A Lego Technic Forwarder based on the inventory of the 42080 harvester, featured articulated steering with steerable rear axle, pneumatic arms with motorised compressor, manual grabber, rotating cabin and opening doors and hood, with building instructions.
Direct purchase of the instructions
42080 Model C – Forwarder
Context
After releasing my 42080 Model D, and after its great success, I wanted to create something different, that is why I have created the Citroen Mehari and Balance Clock. After that, I wanted to create a new model C, because of the challenge. I have searched a set which was recent and had not so many model C, and find the #42080 – Forest Harvester which was perfect : It has an interesting inventory despite the colourful design, and great possibilities with the tires and new pneumatic parts (plus zero model C at this time). I have searched many days for original ideas with this colour scheme and functions and had trouble to find other idea than forest machines, but when I saw the official Log Loader model B of the 42080, it was an evidence : I wanted to create a better forwarder with better design and functions. Here is the result.
Functions
The model is packed with many functions. First are the suspensions. Each axle has longitudinal pendular suspensions, plus an articulated roll center suspension. It enables to have certain capabilities on rough surface, even if the center articulation tends to make the rear section unstable (because no end stop).
The second function is the articulated steering. It is composed of an articulated steering operated by the hand of god in the centre (which is not really easily reachable). It also operates the rear axle which is mounted on a small turntable thanks to a linkage mechanism connected to a connecting rod and lever to the hand of god. The combination of rotating the hand of god and moving the main articulation make the connecting rod move and steer the rear axle. You can see this mechanism underneath and how it works on the video.
The next functions are pneumatic functions. First the model is equipped with motorised compressor, with the battery box located underneath the cabin and the compressor inside the engine bay under the hood. The main hose comes to the two switches on the rear side, each operates one cylinder. The first cylinder operated the main arm elevation, and the second the second section of the arm. On the first cylinder, you can note the base of the pneumatic cylinder is attached to the chassis and not mounted on the turntable. It enables me to make a compact building despite the length of the cylinder and as it is located in the center of the turntable, it can rotate. Therefore, this is the pneumatic rod which rotates inside the cylinder when operating the turntable. Lastly, the second part of the arm is equipped with a linkage mechanism which gives a high range of angular movement, enabling to have a good working area (not like the official B model and its simple arm).
On the extremity of the arm, there is a manually operated grabber, thanks to a knob knob mechanism on a friction pin, and equipped with rubber claws. As I had not enough gearing with standard Lego unit building (like 16t/16t), I have used two 20 teeth gears with a half stud assembly for the grabber. To finish, you can note that the cabin can be rotated in order that the operator is in front of the working area. It makes the cabin easy removable because only attached to a pin but add a nice value.
Design
The model is packed with nice details, such as the cabin interior, opening doors and hood, lights, and some displayed tools. But the interesting part was the compromise on the design. The model was based on a John Deere Forwarder for the main proportion and colour. but use the part of only one Lego set. The main problem was the lack of parts in only one colour, like the green or the white. The white for instance determined the way the arm was built and its length. The green for instance determined the possibilities of building for the chassis, hood and cabin. The idea was to build and place the colour in order the model looks green even if it is not totally green. Of course the fact there are two green (regular and lime) is a big limitation.
Even with that, I am very satisfied of the design and the functions. This is a recognisable forest machine, with non-bulky and colourful design and nice functions. The steering is not very easy reachable and the cabin can be removed easily, but the model is really playable and built only with one single official set which makes the building interesting. The model can be also enhanced by replacing the lime green by regular green, change black parts on the arm by white one, and add a turntable underneath the cabin to secure it.
Pictures and Video
Building Instructions
Making a model C without building instructions is a non-sense for me. So I have made building instructions ! This is a 187 pages step by step PDF instructions generated by computer, including the list of parts at each step in Lego style instructions. Regarding the quality, I have enhanced again, with a new presentation and background, white edge on black parts, and better pneumatic hose representation and placement. You can see the list of parts in pictures from the instructions :
But you can also checked it on Rebrickable and export in whatever format you want :
You can buy the instructions with the following button for 10€. You can also buy other building instructions and get an automated discount. You will get 15% off for 2 PDF, and 20% off for 3 PDF on the total), available for all the instructions for sale on nico71.fr.
See it on the shop :
42080 Model C – Forwarder
After your payment, you will be redirected to a page for downloading your instructions, and will receive also the link to download by email. Please check the spam box and be patient to receive it. If you have trouble to download your copy of the PDF after payment or open the document, do not make a paypal dispute, please contact me using the contact form. The link to download the instructions expires within 24h. Contact me if you have lost your instructions. Note that you can print it, but not copy or distribute. Thank you for supporting my work 🙂
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wow
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