MOC: Backhoe Loader, 42054 C model
Overview
Presenting my latest model: a C model of set 42054. It is inspired by the JCB 5CX loader, but it is a bit different from a regular backhoe: instead of 2 buckets, the model has 1 grabber and 1 drill attachment. This is not entirely unrealistic (backhoes usually have 1 of these attachment, like this one) so long story short I was able to get around the lack of buckets in the set. Here is a picture:
The backhoe features 7 functions: 4 manual and 3 controlled by multi directional gearboxes hooked up to the M motor. The manual functions are opening the grabber, changing (and maintaining) the orientation of the grabber, the second stage of the rear arm, Hand of God steering (controlled by the white exhaust on the hood). The motorized functions are the lifting of the front grabber via 2 linear actuators, the rotation of the arm and the lowering and lifting of the rear arm 1st stage. These functions can be observed in action in the video (click the word video).
Building process
The building of this MOC was spread over a month. It started with the gearbox and the HoG steering, whose actuation was originally located at the rear of the loader. The gearbox uses 3 driving rings and 6 red clutch gears to control 3 functions., which you can see in the picture below (well, sort of).
I then went immediately to finish the front, but little did I know I would spend hours rebuilding it after it was done, changing the grabber orientation mechanism, the arm's construction, and the entirety of the hood. Here is what I am talking about:
Above is attempt 1 at the front. Total failure; the whole thing looks weird and squashed up. The grabber orientation is more or less useless. After a few non-documented attempts, the hood now looks a lot better. The grabber orientation has yet to be changed.
I then went right on to the rear of the backhoe, the other major area of construction. 2 motorized functions would be going there, namely the arm lifting and the arm rotation. Here is the first gear and arm layout (2 pictures). At the same time, fenders and ladders were added:
Needless to say, the arm really did not work. It was unstable, didn't have good range of rotation, and was ready to fall off since there was no easy way to secure it to the chassis. So, I rebuilt it all:
That's much better. Now I could focus back on the front, where the orientation mechanism was changed to have links running to the grabber which kept it either level, or another pitch based on the operator. It could also be locked to prevent gravity from running the show.
Finally, there were no hurdles left. Everything was smooth sailing from here, so adding the roof, interior, and finishing the arm were quick and easy tasks.
And thus, the building process was concluded.
This brings us to the final model, for which there is a video which you can check out by clicking the link at the top of the post (if I added a link here it would seem desperate on my part). I had a lot of fun building ti and I hope you enjoyed the model and reading this post! Instruction will be available; check the Instructions tab to see if they are there.
Talk to you soon!
BrickbyBrick
