Remote Controlled - LEGO® Power Functions
Truck with Lowloader
Detachable lowloaders are used to transport heavy construction vehicles by road, with powerful trucks.
These trucks are optimized for heavy duty purpose (engine, multiple axles, extra fuel tanks) and operated by specialized companies as Brouwer, Mammoet/Seumeren, van der Vlist to name a view in The Netherlands.
The model is designed to load the following cargo: LEGO® Bulldozer (#8275) and Excavator (#8043), as well as my own designed models: Prinoth Leitwolf snow groomer and Articulated Hauler 6x6. As such, the gooseneck can handle a load of max. 3kg's.
The truck is remote controlled, but can be switched easily into manual operation (steering, driving) by 'shifting gears' on the model.
The main design challenge appeared the stiffness and the pneumatic lifting construction of the lowloader deck.
These trucks are optimized for heavy duty purpose (engine, multiple axles, extra fuel tanks) and operated by specialized companies as Brouwer, Mammoet/Seumeren, van der Vlist to name a view in The Netherlands.
The model is designed to load the following cargo: LEGO® Bulldozer (#8275) and Excavator (#8043), as well as my own designed models: Prinoth Leitwolf snow groomer and Articulated Hauler 6x6. As such, the gooseneck can handle a load of max. 3kg's.
The truck is remote controlled, but can be switched easily into manual operation (steering, driving) by 'shifting gears' on the model.
The main design challenge appeared the stiffness and the pneumatic lifting construction of the lowloader deck.
Functions
Remote Controlled
LEGO Power Functions
Driving
Steering
LED head lights
Driving
Steering
LED head lights
Technical
Working V8 engine
Cooling fan
Double differentials
Pneumatic gooseneck lock
Pneumatic lowloader lifting
Pendular lowloader deck
Cooling fan
Double differentials
Pneumatic gooseneck lock
Pneumatic lowloader lifting
Pendular lowloader deck
Manual
Cabin door open & close
Cabin tilt to access engine
Lowloader deck extension
Cabin tilt to access engine
Lowloader deck extension
Specifications
Dimensions
Truck
Length - 45 cm
Width - 14,5 cm
Height - 21 cm
Weight - ~2,3 kg
Lowloader
Length - 102 cm
Width - 16 cm
Height - 16 cm
Weight - ~2,4 kg
Cargo load - 3 kg max
Cargo length - 42 cm max
Ground clearance - 1,5 cm
Length - 45 cm
Width - 14,5 cm
Height - 21 cm
Weight - ~2,3 kg
Lowloader
Length - 102 cm
Width - 16 cm
Height - 16 cm
Weight - ~2,4 kg
Cargo load - 3 kg max
Cargo length - 42 cm max
Ground clearance - 1,5 cm
Parts
Truck - 2.052
Lowloader - 1.711
Lowloader - 1.711
Building Info
Photo - Video shoot: Construct roundabout (exit highway A2) at Vinkeveen, The Netherlands
Front lights
Switching to manual
Volvo Wheel loader #42030
Excavator #8043
Pneumatic system
support with struts
support with struts
Deck width extension
Development process
Truck
A single XL-motor is used to power both rear twin wheels; geared-down in 2 stages by using twin gears on every axle to prevent gear damages. The XL-motor is pretty well able to drive the total combination, including a cargo load of 3 kg. However, my strong recommendation is to use only the 8879 'IR speed remote control' unit due to it's ability to control the speed of the XL-motor in multiple steps. A technic turntable is used for the 5th wheel, together with a static connection to the gooseneck (i.e. decoupling the gooseneck means removal of an axle-10 which can be easily done). The reason for this construction is to assure a smooth ability for the total combination to turn curves, as well to make sure that a detached gooseneck will stay connected properly to the truck.
Gooseneck
The detachable gooseneck is able to handle a cargo load of 3 kg ! First, I considered the new (in 2009) Linear Actuators, but I experienced pneumatic cylinders having more advantages (appearance, necessary space, no difficult gearing system, force). Disadvantage is not being able to couple/decouple the gooseneck remotely. Not an issue, as manual assistance is needed anyway to mount the gooseneck firmly to the deck by applying so-called 'locking bars' = axle's pushed through the technic holes in the deck and gooseneck.
The gooseneck has 2 independent pneumatic circuits. One for lifting the deck, and one for supporting the gooseneck on the truck's chassis when decoupled. The truck has an gooseneck 'auto-center' function; as such the gooseneck will center and locks when lifted. The deck is lifted by 3 pneumatic cylinders in parallel and holds ~ 2 bar / 30 psi of air pressure when lifted with 3 kg cargo.
Lowloader
As seen on the pictures, the lowloader is mostly build with the traditional studded bricks. Especially the deck is fully based on bricks, because bricks provide a much more stiff construction compared to studless beams. It took some development time to discover the optimal balance between deck stiffness and minimal deck height with an acceptable ramp angle. The outcome is a deck being able to load cargo with a minimum ground clearance of ~1,5 cm, with an acceptable sag of the deck when loaded with cargo.
The deck is mounted precisely in the middle of the 3-axle assembly, which has a pendular suspension mechanism. This is necessary to prevent tipping of the 3-axle assembly when the gooseneck lowers the deck. All the axles of the assembly consists of twin-wheels. The platform height of the 3-axle assembly is very low to support the bucket of an excavator.
Expansion of the deck width is possible by mounting so-called 'deck extenders' which are stowed within the gooseneck stock area. These deck extenders are equipped with flashlights and warning signs.
Struts
The pneumatic cylinders are continuously under air pressure when the deck is lifted. This will result in air leakage overtime, causing the deck to decrease and touching the ground in the end. As well, the life-time of the pneumatic cylinders is negatively affected when they are kept under air pressure for a long time. That's why two struts are designed. These struts can be placed at both sides of the gooseneck lifting boom when the deck is fully raised, and will carry the load when the pneumatic cylinders are carefully deflated. As such, the pneumatic cylinders are relieved from air pressure.
Note: The struts are not developed to carry the full cargo load of 3 kg's without preventing the deck to touch the ground due to sag. However, with less load (approximately max 1,5 kg), it functions correctly.
Mano meter
An additional mano meter (part 64065) can be mounted on the power unit of the truck. The gooseneck is already predefined to guide the pneumatic tube via the spare wheel to the pneumatic switches.
Truck
A single XL-motor is used to power both rear twin wheels; geared-down in 2 stages by using twin gears on every axle to prevent gear damages. The XL-motor is pretty well able to drive the total combination, including a cargo load of 3 kg. However, my strong recommendation is to use only the 8879 'IR speed remote control' unit due to it's ability to control the speed of the XL-motor in multiple steps. A technic turntable is used for the 5th wheel, together with a static connection to the gooseneck (i.e. decoupling the gooseneck means removal of an axle-10 which can be easily done). The reason for this construction is to assure a smooth ability for the total combination to turn curves, as well to make sure that a detached gooseneck will stay connected properly to the truck.
Gooseneck
The detachable gooseneck is able to handle a cargo load of 3 kg ! First, I considered the new (in 2009) Linear Actuators, but I experienced pneumatic cylinders having more advantages (appearance, necessary space, no difficult gearing system, force). Disadvantage is not being able to couple/decouple the gooseneck remotely. Not an issue, as manual assistance is needed anyway to mount the gooseneck firmly to the deck by applying so-called 'locking bars' = axle's pushed through the technic holes in the deck and gooseneck.
The gooseneck has 2 independent pneumatic circuits. One for lifting the deck, and one for supporting the gooseneck on the truck's chassis when decoupled. The truck has an gooseneck 'auto-center' function; as such the gooseneck will center and locks when lifted. The deck is lifted by 3 pneumatic cylinders in parallel and holds ~ 2 bar / 30 psi of air pressure when lifted with 3 kg cargo.
Lowloader
As seen on the pictures, the lowloader is mostly build with the traditional studded bricks. Especially the deck is fully based on bricks, because bricks provide a much more stiff construction compared to studless beams. It took some development time to discover the optimal balance between deck stiffness and minimal deck height with an acceptable ramp angle. The outcome is a deck being able to load cargo with a minimum ground clearance of ~1,5 cm, with an acceptable sag of the deck when loaded with cargo.
The deck is mounted precisely in the middle of the 3-axle assembly, which has a pendular suspension mechanism. This is necessary to prevent tipping of the 3-axle assembly when the gooseneck lowers the deck. All the axles of the assembly consists of twin-wheels. The platform height of the 3-axle assembly is very low to support the bucket of an excavator.
Expansion of the deck width is possible by mounting so-called 'deck extenders' which are stowed within the gooseneck stock area. These deck extenders are equipped with flashlights and warning signs.
Struts
The pneumatic cylinders are continuously under air pressure when the deck is lifted. This will result in air leakage overtime, causing the deck to decrease and touching the ground in the end. As well, the life-time of the pneumatic cylinders is negatively affected when they are kept under air pressure for a long time. That's why two struts are designed. These struts can be placed at both sides of the gooseneck lifting boom when the deck is fully raised, and will carry the load when the pneumatic cylinders are carefully deflated. As such, the pneumatic cylinders are relieved from air pressure.
Note: The struts are not developed to carry the full cargo load of 3 kg's without preventing the deck to touch the ground due to sag. However, with less load (approximately max 1,5 kg), it functions correctly.
Mano meter
An additional mano meter (part 64065) can be mounted on the power unit of the truck. The gooseneck is already predefined to guide the pneumatic tube via the spare wheel to the pneumatic switches.
