is the pile of 1000+ parts just for the carrier. The completed superstructure sits in the background on it's homemade stand.

Here is the core of the base. You can see that I had to use red 3x11 curved panels because I didn't have any black ones. I had intended to use the older style panels which I do have in black, but I can confirm that they won't work. The design uses all those holes as structure so they are needed. Furthermore, the parts cannot be changed back to black later without completely disassembling the unit. They are locked in solid. Red is not ideal, but I think it looks OK. As usual, you can see how firmly Sheo locks every single part. This thing is very solid.

A view from the bottom. The 1x1 plate you see holds in the central axle that will pass up into the superstructure. I removed this plate to allow the axle to protrude when I was working on the assembly upside down so it could sit flat on the table on the turntable. You can see the two diffs which form the subtractor. The XL motor drives a worm gear through a pair of 24 tooth gears into the diff ring gears. The L motor subtractor drives the other inputs, pointing up in this image. The outputs are the 16 tooth gears barely visible at bottom.

Now the "wings" are taking shape. I think it looks like Cylon technology at this point.

Here the track supports are nearly complete, seen from the bottom. Now I just need to add the road wheels and drive sprockets.

This is complete, shown from the bottom. The protruding axle will get pushed out when I attach to the superstructure. You can see the pendular road wheel bogies.

Completed base unit with tracks installed. It is very large!

This shows the method I used to attach them together. The turntable has been separated and used to build each assembly. The 12L axle is part of the superstructure. When upside down, I was then able to add the clutch gears as you can see in the picture sticking out of the turntable. The axle you see sticking out of the carrier is just there to hold the worm gear in place and will get pushed out the bottom by the 12L axle. Now I just invert the base and snap it on!

Finally, a completed model! This has been sitting on my table unfinished for a long time, so I am happy to see it done. I can't decide if I will go back and change those base panels to black, but it would be a lot of work to do so.

I'll repeat my thanks to Sheo for all the work he put into the desiging the model and preparing instructions to share with all of us. I love this model.

[legolijntje]

Any comments about how well it works? The driving and operating of the arm?

[Alasdair Ryan]

That thing looks like a beast,Sheo needs to build a large dump truck for it next.

[Blakbird]

Any comments about how well it works? The driving and operating of the arm?

Driving is very slow, but that's probably realistic. Works well enough on a hard surface. It has some trouble turning on carpet due to the drag while skid steering. Note that I am using V1 receivers so I don't know if it would be any stronger with V2.

Slewing works awesome. I am using a speed control remote for that function which I like because it allows me to accelerate and slow gradually. No need for speed control on driving because it is so slow anyway. Balance on the turntable is very good so there is very little prying.

Arm works really well. Sheo implemented the system which the real excavator uses to keep the bucket level while the arm lifts and extends, and it works perfectly. The L-motor struggles a lot to lift the boom, but it works. The other functions have plenty of power. Because the bucket tilt actuators are actually in the bucket, the drive system has to run along the whole arm through a lot of u-joints. This means this function can jam if the u-joint angle is too high. It is also important to get the orientation of the u-joint ends right so that the non-uniform rotation speed inherent in u-joints (cardan joints) is minimized.

Overall, I think it is an amazing creation. No complaints at all about the arm or base. One thing I would change about the superstructure if I could is a bit more pathways for wire routing. The other thing is that it would be nice if the batteries were removable. I've been studying that and I think it may be possible with some work. If I take them out, I will replace them with some brick-built counterweights and then power it through a tether.

[legolijntje]

I was wondering though last hour, does it need to be this complex and dense? It's hyper-complex and dense inside, but does it need to be like that? I mean, the functions are almost identical to other excavators, it is just a bit larger and looks quite different. And, other excavators from Lego Technic aren't this dense. Does it have any use?

Btw, did anyone know that Sheo has 2 other mocs with building instructions on Rebrickable? I didn't until a minute ago. He has a train and a train station. Such a world of difference

[sheo]

Thank you Blakbird for the review of the base!

I was wondering though last hour, does it need to be this complex and dense?

That's a very strange question. The best answer I can imagine is: why not?

I mean, the functions are almost identical to other excavators, it is just a bit larger and looks quite different.

I'm surprised to hear that it's too large as I tried to make it compact. Have I failed?

Edited August 27, 2014 by sheo

[legolijntje]

Don't get me wrong! I like it, I like it a lot

I just mean that the functions all fit inside the space you've used, I was wondering if it needs all the parts to brace all the functions and make them work or if t could've been simpler "with a bunch of beams here and there" and leave some air inside .

[sheo]

I just mean that the functions all fit inside the space you've used, I was wondering if it needs all the parts to brace all the functions and make them work or if t could've been simpler "with a bunch of beams here and there" and leave some air inside .

I guess you're right, it could have been simpler at a price of some enlarging, changing shape etc. However, it wouldn't be my MOC anymore!

[Blakbird]

I just mean that the functions all fit inside the space you've used, I was wondering if it needs all the parts to brace all the functions and make them work or if t could've been simpler "with a bunch of beams here and there" and leave some air inside .

I guess you're right, it could have been simpler at a price of some enlarging, changing shape etc. However, it wouldn't be my MOC anymore!

Would it have been possible to keep the same mechanical functions and the same overall shape with fewer parts and less density? Sure, probably. But as Sheo said, then it wouldn't be his MOC any more. One of the things I like about building MOCs as opposed to official sets is that different builders do things totally different ways. What makes this MOC great is not only that it is a cool shovel, but also that it is quite unlike anything else I have ever built.

[sheo]

He has a train and a train station. Such a world of difference

The next will be a spaceship!

[Mestari]

I have one question about that rare LA holder part no 61905:

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=61905

Is there any way to get aronud this? It is expensive and appears in this MOC only on rebrickable.

[sheo]

This part is used in the following assembly:

You may replace it like this:

[Mestari]

Thanks! I'll do that. Right now I'm at not impressive 76.8%, but several orders are in place, 42021, 42029 and 42030 will find their way towards me eventually and the rest will hopefully be much easier and cheaper to get. Can't wait to finally start building :)

I again recommend lego direct, it was cheaper for thin liftarms than BL.

[JDC]

So as a newcomer, I see a project like this, and am stunned by the complexity, and I wonder what it takes to create a MOC like this, and also produce a set of instructions that is 2464 pages long. I also marvel at the number of parts the creators of the projects must have on hand to say, "Hey, I think I'll build a Terex RH400."

Thank you all for taking the time, and the great effort to produce these projects, and then share them through this site, sharing the instructions, and creating the renders. Just marvelous!

[jantjeuh]

Well, Technic can be a very addicting hobby If you're new to all this, make sure to check out Rebrickable for other awesome MOCs (upload your parts list and see what you can build!).

I have 100% of the parts now by the way (finally got 10 x 15100), but no time yet to build this beauty I want to borrow some of Blakbird's.

Edited August 28, 2014 by jantjeuh

[JDC]

Well, Technic can be a very addicting hobby If you're new to all this, make sure to check out Rebrickable for other awesome MOCs (upload your parts list and see what you can build!).

I have 100% of the parts now by the way (finally got 10 x 15100), but no time yet to build this beauty I want to borrow some of Blakbird's.

If you want to send them all to me, I'll let you know how the build went...

[jantjeuh]

Send to the USA? You can come pick them up

[JDC]

Love to. Hope to visit someday.

[SilenWin]

First of all, Sheo, I think that your MOC is most impressive thing that I ever seen =)

It was extremely interesting and somewhat difficult to build this model, and I should mention that I have never seen such a tight assembly.

Great work!

Here is my version with some different colors:

P.S. How do you think it will be looking with this color scheme?

[kamsohal]

black n yellow looks much better

[sheo]

Thanks for sharing your photos, SilenWin!

White is one of the 'natural' colors for Terex RH400, so that I like the idea of using it. However, I think that the number of colors used in the superstructure and the arm should be minimized. Black and red bucket looks very interesting!

The yellow version looks closer to Cat 6090! :D

Edited September 6, 2014 by sheo

[SilenWin]

However, I think that the number of colors used in the superstructure and the arm should be minimized. Black and red bucket looks very interesting!

The yellow version looks closer to Cat 6090! :D

About colors - Rebrickable shows that I had only 65% parts needed to build it with similar colors and 82% if we ignore color matching. So I used to replace some parts that I don't have and use some different solutions. Most difficult to replace was 15100 , 10197 and 44809 connectors. Also I had a only a few thin liftarms and LBG parts at all. So that was a tricky build for me =)

Now I try to make black-yellow version, hope it will be more impressive =/