Mack Anthem: Six - Only one to go

Yesterday I completed the sixth stage of the Mack Anthem Lego build and whilst it's coming out super-cool I starting to feel that slight anxiety about the fact that the building-process of this truck and trailer is almost over.

Stage six revolved around the construction of the the hydraulic cranes that will lift the shipping container on and off the trailer itself. These are not actually hydraulic on the Lego model but in real life they would be. The resemble the hydraulic arms just the like the real thing but are mechanically operated.

Below you can see one of the assembly's coming together. They were reasonably technical to build requiting some concentration and I'll be honest, I made a mistake and had to dismantle one. Yep, again.

Each of these cranes actually have two moving elements to them...The lift and tilt mechanism that lifts the container up and down, and also moves it off the trailer to the ground and vice versa. To make that work two sets of hydraulic arms are required; These are operated via a couple of wheels to the rear of the truck and a system of drive shafts, universal joints and cogs.

My mistake yesterday was that I placed one of the main lifting rams into the crane assembly upside down which meant when I operated the control wheel one wanted to go up and the other down...This didn't work of course.

An hour of disassembly and reassembly later and this issue was rectified. I didn't have to make up any new swear words this time, I simply approached it calmly understanding that I make mistakes, like everyone does. This was a particularly dumb one though.

Below you can see stage six complete and the trailer in the three stages of use.

Th left image is the cranes closed which is how they would be with no container load, or with a container on-board.

Centre is the crane in the lift position which would be when loading or unloading a container. Note the stabilising legs that extend and lock down and lock into position.

The right image is the position in which the crane would set down, or pick up, a container from the ground. In this one you can clearly see the lifting chain that will secure to the corners of the container.

I am incredibly pleased with how this truck has come together. It is really large, almost a metre long, and certainly has some presence.

My wife asked me last night about where I might put it and I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer. I may put on the top of my piano although that already has a pile of books waiting to be read and so they would have to go...There might be some shuffling around I think although to be honest that won't be an issue for a while as I'll be playing with the truck for a little while after completing it anyway. Yep, homie still plays lego y'all.

Stage seven will take place this week, the container itself. It is not a technical stage and so shouldn't take very long. That will bring the build to a conclusion and I have to say, despite a couple of hiccups with the build, it has been my favourite one so far. It's a very cool model and it has brought this truck-lovin' dude a lot of enjoyment.

Once complete I will take some photos of the truck in better light and with my camera rather than phone; I'll do a post brining it all together and to conclude the build. I hope you'll stick with me for that.

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Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
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