Well... it is not a secret nor the first time, I confess that 'Excavators' are my favorite subject to see built with LEGO TECHNIC.
Take a look at some, photographed from LEGO events as detailed below and some other sources I've been finding along the time:
![]() See more, starting here and here (Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, TLG CEO, playing with). Full external pneumatic control. Edit (2009.08.29): Found later, this to be a creation from Beat Felber, who runs the Engineering with ABS website. Find many more and a video about this model here, or the author's announcement at LUGNET. This model wasfirst built, back in 2005 to exhibit at the Suisse Toy Fair. |
![]() See more images, starting here. Edit (2009.08.29): Later I've also found this is a model from Anders Gaasedal, a well known Danish TECHNIC and Model Team builder. You may find some magnificent models at his website "LEGO Trucks and Cranes", however not this Excavator which was left as an ongoing project in Jun.2005 and never fully documented. A comment left at this post by a French builder, raised the question about origin of this excavator pneumatic cylinders. I'm not sure whether they are functional or not, however I believe they are. Likely custom made and not a LEGO prototype as I've first suggested to be one possibility in the comments section too. I have meanwhile contacted Anders, asking for more information (a video would be really nice...) about this model and its pneumatics. Edit (2009.09.03): Have meanwhile just realized ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Edit (2010.02.15): I got an answer ![]()
![]() See more about this model from here. Electric control with Power Function motors. Initial model was upgraded with PF motors and newest treads. Most photos taken before adaptation to PF motors, but also a few after! |
And off-course these other ones below, already shown here at TBs ![]() ![]() Model details here. Full external pneumatic control with external compressor. |
![]() Model details here. This model was finished and exhibited the first time in 2002 at BrickFest (Oregon, US). Full external pneumatic control with compressor placed internally to the model. |
Later Additions ![]() These were built by Dennis Bosman (another well known Dutch TECHNIC and Model Team builder) and completed respectively in 2000 and 2003. My main note about these models, would go to highlight that pneumatic cylinders are dumies made of non-LEGO plastic and aluminum pipes. Thus the way Dennis imagined to lift both excavators' boom and operate digger arms or bucket (in one model), was using ropes coiled into a motorized reel or fishing rod. If you take a close look into these models images on the right side, you will be able to find the mentioned ropes. You may also find full details about this models, at Dennis "LEGO Trucks & Heavy Equipment" website. Namely here and here respectively. |
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![]() Main characteristic of this excavator, are its 4 custom made extra long pneumatic cylinders. ![]() You may find some other photos from this model at the author's BS folder and also several demonstration videos can be seen at YouTube, from which this is an example. |
If you know any other good example, please feel free to tell me, or to add it into the comments.
Edit:
As this is still of of my favorite posts here at TBs

Also added some information meanwhile found, about Gaasedal's VOLVO model.
Last Bottom Update: 2009.Aug.29 17:24 GMT
10 comments:
It is because of marvels like this that I hope LEGO launches an excavator of their own, but in size/functions bigger than the 8149!
Sure, yet another construction vehicle may get boring, but this would be a great chance for LEGO to come up with bigger turntables (preferably with bearings) and pneumatic Power Functions elements.
Oh well, let's wait and see what is in store (or better yet, what will be in store) for us next year.
Good news! Lego are bringing out one, the 8294 - Excavator, in late 2008. I hope to see pictures of it soon. These excavator designs are fantastic - I'm considering making one of my own. I wonder, how did they get hold of so many cylinder brackets? There 2 in 8421, and 4 in 8275, but to build model with eight is just incredible.
These are GREAT news!! ;)
Wonder where did you get the info ;).
Eagerly waiting to see images of such set!
Since 1st half 2008 TECHNIC sets, are all of small size and there is still a small excavator on sale (8419), guess this would be a larger one.
Hopefully with some PF elements, and maybe new ones. Will I get the desired PF pneumatic integrated components???...
"I wonder, how did they get hold of so many cylinder brackets? There 2 in 8421, and 4 in 8275, but to build model with eight is just incredible.
"
Tj didn't use any cylinder brackets, I thin the model was completed before they even came out.
Steve
To be honest, I don't see any 'Cylinder Brackets' in these MOCs.
If they were used, the aspect should be like this,
http://www.bricklink.com/TL/961.jpg
I believe all these models should have been built before the release of such part in 2005, or they simply do not use it all.
The design used in them is somewhat similar to what LEGO used in 8460/8431/8438 Pneumatic Crane, and looks like this,
http://www.bricklink.com/SL/8438-1.jpg
or this,
http://media.peeron.com/scans/8438-1/28/
Anyway if they intend to use the 'Cylinder Brackets' you mentioned, they should be very easy to buy in large quantities at BrickLink.
http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=56211&colorID=3
Best regards,
Fernando
i think lego should build a wire-remote controlled pneumatic excavator and create longer pneumatic cylinders and pf integrated compressors and (auto) valves
I've made custom actuator
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3448184B2EEC2E36
In the VOLVO model, where he found the pneumatic actuator??
Great custom actuator and Excavator! Will write later about it in a new post.
Have some specific comments, but will leave them for the post.
Remember to to have seen a similar custom adaptation, but don't remember where anymore.
For the Volvo Excavator, believe it also uses some custom excavator. Unless it was some LEGO prototype... as it was displayed in Billund event. :-/
Well, this is going slow, but I've added a few iconic excavators into this post.
Also have found further details, about the Volvo excavator and its author, which I've added too.
Contacted the author trying to know more about the pneumatic cylinders and will let you know here, if I find something.
Tomorrow, plan to feature the CASE machine, into a new and separate post.
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